Acts 17
by Pastor Mark Hudson
In Acts 17, Luke introduces different cities and settings which call for different approaches and distinct sermons. As you read through Acts, look for the factors that set one sermon or experience apart. Ask yourself, “Why did Luke include this sermon (and not hundreds of others)? Luke is not just reporting mere facts but his history of the early church is theological history. Luke is teaching us through these events. The Holy Spirit has reasons why these sermons are included.
Luke continues reciting a variety of reactions to the gospel. At almost every preaching or teaching event someone believes. There is almost always some who reject the gospel. And there are others who do not commit one way or the other (or so they think). Not deciding if continued for one’s entire life is the same, in some ways, as outright rejection. Watch not only rejection but read carefully how Acts and the other NT authors write about unbelief. There is an entire theological understanding to unbelief. The various authors of the New Testament present a rather complex understanding of unbelief that is fascinating to follow.
Luke shows different approaches to preaching depending on the audience. In the first sermon, Paul cites Scripture from the Old Testament “explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.’” Some did believe yet we see a violent reaction against Paul. The Jews thought the gospel only brings loss to the Jews and they were ready to kill to prevent that loss. Reflect how dangerous believing in the gospel can be then and now. Christians all over the world are in jail, hunted down, and murdered in many countries. I listened to a podcast of Christians in China who endure suffering and when jailed or suffering they spend most of their time repenting of the sins not bemoaning their imprisonment.
In chapter 17, we will see some of the same things (preaching at the synagogue first, responses of belief or unbelief. We will sadly read of intense violence against believers. In chapter 17, we are on a journey with the apostles to Thessalonica where Paul preaches for 3 Sabbaths. Notice the words Luke is piling up that suggest a reasonable and rational faith. Looking at the ESV in v. 2,
he (Paul) reasoned with them from the Scripture
Explaining
Proving
Mark Twain once said, “Having faith is believing in something you just know ain’t true.” This is exactly the opposite of how faith is described in the Bible. Christianity is rational, not against reason. We encourage people to think and ponder what the Bible says. In fact, the Bereans were commended for comparing what Paul taught with the Bible’s teaching. We want people to know why they should not sin and why they should live for the glory of God. We are called to love God with our minds (Matt. 22:37).
In verse 5 and following, notice that those who aid and assist the spread of the gospel can also be persecuted. This is what the author of Hebrews reminds his readers in 10:32ff. Hebrews reminds the believers that if you visit a fellow Christian in jail, the authorities can follow you as your return home. And then if these same authorities plunder your property, you are to be joyful, “since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.” You could keep your distance. That would be safer for you but not helpful to your brothers/sisters in jail. Yet, in seeing their homes set on fire or things destroyed, these believers were joyful. Joyful. Now that is deep, sincere, and genuine faith.
Skipping down to Paul’s time in Athens as he is waiting for his team, Paul is provoked that the people of Athens worship every so-called god but the true God: the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ is not worshipped in Athens. Again, Paul reasons with the people. I imagine him speaking and fielding questions. He may have also asked them questions. The people in Athens had little respect for Paul’s ideas. The Epicurean and Stoic philosophers called him a seed-picker or a gutter sparrow. “One who picks up scraps in the marketplace, a worthless character, a loafer. . . . One who picks up scraps of learning here and there and purveyed them where he could” (Bruce, Acts. p. 351, note 20). That is the ad hominem abusive argument: don’t argue about the ideas a speaker offers, just attack the person. Luke doesn’t seem to show much regard for the Areopagus or the people “who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.”
Observe that Paul starts where they are. So, in this venue, Paul does not begin with the Scripture but general observation. Of course, all that Paul says about God is true. He rebukes their constant idolatry, call them to repentance, warns them about the coming judgment and proclaims the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Clearly, this would not be a sermon to preach in the synagogue nor would a synagogue sermon fit in Athens.
Our dear, loving heavenly Father, we interact with so many different people. Help us to listen, discern, and tell them the simple truth. We will never be as gifted as Paul, but we are not called to be anyone but ourselves. We love the unbelievers around us and want them to experience the hope we possess and the joy we experience now. We want them to be forgiven like we were. We want them to worship You, the only true, eternal, just, and righteous God. Do a work in us so we live humbly before You and seek ways to tell others about Christ. In His holy name, the Lord Jesus. Amen.