The misunderstanding of man

Introduction

Acts 13-14 First Missionary Journey

Acts 15 The return to antioch (Jolly)

Acts 16-18 Second Missionary Journey

Acts 16:4–5 “Now while they were passing through the cities, they were delivering the decrees which had been decided upon by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem, for them to observe. So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily.”

Conversions In Europe (Acts 16:14-40)

Lydia

Slave girl

Jailer

Paul in Athens Acts 17:16-34.

The account of Paul’s visit to Athens is one of the most popular passages in Acts. John Polhill comments, “Paul’s brief visit to Athens is a centerpiece for the entire book of Acts” (Acts, 365). Indeed, it gives us insight into the heart and ministry of Paul, thereby providing us with important lessons for engaging unbelievers today

Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Acts (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2017), 242–243.

1. The Prompting of the Holy Spirit. (v. 16)

“His Spirit was being provoked within Him”

Acts 13:2–3 “While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”

Acts 16:6–10 “They passed through the Phrygian (fridgean) and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; and after they came to Mysia (my/cee/a), they were trying to go into Bithynia (bith/in/ea), and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas (Tro/az). A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.”

Acts 17:16 “Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols.”

“the city was full of idols”

2. The Places we are called to go. (v. 17-21)

Acts 17:17 “So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be present.”

Synagogue (misunderstanding of church people)

Acts 17:1–3 “Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis (am/Phil/poll/us) and Apollonia (apple/on/ya), they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.””

Marketplace (reaching the masses)

Worldview - a comprehensive conception of the world from a specific standpoint.

Christian Worldview - a comprehensive conception of the world from a Christian standpoint.

Two worldviews - Epicurians and Stoics

Epicurian - Epicureans were materialists. They believed the body and even the soul were composed of fine matter, which dissolves after death. They believed the gods to be totally indifferent to human actions. Epicureans didn’t believe in divine providence. And they considered a person who neither feared divine judgment nor awaited eternal reward to be wise. The best way to imitate the gods, for the Epicureans, was to enjoy pleasure—not gross idolatry but pleasure itself. “You only live once” and “If it feels good, do it” capture a bit of their spirit. They pursued detached and tranquil life apart from pain and in pursuit of pleasure—an approach to existence that they felt reflected the lifestyle of the gods. Today we use the term epicurean to refer to things like fine food and wine or to describe a person who has luxurious tastes and habits

Stoic - pantheists (worship that admits or tolerates all gods). They thought a divine principle was immersed in all of nature, including humans. This spark of divinity, the logos, was the cohesive rational principle that bound the entire cosmic order together. They confused God with the “world soul” and thought the world was determined by fate. For them, a wise person recognized his connection with everything else in the universe, cultivating an attitude of self-sufficient contentment, regardless of circumstances. A Stoic lived with a stiff upper lip, responding calmly to everything. To pursue his highest good, he lived by reason. Stoics saw history as an unending cycle of order, followed by chaos, followed by order. They would applaud Paul’s emphasis on God’s nearness but would reject the notion that history was moving to a culminating point (Johnson, Let’s Study Acts, 219–20). The phrase que sera sera (“what will be, will be”) captures the spirit of Stoicism.

In other words, one group said, “If it feels good, do it; there are no consequences,” while the other group said, “Grin and bear it; there’s nothing you can do about it anyway.” Both worldviews were hopeless and meaningless.

3. The Proclomation of the Truth. (vv. 22-34)

Areopagus (Airy/opp/a/gus) - Northwest of the city of Athens, Greece, is a small hill covered in stone seats. This area was once used as a forum for the rulers of Athens to hold trials, debate, and discuss important matters. This location was called Areopagus, a combination of the Greek words for “god of war” and “stone”: the Areopagus is literally “Ares’ Rock.” The equivalent to Ares in Roman mythology is Mars. By the time of Paul and the early Christian church, this location was under Roman control, so the spot was known as Mars Hill. The older Greek term, Areopagus, was still used in Paul’s day, mostly in reference to the council that met there. When Paul gave his famous address on Mars Hill, one could say this occurred both “at” the Areopagus and “in front of” the Areopagus. For the most part, however, the term Areopagus as used in Acts chapter 17 refers to the group of Athenian leaders and thinkers who met on the hill.

John 8:31–32 “So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.””

Who God is (vv. 22-29)

Romans 1:18–23 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.”

Judgment is coming (vv. 30-31)

Romans 2:4–8 “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to each person according to his deeds: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.”

Jesus (vv. 31-32)

Romans 5:1–8 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Conclusion

Romans 6:18–23 “and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

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