The Apostle Paul is on his second missionary journey, during which he visited Galatia and Macedonia (the area we know as modern-day Turkey and Greece). He has preached the gospel, been persecuted (beaten and imprisoned), and, yet, he has seen individuals put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. By the time we get to today’s passage, we find Paul in Athens. While there, Paul proclaimed the truth about Jesus—in the synagogue and publicly, as well. Because his preaching about Jesus was controversial, he was brought to the Areopagus (called, at times, Mars Hill), where an official council of Athenians met to consider and contemplate such issues. There, before his listeners, he explained that he had seen a plethora of religious idols. Yet, even though these Athenians were very religious, they were ignorant about the True God, the Creator—and His Son, Jesus Christ! Paul also proclaimed that the Creator was calling for repentance. This faithful preacher, the Apostle Paul, pointed his listeners to the reality of a coming judgment by Jesus Christ, identifying Him as the One God had publicly confirmed His resurrection from the dead.
As you consider this week’s content, keep in mind though times may have changed, people in today’s world are not that much different than people in Paul’s Day. We live in a world which is very “religious.” Some are religious in the traditional sense. They may believe in the existence of God, though they may not really know Him (or know much about Him). Even if they know about God, they may not know Him, in a personal way, because they do not know Jesus, personally, as Savior. Others may even be religious in their rejection of God, buying into modern-day religious “idols” or philosophies which attempt to elevate human reasoning above the authority of God and His Word.
Consider the following questions as you post your reflections on this passage of Scripture (and its implications).
- Why are so many unaware of the Truth about God and His role as The Creator?
- What makes Jesus Christ different from other well-known religious leaders?What is the difference between just being “religious” and being a true Christian?
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