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Aug 22, 2023 · In verse 8, speaking about good works, Paul says, “These things are excellent and profitable for people.” Unlike “foolish controversies” and “quarrels about the law” (v. 9), good works help people.
In Acts 17, Paul provides a model for us in how to engage the culture respectfully. It begins with observation. Paul strolls the streets of Athens and observes the temple of the various gods he finds there.
- A. God’s Work in Thessalonica.
- B. God’s Work in Berea.
- C. God’s Work in Athens.
1. (1-4) Paul preaches in Thessalonica over three Sabbaths.
Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading wome...
2. (5-8) More mob violence against Paul and Silas.
But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying...
3. (9-10a) Paul and Silas leave Thessalonica by night.
So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. a. When they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. Jason and the others were released once they left a security deposit, to guarantee against any future riots. i. In general, Roman officials did not care what the people believed. Yet when the public order was disrupted by riots, they came down with an iron hand. If things...
1. (10b-12) More evangelistic success in the city of Berea.
When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. a. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews: In Berea, they followed their familiar strategy, and found that their audience was more fa...
2. (13-15) Paul is forced to leave Berea.
But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds. Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there. So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed. a. The Jews from Thessalonica: They were not satisfied to force Paul out of only their own city. They e...
1. (16-17) Paul is provoked to preach in the city of Athens.
Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols. Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there. a. Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him: The sense is that Paul would have preferred to wait until Timothy and Silas came from Berea before he began ministry in Athens. But when...
2. (18-21) The novelty of his message earns Paul an invitation to preach at the intellectual center of the city, the Areopagus.
Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, “What does this babbler want to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods,” because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection. And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak? For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what these things mean.” For all the Athenians and the foreigners...
3. (22-23) Paul begins to speak on Mars’ Hill (the Areopagus).
Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: a. Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious: Paul did not begin with an exposition of Scripture, which was his custom when dealin...
Works in this context does appear to refer more broadly to our acts of religious devotion in general. Paul’s statement in Ephesians that we are saved “by grace” and “not of works” teaches the doctrine that ultimately, even our faith-driven efforts to live the gospel do not save us—it is Jesus Christ who saves us.
Nov 23, 2020 · Paul reminds those who are in Christ how they are to walk (3:12), bearing one another, freely forgiving, loving one another by the peace of Christ that rules in their hearts. As a result of this he says to “be thankful” (3:15b).
Feb 25, 2020 · Luke carefully chronicled Paul’s three missionary journeys in the Book of Acts. Beginning in Acts 13 through the end of that book, Paul becomes the central figure. And Luke’s record of Paul’s ministry is breathtaking. Paul’s influence was profound wherever he set foot.
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Sep 3, 2019 · In Paul’s case, his misguided zeal in support of the religion of his people led him to horrible acts, including murder of Christians. Let’s read it in his own words: “I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it” (Galatians 1:13).
