Paul didn’t choose easy places to minister and he made his way to Athens, a centre of commerce and philosophy. Here Paul met with the locals and on Mars Hill, just across from the Acropolis he would have spoken to some of the brightest minds in his day. It wasn’t easy but Paul use of tact, skill and patience gives us an example to use today in our witness and ministry.

<p>Paul didn’t choose easy places to minister and he made his way to Athens, a centre of commerce and philosophy. Here Paul met with the locals and on Mars Hill, just across from the Acropolis he would have spoken to some of the brightest minds in his day. It wasn’t easy but Paul use of tact, skill and patience gives us an example to use today in our witness and ministry.</p>

Lineage Journey

Adam Ramdin

Pentecost to Patmos

01 Pentecost to Patmos

04 Peter: Delivered From Prison

02 The Stoning of Stephen

05 Antioch: And They Were Called Christians

06 Paul & Silas: Preaching in Philippi

07 Paul & Silas: The Work in Thessaloniki & Berea

03 Paul: The Road to Damascus

08 Paul: Ministry in Athens

09 Paul: Ministry in Corinth

10 Paul: Uproar in Ephesus

11 Paul: Before Felix & Agrippa

12 Paul: Shipwrecked On Malta

13 Paul: Arrest & Trial in Rome

14 Peter: Calling, Consecration & Crucifixion

15 John: The Beloved & Patmos

The city of Athens was a metropolis of the ancient world, and when Paul arrived here, he would've seen everywhere. Statues of god's and deified. Heroes of history. The Greeks were of people who loved poetry, philosophy, sculpture, architecture with the arts and sciences both equally revered. Paul was alone when he arrived here, but despite his feelings of loneliness, he was not idle, but actively sought out seekers for truth. Paul went as his custom was to the synagogue, but also to the marketplace where he met certain philosophers of the epicuren and stoics. It is believed that here in the ancient Roman, a Agora, Paul would've come and reasoned, even though they immediately disregarded Paul's teachings. He slowly gained their respect as they'd realized that his knowledge, intellectual power, logical reasoning skills, and rhetorical skills were superior to theirs. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, he was able to meet his heroes where they were, and soon gained an opportunity to speak in one of the most sacred spots in Athens, Mars Hill. Across from the Acropolis here on Mars Hill was a place where matters connected with religion could be carefully considered away from the hustle and bustle of the marketplace. Paul would be able to speak without interruption. Paul had no doubt caused quite a stir when he came to the city, and he was now surrounded by poets, artists, philosophers, and scholars as they wanted to hear what Paul had to say, asking, what is this new doctrine and what does it all mean? As Paul prepared to speak, he sought to find some connection with his heroes and started out by talking about the altar dedicated to the unknown God. He said that they ignorantly worshiped his God, but then he started to tell them who God is, guided by the Holy Spirit. He did not needlessly irritate his listeners or directly attack their gods, but tactfully and with skill, he drew their minds away from their gods, so the true God who was unknown to them. He then shared a truth that was revolutionary at the time, and something that humanity still struggles with today, that the same God created the whole human family and that all men are created equal. Paul appealed to them saying that at times of ignorance, God winks that when we come to a fuller understanding of things, there is a greater level of accountability and God asked us to repent. Paul then pointed toward the judgment and the assurance that Jesus who was raised from the dead gives. At this point, it brought an end to Paul's speech and his labors here in Athens as some laugh, and others said they would hear him again later. Ultimately, they rejected what Paul presented, and though they boasted a refined culture and being educated, they turned their backs on what Paul taught. His work was not completely in vain. As the Bible records that one of its most prominent citizens, Dionysius, along with some others, accepted the message, even though Paul's work was not numerically successful, his labors here provide an example of how to tactfully and with skill share the message to a learned audience. Taking the simple gospel message and sharing it in a learned environment is not easy, but it's something that must be done. May we have tacked skill and patience as we witness to whomever God calls us to, whether they're rich or poor, simple or educated.

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Pentecost to Patmos

08 Paul: Ministry in Athens

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Other Teachings in Series

01 Pentecost to Patmos

04 Peter: Delivered From Prison

02 The Stoning of Stephen

05 Antioch: And They Were Called Christians

06 Paul & Silas: Preaching in Philippi

07 Paul & Silas: The Work in Thessaloniki & Berea

03 Paul: The Road to Damascus

08 Paul: Ministry in Athens

09 Paul: Ministry in Corinth

10 Paul: Uproar in Ephesus

11 Paul: Before Felix & Agrippa

12 Paul: Shipwrecked On Malta

13 Paul: Arrest & Trial in Rome

14 Peter: Calling, Consecration & Crucifixion

15 John: The Beloved & Patmos

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