22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.
24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,[c] 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.
26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’;[d] as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’[e]
29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
Acts 17:22-31 (ESV) 中文
Backdrop
After visiting a few of the churches from the first missionary journey, God directed Paul and Silas on the 2nd journey to new territory in Macedonia, modern-day Europe. In Thessalonica and Berea, the replay button is pressed and they’re kicked out of town. Paul’s now waiting for Silas and Timothy in Athens where he has shared the good news in the synagogue and then in the market. Now they’ve invited him into their council of city elders to hear his new teaching.
2 minute gospel
Paul had no time to prepare a sermon or a speech. But because he knows scripture so well (he was a Jewish scholar), knows the Lord so well and has been doing this a few years, he’s ready to go. But the other thing he did was become a student of Athen’s culture and religion while he was there. So he tailored his message to them.
In 2 minutes, he delivered this abbreviated gospel presentation to the council. Some highlights:
- He appreciates their culture and religiosity – rather than outright judging them.
- The statue to the “unknown god” was his entre to presenting the truth using a “prop” they related to.
- God created all things, is over all things, and does not live in man-made buildings or need anything from man; He is self-existent. Nor can man fashion an image of Him. This is compared to their gods and idols.
- He designed the world and mankind so that He can be found.
- Paul quotes their own prophets to make his point that we are created by God, for God.
- God has given grace up to this time to all mankind and now demands all mankind to repent and, is preparing a final judgment by a particular man.
- This particular man has been identified by being raised from the dead.
RЯeflection
- Do we have to be a Paul (a missionary or evangelist) to share the gospel? By no means! That is a lie. We are called to preach the gospel and make disciples. (Mark 16:15, Matthew 28:19-20) If you have been negligent in this, respond to the Word of God and the Spirit’s leading. You may need to consider your overall spiritual health – maybe you don’t understand the good news is good news.
- When we preach the gospel, do we give the whole gospel? Unfortunately many churches today leave out a key piece – repentance from sin for salvation from a coming judgment. They often just tell people: come to Jesus to get to Heaven, solve your problems, and be successful. This is a deception of the Devil. It also neglects the broken relationship with the Father.
- Is two minutes enough to share the gospel and see someone saved? Not likely. It takes time. The Spirit must draw the person. They need to understand that they need to be saved, process that, and respond with repentance and faith in Christ.
