Acts 17:16-34
Paul was greatly distressed to see that the city in Athens was full of idols.
Paul found an altar with this inscription: To Unknown God. He was explain they unknown God Jesus Christ to them.
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, "We want to hear you again on this subject." A few men became followers of Paul and believed.
Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone.
Paul was a strategist. He campaigned in the great cities of the Roman world. He selected centres on trade-routes, sea-ports, places where there was much coming and going. From these centres the message would run like fire far and wide. He started with Roman Asia, moved on to Greece, then set his sights on Rome, and Spain beyond.
So he comes to Athens, a city with 1000 years of history, glorying in past greatness.
In the synagogues Paul argues his case from the Jewish scriptures. Addressing the Greek philosophers in Athens he takes his cue fro a local inscription and quotes from their own writers. The message, that they must repent and believe in Jesus, whom God has raised from the dead does not change, but a different audience calls for a different presentation. Athens proves hard ground for the gospel.
Why?
Paul has strong enthusiasm to love those people who does not know the true God.
Preaching gospel need started from their familiar issues.
Kernel of gospel is the Resurrection of the dead, Jesus Christ.
Bit city usually is hard ground for the gospel, but it is good opportunity to turn people repent and believe in Jesus. The message may run like fire far and wide. What we see? it is not our capability but the capability of the Lord Almighty.
How?
I am God's offspring so my heart care many people who don't know the true God, God's power will come with me when I preaching gospel to them.
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