Paul proclaimed that Jesus was raised from the dead.  He proclaimed this message in Athens, a city filled with idols and philosophers and people who wanted to “hear something new.”  (Acts 17:16-21) Paul used an altar “TO AN UNKNOWN GOD” to proclaim God: God the Creator (Acts 17:24-25) God the Giver of life (Acts […]

  Paul was in Athens.  He observed the many idols throughout that city and found an altar dedicated “TO AN UNKNOWN GOD”.  He used the altar to proclaim the God Who raised Jesus from the dead.  How did those philosophers and others in the crowd react?  As can be expected, there were mixed reactions. (NASB) […]

  Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus in Athens.  He told them what he had observed as he walked about Athens.  He saw how religious the Athenians were because they had many idols throughout the city.  He saw an altar dedicated “TO AN UNKNOWN GOD”.  Then Paul began his message with that altar.  […]

Epicureans – “…materialistic view of existence was intended, negatively, to free people from anxiety regarding death and the gods; death is the end of everything and, therefore, is nothing to be feared.”  Paul’s message “of divine judgment and resurrection was contrary to their beliefs.”  “The Eerdmans Bible Dictionary”  pages 344-345 Stoics – “In Stoicism the […]

The prayer of the week is based on Matthew 28:6 Lord Jesus, You did die, You were buried in a tomb for three days.  Then, miracle of miracles, You were raised to life.  Your body was raised from the grave and You live – today! A messenger from God proclaimed that astounding statement to some […]

  Paul was in Athens, alone.  He was waiting for Silas and Timothy to come.  Paul didn’t sit in a room somewhere to wait.  As he walked about the city he saw idols, many idols.  Paul’s spirit was grieved, distressed and roused to anger.  (Acts 17:16) What provokes you?  What causes you distress, grief and […]

  Paul “planted” a church in Berea.  The Jewish congregation was “noble-minded” and listened to Paul.  They compared the Scriptures with what Paul proclaimed and many believed Jesus to be the prophesied Messiah.  Not only the Jews; the Gentiles also responded to the Good News found in Jesus Christ. (Acts 17:11-12) Then trouble arrived — […]

  Paul, Silas and Timothy left Thessalonica under duress.  They traveled to Berea and were warmly received by the Jewish congregation. The Bereans “were more noble-minded than those at Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether” Paul was in line with Scripture when he proclaimed Jesus […]

  Paul and Silas left Thessalonica by night because of jealous Jews stirring up mobs against them.  (Acts 17:5-10) They traveled to Berea and according to Paul’s custom, they found a Jewish synagogue.  Paul proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah according to Scripture.  (The Scripture was the Old Testament.) What did Paul teach and proclaim? Messiah […]

When Paul was on the road to Damascus to persecute Christians, he was confronted by the Lord Jesus in a vision.  “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.”  (NASB Acts 9:5-6) In Damascus, Ananias was told to go […]