In today’s reading, Paul is speaking before the Areopagus of Athens. If anyone is curious, the Areopagus was a rock outcropping in Athens and what the later rulers of Athens were called. Paul is brought before them and gives what is one of my favorite speeches of Acts. Paul observed the Athenians and their city as he was there and saw the immense amount of temples and idols that they worshiped. He explains to them the unknown god they worship is really the God who made the world and that He does not live in temples or need to be served because He has given to mankind everything they have. He explains to them that this God cannot be made into an idol created by human imagination. The unknown God can now be known.

Paul goes on to tell them that the time of ignorance has passed and that all people everywhere are being called to repent. When the Holy Spirit came to mankind, we became able to know and be known by the living God. Not an idol, but the Creator God. That is the biggest blessing we can have. Though Paul was mocked for his speech, he still spoke the Good News, and because of it the Gospel spread and another person was able to be filled with the Spirit. The outpouring continues.

[Acts 17.16-21]

17.22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for

“‘In him we live and move and have our being’;

as even some of your own poets have said,

“‘For we are indeed his offspring.’

29 Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33 So Paul went out from their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What causes Paul’s spirit to be provoked?

+ Why did Paul get brought before the Areopagus?

+ How did Paul use the surrounding culture to spread the Gospel?

+ What were the reactions of the Areopagus to Paul?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ What are the “Idols made of gold and silver” in our lives?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?