To the unknown god

Paul in Athens

Acts 17:16 NASB95

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.

Acts 17:16 NASB95

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.

Silas and Timothy

Peterronius, one of the ancient historians, said that is was easier to find a god in Athens than a man! Estimated 30,000.

Parthenon

Athena Nike

Sanctuary of Zeus

Acts 17:18 NASB95

And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were conversing with him. Some were saying, “What would this idle babbler wish to say?” Others, “He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities,”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.

Epicureans (atheist) Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow you shall die.

Stoic - Grin and bear it.

Areopagus (Mars hill)

Acts 17:22–31 NASB95

So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’ Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”

Acts 22

Paul took the time to know his audience

To and Unknown God

Spirit Provoked/very religious in all respects

Paul started with the basics

From one man

College speech class -

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth

Albert Einstein

Paul called all men to repent

Acts 17:

Acts 17:30 NASB95

Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent,

To change direction, agree with God

Paul preached Jesus

Acts 17:

Acts 17:31 NASB95

because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”

We don’t control the outcome

Acts 17:32

Acts 17:32–34 NASB95

Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, “We shall hear you again concerning this.” So Paul went out of their midst. But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.