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Acts Chapter
Seventeen
Acts 17
In the last case it was the power exercised by the enemy
over the passions of the Gentiles that caused the persecution of the apostles:
at Thessalonica we again find the old and universal enmity of the Jews.
Nevertheless many Jews and proselytes received the gospel. After a tumult there
also
the apostles go away to Berea. There the Jews are more noble; what they
hear
they examine by the word of God. Through this a great number among them
believed. Nevertheless the Jews of Thessalonica
jealous of the progress the
gospel made
go over to Berea. Paul leaves the city and passes on to Athens.
Silas and Timothy remain for the moment at Berea
Paul being the special object
of the Jews' pursuit. At Athens
although he resorted to the synagogue
yet
his spirit stirred at the sight of the universal idolatry in that idle city
he
disputes daily in public with their philosophers; consequent on these
interviews
he proclaims the true God to the chief men of that intellectual
capital. He had sent word to Silas and Timothy to join him there.
With a people like the Athenians-such is the effect of intellectual
cultivation without God-he has to come down to the lowest step in the ladder of
truth. He sets forth the oneness of God
the Creator
and the relationship of
man to Him
declaring also that Jesus will judge the world
of which God had
given proof by raising Him up from the dead. With the exception of the judgment
of this world being put in place of the promises respecting the return of
Jesus
we might think it was Peter addressing the Jews. We must not imagine
that the historian relates everything that Paul said. What is given is his
defence
not his preaching. The Holy Ghost gives us that which characterised
the manner in which the apostle met the circumstances of those he addressed.
That which remained on the minds of his first hearers was that he preached
Jesus and the resurrection. It appears even that some took the resurrection
as
well as Jesus
to be a God. It is
indeed
the basis of Christianity
which is
founded on Jesus personally
and the fact of His resurrection; but it is only
the basis.
I have said that we are reminded here of Peter's
preaching. I mean as to the degree of height in his doctrine with regard to
Christ. We shall observe
at the same time
the appropriateness of the
application of facts in either case to the persons addressed. Peter set forth
the rejected Christ ascended on high
ready to return on the repentance of the
Jews
and who would establish at His coming all things of which the prophets
had spoken. Here the judgment of the world-sanction of the truth to the natural
conscience-is presented to the learned men
and to the inquisitive people;
nothing that could interest their philosophic minds
but a plain and convincing
testimony to the folly of their idolatry
according even to that which the
natural conscience of their own poets had acknowledged.
The dishonest gain
to which Satan ministered
opportunity
met the gospel at Philippi; the hardness and moral indifference of
knowledge that flattered human vanity
at Athens; at Thessalonica
the efforts
of Jewish jealousy. The gospel goes on its way
victorious over the one
yielding to the effect of another
and
after laying bare to the learned
Athenians all that their condition tolerated
leaving them
and finding
amid
the luxury and the depraved manners of the wealthy city of Corinth
a numerous
people to bringinto the assembly. Such are the ways of God
and the exercises
of His devoted servant led by the Holy Ghost.
We may notice
that this energy
which seeks the
Gentiles
never loses sight of the favour of God towards His elect people-a
favour that sought them until they rejected it.
── John Darby《Synopsis of Acts》
Acts 17
Chapter Contents
Paul at Thessalonica. (1-9) The noble conduct of the
Bereans. (10-15) Paul at Athens. (16-21) He preaches there. (22-31) The
scornful conduct of the Athenians. (32-34)
Commentary on Acts 17:1-9
(Read Acts 17:1-9)
The drift and scope of Paul's preaching and arguing
was
to prove that Jesus is the Christ. He must needs suffer for us
because he
could not otherwise purchase our redemption for us; and he must needs have
risen again
because he could not otherwise apply the redemption to us. We are
to preach concerning Jesus that he is Christ; therefore we may hope to be saved
by him
and are bound to be ruled by him. The unbelieving Jews were angry
because the apostles preached to the Gentiles
that they might be saved. How
strange it is
that men should grudge others the privileges they will not
themselves accept! Neither rulers nor people need be troubled at the increase
of real Christians
even though turbulent spirits should make religion the
pretext for evil designs. Of such let us beware
from such let us withdraw
that we may show a desire to act aright in society
while we claim our right to
worship God according to our consciences.
Commentary on Acts 17:10-15
(Read Acts 17:10-15)
The Jews in Berea applied seriously to the study of the
word preached unto them. They not only heard Paul preach on the sabbath
but
daily searched the Scriptures
and compared what they read with the facts
related to them. The doctrine of Christ does not fear inquiry; advocates for
his cause desire no more than that people will fully and fairly examine whether
things are so or not. Those are truly noble
and likely to be more and more so
who make the Scriptures their rule
and consult them accordingly. May all the
hearers of the gospel become like those of Berea
receiving the word with
readiness of mind
and searching the Scriptures daily
whether the things
preached to them are so.
Commentary on Acts 17:16-21
(Read Acts 17:16-21)
Athens was then famed for polite learning
philosophy
and the fine arts; but none are more childish and superstitious
more impious
or more credulous
than some persons
deemed eminent for learning and ability.
It was wholly given to idolatry. The zealous advocate for the cause of Christ
will be ready to plead for it in all companies
as occasion offers. Most of
these learned men took no notice of Paul; but some
whose principles were the
most directly contrary to Christianity
made remarks upon him. The apostle ever
dwelt upon two points
which are indeed the principal doctrines of
Christianity
Christ and a future state; Christ our way
and heaven our end.
They looked on this as very different from the knowledge for many ages taught
and professed at Athens; they desire to know more of it
but only because it
was new and strange. They led him to the place where judges sat who inquired
into such matters. They asked about Paul's doctrine
not because it was good
but because it was new. Great talkers are always busy-bodies. They spend their
time in nothing else
and a very uncomfortable account they have to give of
their time who thus spend it. Time is precious
and we are concerned to employ
it well
because eternity depends upon it
but much is wasted in unprofitable
conversation.
Commentary on Acts 17:22-31
(Read Acts 17:22-31)
Here we have a sermon to heathens
who worshipped false
gods
and were without the true God in the world; and to them the scope of the
discourse was different from what the apostle preached to the Jews. In the
latter case
his business was to lead his hearers by prophecies and miracles to
the knowledge of the Redeemer
and faith in him; in the former
it was to lead
them
by the common works of providence
to know the Creator
and worship Him.
The apostle spoke of an altar he had seen
with the inscription
"TO THE
UNKNOWN GOD." This fact is stated by many writers. After multiplying their
idols to the utmost
some at Athens thought there was another god of whom they
had no knowledge. And are there not many now called Christians
who are zealous
in their devotions
yet the great object of their worship is to them an unknown
God? Observe what glorious things Paul here says of that God whom he served
and would have them to serve. The Lord had long borne with idolatry
but the
times of this ignorance were now ending
and by his servants he now commanded
all men every where to repent of their idolatry. Each sect of the learned men
would feel themselves powerfully affected by the apostle's discourse
which
tended to show the emptiness or falsity of their doctrines.
Commentary on Acts 17:32-34
(Read Acts 17:32-34)
The apostle was treated with more outward civility at
Athens than in some other places; but none more despised his doctrine
or
treated it with more indifference. Of all subjects
that which deserves the
most attention gains the least. But those who scorn
will have to bear the
consequences
and the word will never be useless. Some will be found
who
cleave to the Lord
and listen to his faithful servants. Considering the
judgement to come
and Christ as our Judge
should urge all to repent of sin
and turn to Him. Whatever matter is used
all discourses must lead to Him
and
show his authority; our salvation
and resurrection
come from and by Him.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Acts》
Acts 17
Verse 2
[2] And
Paul
as his manner was
went in unto them
and three sabbath days reasoned
with them out of the scriptures
And Paul
according to his custom — Of doing all things
as far as might be
in a regular manner
went in to
them three Sabbath days - Not excluding the days between.
Verse 4
[4] And some of them believed
and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the
devout Greeks a great multitude
and of the chief women not a few.
Of the principal women
not a few — Our free thinkers pique themselves upon observing
that women are more
religious than men; and this
in compliment both to religion and good manners
they impute to the weakness of their understandings. And indeed as far as
nature can go
in imitating religion by performing the outward acts of it
this
picture of religion may make a fairer show in women than in men
both by reason
of their more tender passions
and their modesty
which will make those actions
appear to more advantage. But in the case of true religion
which always
implies taking up the cross
especially in time of persecution
women lie
naturally under a great disadvantage
as having less courage than men. So that
their embracing the Gospel was a stronger evidence of the power of him whose
strength is perfected in weakness
as a stronger assistance of the Holy Spirit
was needful for them to overcome their natural fearfulness.
Verse 11
[11]
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica
in that they received the
word with all readiness of mind
and searched the scriptures daily
whether
those things were so.
These were more ingenuous — Or generous. To be teachable in the things of God is true generosity of
soul. The receiving the word with all readiness of mind
and the most accurate
search into the truth
are well consistent.
Verse 12
[12]
Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks
and of men
not a few.
Many of the — Of
the Jews.
And of the Grecian women — Who were followed by their husbands.
Verse 16
[16] Now while Paul waited for them at Athens
his spirit was stirred in him
when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
While Paul was waiting for the — Having no design
as it seems
to preach at Athens
but his zeal for God
drew him into it unawares
without staying till his companions came.
Verse 18
[18] Then
certain philosophers of the Epicureans
and of the Stoicks
encountered him.
And some said
What will this babbler say? other some
He seemeth to be a
setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus
and the
resurrection.
Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosopher — The Epicureans entirely denied a providence
and held the world to be
the effect of mere chance; asserting sensual pleasure to be man's chief good
and that the soul and body died together. The Stoics held
that matter was
eternal; that all things were governed by irresistible fate; that virtue was
its own sufficient reward
and vice its own sufficient punishment. It is easy
to see
how happily the apostle levels his discourse at some of the most
important errors of each
while
without expressly attacking either
he gives a
plain summary of his own religious principles.
What would this babbler say? — Such is the language of natural reason
full of
and satisfied with
itself. Yet even here St. Paul had some fruit; though nowhere less than at
Athens. And no wonder
since this city was a seminary of philosophers
who have
ever been the pest of true religion.
He seemeth to be a proclaimer — This he returns upon them at the 23d verse; Acts 17:23 of strange gods - Such as are not
known even at Athens.
Because he preached to them Jesus and the
resurrection — A god and a goddess. And as stupid as this
mistake was
it is the less to be wondered at
since the Athenians might as
well count the resurrection a deity
as shame
famine
and many others.
Verse 19
[19] And
they took him
and brought him unto Areopagus
saying
May we know what this
new doctrine
whereof thou speakest
is?
The Areopagus
or hill of Mars
(dedicated to
Mars
the heathen god of war
) was the place where the Athenians held their
supreme court of judicature. But it does not appear he was carried thither as a
criminal. The original number of its judges was twelve; but afterward it
increased to three hundred. These were generally men of the greatest families
in Athens
and were famed for justice and integrity.
Verse 21
[21] (For
all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing
else
but either to tell
or to hear some new thing.)
And the strangers sojourning there — And catching the distemper of them.
Some new thing —
The Greek word signifies some newer thing. New things quickly grew cheap
and
they wanted those that were newer still.
Verse 22
[22] Then
Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill
and said
Ye men of Athens
I perceive
that in all things ye are too superstitious.
Then Paul standing in the midst of the
Areopagus — An ample theatre; said - Giving them a
lecture of natural divinity
with admirable wisdom
acuteness
fulness
and
courtesy. They inquire after new things: Paul in his divinely philosophical
discourse
begins with the first
and goes on to the last things
both which were
new things to them. He points out the origin and the end of all things
concerning which they had so many disputes
and equally refutes both the
Epicurean and Stoic.
I perceive —
With what clearness and freedom does he speak! Paul against Athens!
Verse 23
[23] For
as I passed by
and beheld your devotions
I found an altar with this
inscription
TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship
him
declare I unto you.
I found an altar —
Some suppose this was set up by Socrates
to express in a covert way his
devotion to the only true God
while he derided the plurality of the heathen
gods
for which he was condemned to death: and others
that whoever erected
this altar
did it in honour to the God of Israel
of whom there was no image
and whose name Jehovah was never made known to the idolatrous Gentiles.
Him proclaim I unto you — Thus he fixes the wandering attention of these blind philosophers;
proclaiming to them an unknown
and yet not a new God.
Verse 24
[24] God
that made the world and all things therein
seeing that he is Lord of heaven
and earth
dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
God who made the world — Thus is demonstrated even to reason
the one true
good God; absolutely
different from the creatures
from every part of the visible creation.
Verse 25
[25]
Neither is worshipped with men's hands
as though he needed any thing
seeing
he giveth to all life
and breath
and all things;
Neither is he served as though he needed any
thing — or person - The Greek word equally takes
in both.
To all —
That live and breathe;-in him we live; and breathe - In him we move. By
breathing life is continued. I breathe this moment: the next is not in my
power: and all things - For in him we are. So exactly do the parts of this
discourse answer each other.
Verse 26
[26] And
hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the
earth
and hath determined the times before appointed
and the bounds of their
habitation;
He hath made of one blood the whole nation of
men — By this expression the apostle showed them
in the most unaffected manner
that though he was a Jew
be was not enslaved to
any narrow views
but looked on all mankind as his brethren: having determined
the times - That it is God who gave men the earth to inhabit
Paul proves from
the order of times and places
showing the highest wisdom of the Disposer
superior to all human counsels.
And the bounds of their habitation — By mountains
seas
rivers
and the like.
Verse 27
[27] That
they should seek the Lord
if haply they might feel after him
and find him
though he be not far from every one of us:
If haply —
The way is open; God is ready to be found. But he will lay no force upon man;
they might feel after him - This is in the midst between seeking and finding.
Feeling being the lowest and grossest of all our senses
is fitly applied to
the low knowledge of God; though he be not far from every one of us - We need
not go far to seek or find him. He is very near us; in us. It is only perverse
reason which thinks he is afar off.
Verse 28
[28] For
in him we live
and move
and have our being; as certain also of your own poets
have said
For we are also his offspring.
In him —
Not in ourselves
we live
and move
and have our being - This denotes his
necessary
intimate
and most efficacious presence. No words can better express
the continual and necessary dependence of all created beings
in their
existence and all their operations
on the first and almighty cause
which the
truest philosophy as well as divinity teaches.
As certain also of your own poets have said — Aratus
whose words these are
was an Athenian
who lived almost three
hundred years before this time. They are likewise to be found
with the
alteration of one letter only
in the hymn of Cleanthes to Jupiter or the
supreme being
one of the purest and finest pieces of natural religion in the
whole world of Pagan antiquity.
Verse 29
[29]
Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God
we ought not to think that the
Godhead is like unto gold
or silver
or stone
graven by art and man's device.
We ought not to think — A tender expression especially in the first per son plural. As if he had
said
Can God himself be a less noble being than we who are his offspring? Nor
does he only here deny
that these are like God
but that they have any analogy
to him at all
so as to be capable of representing him.
Verse 30
[30] And
the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every
where to repent:
The times of ignorance — What! does he object ignorance to the knowing Athenians? Yes
and they
acknowledge it by this very altar.
God overlooked — As
one paraphrases
"The beams of his eye did in a manner shoot over
it." He did not appear to take notice of them
by sending express messages
to them as he did to the Jews.
But now —
This day
this hour
saith Paul
puts an end to the Divine forbearance
and
brings either greater mercy or punishment. Now he commandeth all men every
where to repent - There is a dignity and grandeur in this expression
becoming
an ambassador from the King of heaven. And this universal demand of repentance
declared universal guilt in the strongest manner
and admirably confronted the
pride of the haughtiest Stoic of them all. At the same time it bore down the
idle plea of fatality. For how could any one repent of doing what he could not
but have done?
Verse 31
[31]
Because he hath appointed a day
in the which he will judge the world in
righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given
assurance unto all men
in that he hath raised him from the dead.
He hath appointed a day in which he will
judge the world — How fitly does he speak this
in their
supreme court of justice? By the man - So he speaks
suiting himself to the
capacity of his hearers.
Whereof he hath given assurance to all men
in that he hath raised him from the dead —
God raising Jesus demonstrated hereby
that he was to be the glorious Judge of
all. We are by no means to imagine that this was all which the apostle intended
to have said
but the indolence of some of his hearers and the petulancy of
others cut him short.
Verse 32
[32] And
when they heard of the resurrection of the dead
some mocked: and others said
We will hear thee again of this matter.
Some mocked —
Interrupting him thereby. They took offence at that which is the principal
motive of faith
from the pride of reason. And having once stumbled at this
they rejected all the rest.
Verse 33
[33] So
Paul departed from among them.
So Paul departed —
Leaving his hearers divided in their judgment.
Verse 34
[34]
Howbeit certain men clave unto him
and believed: among the which was Dionysius
the Areopagite
and a woman named Damaris
and others with them.
Among whom was even Dionysius the Areopagite — One of the judges of that court: on whom some spurious writings have
been fathered in later ages
by those who are fond of high sounding nonsense.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on
Acts》
Chapter 17. The Lord of Heaven and
Earth
Cause Trouble
All Over the World
Cause Trouble for the People
I. In
Thessalonica
II. In Berea
III. The Sermon
in Athens
── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》
The Athenians (17:16-34)
INTRODUCTION
1. Our next example of conversion is another often overlooked... a. It is the conversion of "The Athenians"
two of whom are specifically mention by name b. Yet they are usually not listed in charts showing examples of conversion c. Again
it likely because little is said
other than that they "believed" - Ac 17:34 2. But our purpose in this series is to also consider the sermons which led people to Christ... a. In this case we have a remarkable sermon by the apostle Paul b. A sermon proclaimed not to Jews or even Gentile God-fearers (like Cornelius)
but to pagan philosophers and polytheists 3. So our focus in this lesson will be more on the sermon itself
with attention to... a. How Paul addressed those who did not know the God of Israel b. The themes Paul addressed in this sermon [We begin our study with a look at...] I. THE SETTING OF THE SERMON
A. PAUL HAD JUST ARRIVED IN ATHENS 1. Following a hasty departure from Berea 2. Provoked by the idolatry rampant in the city
he began preaching at every opportunity - Ac 17:16-17 a. Reasoning in the synagogues with the Jews and Gentile worshipers b. Reasoning daily with any who happened to be in marketplace B. HE ATTRACTED THE ATTENTION OF SOME PHILOSOPHERS... 1. In particular
certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers - Ac 17:18 a. Some of which viewed him as a proclaimer of foreign gods b. Because Paul was preaching of Jesus and the resurrection 2. They brought him to the Areopagus and invited him to speak - Ac 17:19-21 a. A rocky hill about 370 feet high
not far from the Acropolis and the Agora (marketplace) in Athens Bible Dictionary b. As Luke explains
it was a place where Athenians and visitors spent their time discussing any new idea or thing that came along c. Not having heard the doctrine of Christ
they wanted to know more [With such an invitation
you can imagine that Paul was delighted to accommodate them...] II. PAUL'S SERMON AT THE AREOPAGUS
A. THE THEME: THE GOD THEY DO NOT KNOW... 1. Acknowledging their religious devotion
he made mention of one altar in particular - Ac 17:22-23a a. An altar with the inscription: "To The Unknown God" b. So devout
they sought to worship a god they did not know 2. He used this as an opportunity to preach concerning the True God they did not know! - Ac 17:23b B. THE MAIN POINTS... 1. God is the creator of the universe - Ac 17:24 a. He made the world
He is Lord of heaven and earth b. As such
He does not dwell in temples made with hands - cf. 1 Ki 8:22-30 2. God is the sustainer of life - Ac 17:25 a. He gives to all life their breath and what they need - cf. Ja 1:17 b. Therefore God is not worshipped as though He needs it 3. God is the ruler of all the nations - Ac 17:26-27 a. He has created every nation and determined their rise and fall - Dan 2:20-21; 4:17 b. Everything is designed to prompt men to seek God
who is not far from any of us 4. God is the Father of mankind - Ac 17:28-29 a. From God we come; and in Him we live
move
and have our very being b. Therefore we should not think that God is like any idol of gold
silver or stone 5. God is the Judge of the world - Ac 17:30-31 a. What ignorance He may have overlooked in the past
such is no longer the case b. He now commands all men everywhere to repent c. Why? Because of the coming Judgment
in which... a. God will judge the world in righteousness b. God will judge the world through Jesus Christ - Jn 5:22
26-27; 12:48
d. As proof such will occur
God raised Jesus from the dead -- These five points are from John Stott's book
The Spirit
The Church
And The World C. THE RESPONSE... 1. The mention of the resurrection provoked a response - Ac 17:32 a. Some mocked (to many philosophers
the idea of a bodily resurrection is foolishness) b. Others were more cordial
offering to listen again at another time 2. But as Paul left
some joined him and believed - Ac 17:33-34 a. Specifically mentioned are Dionysius the Areopagite
and Damaris
a woman b. Others also joined Paul and believed III. SOME OBSERVATIONS
A. OBSERVATIONS REGARDING PAUL'S SERMON... 1. Paul used tact - Ac 17:22-23 a. He acknowledges their spirituality
though misdirected b. We should not hesitate to acknowledge the devotion one might have; if in error
our task is to explain "the way of God more accurately" - e.g.
Ac 18:24-26 2. Paul began with the present spiritual condition of his audience - Ac 17:23-27
a. They believed in supreme beings
but didn't know the True God b. With the Jews he began with the Law
with the Gentiles he began with the nature of God; we too should take into consideration where one is spiritually 3. Paul made use of an accepted authority - Ac 17:28-29 a. He quotes from one of their own prophets to make his point b. When appropriate
we can appeal to an uninspired authority accepted by others (when in harmony with God's Word) 4. Paul led his audience to the main themes of the gospel - Ac 17:30-31
a. Such as the need to repent
the coming Judgment - cf. Ac2:38; 3:19
b. So our ultimate goal in preaching should be the gospel message 5. Paul used the resurrection of Jesus as the ultimate proof - Ac 17:31
a. God has given assurance of the coming Judgment by raising Jesus b. Indeed
if Jesus did rise from the dead
it is proof of: 1) The existence of God 2) The truthfulness of all of Jesus' claims 3) The reality of sin
judgment
and the need to repent c. This is why we need to develop a strong apologetic for the resurrection of Jesus B. OBSERVATIONS REGARDING THE RESPONSE... 1. People responded in three different ways - Ac 17:32-34 a. Some mocked what they heard b. Some put off making a decision until later c. Some decided to follow with Paul and believed -- Since we have no promise of tomorrow
the only safe course is the last! 2. Of those who responded favorably
it is only said that they"believed" - Ac 17:34
a. Are we to conclude from this that was all they did? b. Did they not also "repent"
as commanded in Ac 17:30? c. The term "believed" encompassed more than simply an acceptance of the facts that had been proclaimed 1) It involved a complete reception of the message preached 2) It included an obedience to whatever conditions had been proclaimed by the apostles (such as repentance
baptism) d. Just as faith was not explicitly mentioned in Acts 2
or repentance in Acts 16
but is fairly inferred from what we know from other passages
so also with baptism here 1) "There is
indeed
much to be said for the contention
independently advocated by theologians of varied schools
that in the New Testament faith and baptism are viewed as inseparables whenever the subject of Christian initiation is under discussion
so that if one is referred to
the other is presupposed
even if not mentioned." - G. R. Beasley-Murray Baptism In The
New Testament
p. 272 2) "Baptism and faith are but the outside and inside of the same thing" - James Denny (as quoted by
Beasley-Murray
ibid.) 3) "Where baptism is spoken of faith is presumed
and where faith is spoken of baptism is included in the thought" - N. J. Engelsen (as quoted by Beasley-Murray
ibid.) CONCLUSION
1. Whether Jew or Gentile
philosopher or simpleton
the gospel of Christ is for all... a. Where we begin may vary with the spiritual condition of our audience b. Where we end must always be the same: 1) Proclaiming the reality of sin
judgment
and the need for repentance 2) With Jesus as the only way to salvation! 2. When one becomes convicted of their sinful condition and their need for Jesus
the proper response should also be the same no matter who we are... a. Faith in Jesus as the Son of God
who died for our sins and was raised from the dead
whom we are willing to confess before men b. Repentance from sin d. Baptism into Christ for the forgiveness of sins through His blood One's reaction to the gospel will always be one of three ways: * Rejection ("some mocked") * Reluctance ("others said
we will hear you again on this matter") * Reception ("some men joined him and believed") In Athens response; are you willing to imitate their example?
－－《Executable
Outlines》