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Acts 17. Gospel Persuasion, Prejudice and Pride. Bithynia. Mysia. Galatia. Phrygia. Asia. Cilicia. Syria. Paul’s Second Preaching Trip Acts 15:41-18:22. The Gospel of Christ: The Apostles’ Doctrine. Gospel belongs to Christ, Rom. 1:16; Phil. 1:27
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Acts 17 Gospel Persuasion, Prejudice and Pride
Bithynia Mysia Galatia Phrygia Asia Cilicia Syria Paul’s Second Preaching Trip Acts 15:41-18:22
The Gospel of Christ:The Apostles’ Doctrine • Gospel belongs to Christ, Rom. 1:16; Phil. 1:27 • Apostles’ doctrine because they preached it, Mk. 16:15 (Jno. 20:21) • How we receive the apostles and their teaching is how we receive Christ, Jno. 13:2o • Acts 17: How people react to the gospel makes the difference between their salvation and their condemnation, cf. Luke 8:8, 18
Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9) “Jesus is the Christ” • 100 miles WSW of Philippi • “Most important seaport of Macedonia” • Idolatry: Mt. Olympus to the West • Jewish community
Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9) Resistance Jewish Prejudice
Resistance in Thessalonica:Jesus is the Christ • Reasoned from the Scriptures, 17:1-3 (2 Tim. 3:15) • Christ would suffer and rise, Luke 24:44-46 • Declared Jesus to be Son of God, Romans 1:3-4 • Conversions and Persecution, 17:4-9 • Some were persuaded (Jews and Greeks) • Some were not persuaded: Charged treason • Jason and other Christians detained – paid a peace bond and released
Resistance in Thessalonica:Jesus is the Christ • Reactions to the Gospel • Believers, 17:4; 1 Ths. 1:2-10 • Faith, love and hope, 1:3-4 • Certified gospel and convicted preachers, 1:5 (2:2-7) • Received word with joy in persecution, 1:6-7 • Faith toward God, 1:8-10 • Turned to God from idols: Repented, Acts 26:18, 20 • Wait for Jesus (patient hope), Rom. 5:1-5 • Unbelievers, 17:5-9 – Envious, violent liars
Berea (Acts 17:10-15) “Received the Word” • 50-60 miles SW of Thessalonica • Eastern slope of the Olympian Mtn. range
Berea (Acts 17:10-15) Readiness Fair-minded
Readiness in Berea:Searched the Scriptures • Fair-mindedness, 17:10-12 (Rom. 10:14, 17) • Many became believers • Envious Jews from Thessalonica, 17:13 • Unbelievers incited crowds against them • Paul taken to Athens, 17:14-15 • Silas and Timothy remained in Berea • Commanded to come quickly to Paul
Athens (Acts 17:16-34) “Very Religious” • Two miles inland; Two parallel walls built two hundred yards apart • Center of culture and philosophy (17:18) • Patron goddess Athena (Parthenon)
Athens (Acts 17:16-34) Ridicule Pride
Ridicule in Athens:The Blindness of Pride • Human wisdom and the Gospel, 17:16-21 • Teacher is provoked within, Matt. 9:36; Jer. 20:9 • The gospel and philosophy, Acts 17:18-21; 1 Cor. 1:21-25; Col. 2:8 • Idolatry and the gospel, 17:22-29 • Gospel invitation, 17:30-31 • Reactions to the gospel, 17:32-34
Mars Hill: Gospel Answers Human Philosophy and Idolatry Areopagus -Socrates on trial (399 BC) -Philosophers taught, debated there -Paul spoke of the “Unknown God”
Mars Hill: Gospel Answers Human Philosophy and Idolatry -Creative, 17:24 -Self-sustaining, 17:25 -Ruling, 17:26 -Purposeful, 17:27-28 -Merciful and authoritative, 17:29-30 -Judge, 17:31 The Unknown God
Gospel Persuasion Prejudicial Resistance Readiness of Mind Prideful Ridicule Acts 17