In Acts 17, we read that Paul spoke at Areopagus (photo) in Athens, Greece. The Athenians had worshipped many Gods and had erected temples for them, and one of the temples was dedicated to Agnostos Theos, the unknown god. Paul shares the good news with these Athenians, saying that the god they did not know but suspected all along was there was in fact the God of the Bible.
Paul goes on to say he knows that this god “gives all men life and breath(v.25)” and that he is a god who is near, “not far from each one of us (v.27).” How does he know this? According to Paul, the proof lies in the resurrection of Jesus.
This is how the good news first came to some Athenians, and for centuries this is how it came to many who would later come to know God: the simple message of the Gospels is that we have a God who is near, who loves us and gives life — and we can be confident of this truth because God raised Jesus from the dead.
We read from the same passage in Acts that some Athenians who heard Paul that day “sneered” at him and dismissed him. But we also read that there were also few who began asking, “how can this be true?” and “can you tell me more?”
What about you? How would you respond to Paul? Will you be like those who dismissed him saying “bogus,” or will you dare to ask, “how can this be true?” and “can you tell me more?”
See you at the Bible study
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