In Athens

Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.

Acts 17:16-21

Paul is not one to idle his time. Luke is telling us that Paul was actively seeking a way to preach the gospel to the Athenians. And, it wasn’t long until Paul’s spirit within him was provoked by the plethora of idols throughout Athens. So, Paul reasoned with the Jews in the synagogue on the Sabbath and with any Greeks, in the marketplace, who would listen to him during the week. Now, some of the Greeks in the marketplace were Stoics and Epicureans who mused about Paul’s babbling of Jesus and resurrection. So, they invited Paul to the Aeropagus where philosophers gathered to discuss everything, especially new religions. In this Aeropagus, only discussions were made. No one there worked or earned a living at the Aeropagus. So, Paul had a captive audience for they wanted to hear of any “new religion.” We will deal with Paul’s message to these philosophers another day. For now, Christians today face many who say they are “religious” but they do not attend any organized religious services or darken the door of any church. Like the ancient Athenians, these “religious” people are only interested in an outward appearance of piety without the duties and responsibilities of an organized religion. Whether one is saved or not, God is the owner and ruler of the universe all humanity exists in. He has set forth the only way to eternal life with Him and, if He is rejected by anyone, He judges and sentences them to the fires of Hell God created for Satan and his demons. So, the choice for any one human is to accept the Grace and Love offered by God through His Only Begotten Son, Jesus or, reject God’s free gift and be consigned to Hell where there is no fellowship with other sinners, no abatement of misery and pain, no annihilation of the spirit and, no hope. The unrepentant in Hell will be there for eternity reliving every sin they every committed over and over and over again. If you are not a Christian, I beg you this day to be reconciled to the God of all creation for He will save your soul if you will but call upon the name of Jesus and repent of your sins.

Source: S C Ball July 19, 2023