Preaching in the Agora

1. Monuments _of idolatry_

Acts 17:16–17 NIV84

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.

1. Monuments of idolatry

1. From synagogue to marketplace (vv. 16–17)

2. Pierced intellect _with truth_

Acts 17:18–19 NIV84

A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?

Pierced intellect with truth

3. Sobering truth among _intoxicated philosophy_

2. From theology to philosophy (vv. 18–19)

Acts 17:20–21 NIV84

You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.” (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)

3. Sobering truth among intoxicated philosophy

3. From the familiar to the unfamiliar (vv. 20–21)