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Paul in Athens

Paul in Athens. Giving the Gospel to the World. Acts 17:22-34. Athens– the great metropolis and center of intellect for Greece and Rome Oldest settled city in Greece Part of the Mycenaean Empire Home to the Acropolis 900BC forward found Athens to be the major trade center in the Med.

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Paul in Athens

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  1. Paul in Athens Giving the Gospel to the World

  2. Acts 17:22-34 • Athens– the great metropolis and center of intellect for Greece and Rome • Oldest settled city in Greece • Part of the Mycenaean Empire • Home to the Acropolis • 900BC forward found Athens to be the major trade center in the Med

  3. Acts 17:22-34 • Athens in Rome • Center of education and intellect • Greece lost power after the Peloponnesian war • Home of the Parthenon in 500 BC • 88-85 BC Rome conquered Greece and destroyed many of the key buildings of Athens • Roma ns admired the educational intent of Athens, so allowed the city to remain free and to be a center of education.

  4. Acts 17:22-34 • When Paul arrived, the city was divided among a number of philosophies. • The epicureans believed that life should be enjoyed, that emotional and physical pleasure were worth pursuing • The stoics believed that the life of the mind and denial of emotion and physical pleasure led to true human happiness • Stoics had a strict code of ethics; the epicureans did not

  5. Acts 17:22-34 • These were not the only philosophies in Athens • A large Jewish community was there, with a large synagogue. This synagogue was destroyed by 400 AD • Socratics and other philosophers • The temple dedicated to all the gods was more a center of political correctness than a true center of worship. Offend no one, believe everyone.

  6. Acts 17:22-34 • Paul’s Sermon • Notice that he had paid attention to the statues • Notice that he bases his argument on their philosophy • Notice that he leads them to Christ based on what they would know. • Notice also that he took advantage of every opportunity to witness • 17:26. Numerous doctrines to draw from this verse. Nations are ordained and have a lifespan

  7. Acts 17:22-34 • Paul’s Sermon • He points out that God had given man free time to find Him, but now He has called all men to account (30) • He also declares that GOD is real– not a work of hands. • He declares that Jesus– the God-Man, came to redeem. • This is the Gospel in its finest form.

  8. Acts 17:22-34 • Paul’s Sermon • The impact of this was controversy– Jesus had promised it. • Paul makes many friends here. • Now, the letters to Thessalonica and Corinth will come later, but let us see what we can learn from these letters.

  9. Acts 17:22-34 • Thessalonians • These letters outline Paul’s doctrine about persecution of the Church, moral conduct among Christians, and teachings about the return of Christ • The second book focused more on defeating the heresies of Judaizers, Greeks and others. • Both books offer a strong defense of Paul’s work and mission.

  10. Acts 17:22-34 • The Corinthian Letters • I Corinthians focuses on the moral nature of the Church • Paul begins by addressing divisions in the CHURCH, and calls for members to recognize that they are one body • He moves to discussions of moral behavior, especially marriage • Corinth is typically Greek, so these are key issues

  11. Acts 17:22-34 • Corinthians • I Corinthians continues by discussing idols • And then discussed public worship, including the role of women, offering the Lord’s Supper, and the use of gifts • II Corinthians continues this theme • He discusses the Church’s support for other churches in difficult times • His teaching on restored fellowship (II Cor 2:7) shows that the Church is different from our normal attitudes

  12. Acts 17:22-34 • Is there a way to be angry and still be Christian? • What got Paul so angry? • How did Paul uses circumstances to be a witness? • Should we avoid a witness if we know it is going to cause an uproar? • What is the heart of Paul’s argument?

  13. Memory Verse • Acts 17:11 • These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

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