gospel persuasion, prejudice and pride acts 17. g alatia m ysia b ithynia a sia p hrygia paul’s...
TRANSCRIPT
Gospel Persuasion, Prejudice and Pride
Acts
17
GALATIA
MYSIA
BITHYNIA
ASIA
PHRYGIA
Paul’s Second Preaching Trip Acts
15:41-18:22
SYRIA
CILICIA
2
The Gospel of Christ:The Apostles’ Doctrine
•Gospel belongs to Christ, Rom. 1:16; Phil. 1:27• Apostles’ doctrine because they preached it, Mk. 16:15 (Jno. 20:21)•How we receive the apostles and their teaching is how we receive Christ, Jno. 13:2o•Acts 17: How people react to the gospel makes the difference between their salvation and their condemnation, cf. Luke 8:8, 18
3
Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9)
4
• 100 miles WSW of Philippi• “Most important seaport of Macedonia”• Idolatry: Mt. Olympus to the West• Jewish community
Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9)
5
Resistance in Thessalonica:Jesus is the Christ
•REASONED FROM THE SCRIPTURES, 17:1-3 (2 Tim. 3:15)– Christ would suffer and rise, Luke 24:44-46– Declared Jesus to be Son of God, Romans 1:3-
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•CONVERSIONS AND PERSECUTION, 17:4-9– Some were persuaded (Jews and Greeks)– Some were not persuaded: Charged treason– Jason and other Christians detained – paid a
peace bond and released6
Resistance in Thessalonica:Jesus is the Christ
•REACTIONS TO THE GOSPEL– Believers, 17:4; 1 Ths. 1:2-10•Faith, love and hope, 1:3-4•Certified gospel and convicted preachers, 1:5 (2:2-7)•Received word with joy in persecution, 1:6-7•Faith toward God, 1:8-10•Turned to God from idols: Repented, Acts 26:18, 20•Wait for Jesus (patient hope), Rom. 5:1-5– Unbelievers, 17:5-9 – Envious, violent liars
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Berea (Acts 17:10-15)
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• 50-60 miles SW of Thessalonica• Eastern slope of the Olympian Mtn. range
Berea (Acts 17:10-15)
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Readiness in Berea:Searched the Scriptures
• FAIR-MINDEDNESS, 17:10-12 (Rom. 10:14, 17)–Many became believers
•ENVIOUS JEWS FROM THESSALONICA, 17:13 –Unbelievers incited crowds against them
•PAUL TAKEN TO ATHENS, 17:14-15– Silas and Timothy remained in Berea– Commanded to come quickly to Paul 10
Athens (Acts 17:16-34)
11
• Two miles inland; Two parallel walls built two hundred yards apart• Center of culture and philosophy (17:18)• Patron goddess Athena (Parthenon)
Athens (Acts 17:16-34)
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Ridicule in Athens:The Blindness of Pride
•HUMAN WISDOM AND THE GOSPEL, 17:16-21– Teacher is provoked within, Matt. 9:36; Jer.
20:9– The gospel and philosophy, Acts 17:18-21;
1 Cor. 1:21-25; Col. 2:8
• IDOLATRY AND THE GOSPEL, 17:22-29 •GOSPEL INVITATION, 17:30-31•REACTIONS TO THE GOSPEL, 17:32-34
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Mars Hill: Gospel Answers Human Philosophy and Idolatry
AREOPAGUS
-Socrates on trial (399 BC)-Philosophers taught, debated there-Paul spoke of the “Unknown God”
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Mars Hill: Gospel Answers Human Philosophy and Idolatry
-Creative, 17:24-Self-sustaining,
17:25
-Ruling, 17:26-Purposeful,
17:27-28
-Merciful and authoritative,
17:29-30-Judge, 17:31
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The Unknown God
Gospel Persuasion
16
Prejudicial Resistance
Readiness of Mind
Prideful Ridicule
Acts 17