Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for January 14, 2018

“Making Known the ‘Unknown’”   Acts 17:22-34   Bible Study 01/14/18

Our text this morning records the content of Paul’s gospel presentation to the Gentile intelligentsia of ancient Athens. After leaving Philippi (16:40), Paul enjoyed fruitful ministry in Thessalonica and Berea, but not without increasing opposition from the Jews in both places. Now, we find Paul, some 200 miles from Berea, in Athens, a city considered at the highest level of culture and learning in the ancient world. Paul’s presentation of the gospel here is both conciliatory and confrontational. As such, it provides a healthy model for believers today as they seek to share the gospel in a post-modern world.

I. Setting

• Paul’s spirit “provoked” by idols
• Epicureans and Stoics
• Jesus and the resurrection
• invitation to the Areopagus
• the Athenian “hobby’

II. Conciliation (22-23a)

• bridge-building perception of Paul
• 30,000 statues, 1 to an AGNOSTO god

III. Declaration (23b-29)

• emphasis on God’s roles as Creator and Sustainer
• from one man every nation
• general revelation
• use of Greek poetry references
• truth about the true God

IV. Confrontation (30-31)

• God’s forbearance
• summons to repent
• designation of a day of judgment
• designation of the Judge

V. Appropriation (32-34)

• a split-decision
• some believe
• male and female

VI. So What?

• Because God summons all people to seek refuge in His Son, rid yourself of idols and rely on God’s final revelation of Himself.
• “The dearest idol I have known, What’er that idol be, Help me to tear it from Thy throne, And worship only Thee.” (Cowper)
• Rest in the refuge found only in God’s Son.
• Relay the message of accountability to the one true and “knowable” God.