articlesforchristians

Paul on Mar’s Hill

• Mar’s Hill: Strong’s G697 – areios pagos
  • †Ἄρειος Πάγος Áreios Págos, ar’-i-os pag’-os; from Ἄρης Árēs (the name of the Greek deity of war) and a derivative of G4078; rock of Ares, a place in Athens:—Areopagus, Mars’ Hill.
• His discussions were with the philosophers of Athens.
  • Acts 17:18-19 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. And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?
• Paul preached to the Athenians about their altar with the dedication to the unknown god.
  •  Acts 17:22 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. 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.
  • Notice that he started with something that they knew about and then explained things from that starting point.
• Paul preached the message of one God who is self-existing, the giver and supported of life.
  • Acts 17:24-26 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; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 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 explained that everyone could find the Lord.
  • Acts 17:27 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:
  • Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
• Paul declared that God tolerated the foolishness of people for a while, but not anymore.
  •  Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
• Paul explained that judgement would come by Jesus, who rose from the dead.
  • Acts 17:31 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.
• Some mocked Paul, some wanted to hear more about it, and others believed.
  • Acts 17:32-34 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, “We will hear thee again of this matter“. So Paul departed from among them. Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

Paul in Prison writing Epistles

• An important part of Paul’s ministry was writing letters (Epistles) of instructions to the various churches.
• Paul wrote some of them while in prison and awaiting trial.
• While imprisoned, Paul witnessed to many of the guards and visitors.
• Paul was finally put to death.
  • 2 Timothy 4:6-8 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.