Gospel Persuasion, Prejudice and Pride

Acts

17

GALATIA

MYSIA

BITHYNIA

ASIA

PHRYGIA

Paul’s Second Preaching Trip Acts

15:41-18:22

SYRIA

CILICIA

2

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

3

Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9)

4

• 100 miles WSW of Philippi• “Most important seaport of Macedonia”• Idolatry: Mt. Olympus to the West• Jewish community

Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9)

5

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 released6

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

7

Berea (Acts 17:10-15)

8

• 50-60 miles SW of Thessalonica• Eastern slope of the Olympian Mtn. range

Berea (Acts 17:10-15)

9

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 10

Athens (Acts 17:16-34)

11

• 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)

12

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

13

Mars Hill: Gospel Answers Human Philosophy and Idolatry

AREOPAGUS

-Socrates on trial (399 BC)-Philosophers taught, debated there-Paul spoke of the “Unknown God”

14

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

15

The Unknown God

Gospel Persuasion

16

Prejudicial Resistance

Readiness of Mind

Prideful Ridicule

Acts 17