Tag: Acts 17
Gospel truth declared!
Scripture reading for May 28: Acts 17
“Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent, because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a Man Whom He has appointed; and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead.” Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.”” Acts 17:29-32
Paul confronted the idol worshipers in Athens, a city full of idols. He first reasoned with them every day. Part of this reasoning was to have them look at themselves and listen to their own poets who declared that they were ‘God’s offspring’. Their bodies were fearfully and wonderfully made. They were not made of gold or silver or precious stones like the idols that their artisans had crafted. Worship of idols was a sign of great ignorance about the nature of God and His offspring.
Paul went on to call them all to repent–change their mind and dispel ignorance by believing the Truth. Worshiping idols broke God’s law and was not loving God with all heart, soul, mind and strength. God had appointed a Man–Jesus Christ, as the standard of judgment for all men, Jew or Gentile. In Jesus was perfect righteousness which God demonstrated by His resurrection from the dead. This Gospel declaration brought two responses initially. Some mocked in unbelief and refusal to repent. Others were drawn to want to hear more, knowing that there was something that they wanted.
How did you respond when someone who believed in Jesus Christ shared truth with you of your need to repent? When we share with others, are we responsible for the outcome? Knowing Jesus had warned them that they would be rejected, mocked and even killed, what motivated them to speak boldly?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for bold witnesses who are fearless and full of faith to share the Good News. Thank You for sending them to me in my youth. My love for You and others who are lost moves me to ask You daily for open doors and for boldness to share, even with those opposing truth. Amen.
The Awesome God of Creation!
Scripture reading for May 27th: Acts 17
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Acts 17:24-28 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man He made every nation of men that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.”
Paul ministered to the intellectuals of Athens by telling them about the God who created the heavens and the earth. He told them about the omnipotence and omniscience of this Creator God, who was very near to each one of us. He also told them that this God had placed each person in the geographical location He desired and given the time allotted for them. Paul said that God did this so that men would seek Him and reach out to Him! These truths are often veiled from unbelievers but can serve to open their hearts to the God who alone is worthy of worship!
Observations for over-comers: Sharing with intellectuals about the One True God will help to open their hearts. Remember that God has already revealed Himself to each person through nature and conscience. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” (Psalm 19:1-4)
Repent! A day of Judgment is coming!
Scripture reading for May 28th: Acts 17
Paul and Silas took the Gospel to Athens, a center of culture and progressive thought. After going to the Jews and reasoning with them in their synagogue, they went to the marketplace and community. There was a meeting place there called the Areopagus where intellectuals and philosophers gathered to discuss the latest new ideas. Paul and Silas were invited to come and present their ‘new ideas’ before this group!
Paul spoke up, “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown, I am going to proclaim to you. “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth: and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.” . . . but now He commands all people everywhere to repent. For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising Him from the dead.” (Acts 17:22-26, 30-31)
Paul proclaimed God as creator and the One who is author of all life. He called these intellectuals to change their thinking–repent! He warned of a coming judgment and told of Christ’s resurrection! This Gospel is needed today in America!