The pagan world is growing. Many people see religion as basically equal and teaching the same thing. Those who do not accept a religion are seen as intolerant. We are to raise the standard and look for others to follow. In this passage Paul was in Athens. It was the cultural and philosophical centre of the known world. It was also the centre of many religions. You will experience challenges to your faith:-

1 – Superstitious Idolatry (vs. 22-23)

There was 30,000 different gods in Athens. We have more today. An idol is anything you love and trust more than God. Idolatry transgresses the first and greatest commandment – to love the Lord God with all your heart and mind. For example:-

• Materialism. Money is their god. You care more about material things – your possessions. You are never satisfied with enough. The porn industry worships the god of materialism. The gambling industry serves the god of materialism.
• Drunkenness. We now have 24 hour opening hours for pubs and most of our hospital emergency patients are alcoholics.
• Sex. There are numerous porn magazines and TV channels.
• Violence. Look at some of the video games our people play.

See Romans 1:24. It is far easier to blaspheme God than say something against another person. We worship the creator less than the creature.

2 – Self-righteous Orthodoxy (vs. 17)

Paul debated with the religious people. They were respectable sinners who did not know Jesus. They were self-righteous. This sterile orthodoxy is with us today.

3 – Sophisticated Philosophy (vs. 18)

These people see themselves as intellectual giants and some of them where. Philosophy is a love on knowledge. Many philosophers have been disillusioned with philosophy.

• There was the philosophy of pleasure. E.g. Epicurean. You base things on your own experiences. It is eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow you die.
• There was the philosophy of pride. E.g. Stoics. It was a form of fatalism. We don’t have real choices. We are caught up in it. Life has no real meaning. They smirked at those who thought they had an answer.

4 – You can express confidence in your faith (vs. 19-34)

Paul is on Mar’s Hill and he takes the opportunity to give an answer to these false religions and philosophy. Paul can see that they are trying to “cover all the bases”. They had every conceivable god. Paul mentions the one true God.

• God is the God of creative power (vs. 24). He stands distinct from his creation. There is no “mother earth”.
• He is the God of personal love (vs. 26-27). He loves mankind and hates idolatry. Everyone has a desire in their heart to seek God.
• He is the God of supernatural salvation (vs. 31-34). Paul is not afraid to preach the resurrection of Jesus Christ. You should expect converts to your faith when you share it. There will be those who mock you but there are always a few who will listen and believe.

Categories: Acts