 Athens– the great metropolis and center of intellect for Greece and Rome › Oldest settled city in Greece › Part of the Mycenaean Empire › Home to the Acropolis › 900BC forward found Athens to be the major trade center in the Med

 Athens in Rome › Center of education and intellect › Greece lost power after the Peloponnesian war › Home of the Parthenon in 500 BC › BC Rome conquered Greece and destroyed many of the key buildings of Athens › Roma ns admired the educational intent of Athens, so allowed the city to remain free and to be a center of education.

 When Paul arrived, the city was divided among a number of philosophies. › The epicureans believed that life should be enjoyed, that emotional and physical pleasure were worth pursuing › The stoics believed that the life of the mind and denial of emotion and physical pleasure led to true human happiness › Stoics had a strict code of ethics; the epicureans did not

 These were not the only philosophies in Athens › A large Jewish community was there, with a large synagogue. This synagogue was destroyed by 400 AD › Socratics and other philosophers › The temple dedicated to all the gods was more a center of political correctness than a true center of worship. Offend no one, believe everyone.

 Paul’s Sermon › Notice that he had paid attention to the statues › Notice that he bases his argument on their philosophy › Notice that he leads them to Christ based on what they would know. › Notice also that he took advantage of every opportunity to witness › 17:26. Numerous doctrines to draw from this verse. Nations are ordained and have a lifespan

 Paul’s Sermon › He points out that God had given man free time to find Him, but now He has called all men to account (30) › He also declares that GOD is real– not a work of hands. › He declares that Jesus– the God-Man, came to redeem. › This is the Gospel in its finest form.

 Paul’s Sermon › The impact of this was controversy– Jesus had promised it. › Paul makes many friends here. › Now, the letters to Thessalonica and Corinth will come later, but let us see what we can learn from these letters.

 Thessalonians › These letters outline Paul’s doctrine about persecution of the Church, moral conduct among Christians, and teachings about the return of Christ › The second book focused more on defeating the heresies of Judaizers, Greeks and others. › Both books offer a strong defense of Paul’s work and mission.

 The Corinthian Letters › I Corinthians focuses on the moral nature of the Church › Paul begins by addressing divisions in the CHURCH, and calls for members to recognize that they are one body › He moves to discussions of moral behavior, especially marriage › Corinth is typically Greek, so these are key issues

 Corinthians › I Corinthians continues by discussing idols › And then discussed public worship, including the role of women, offering the Lord’s Supper, and the use of gifts  II Corinthians continues this theme › He discusses the Church’s support for other churches in difficult times › His teaching on restored fellowship (II Cor 2:7) shows that the Church is different from our normal attitudes

1. Is there a way to be angry and still be Christian? 2. What got Paul so angry? 3. How did Paul uses circumstances to be a witness? 4. Should we avoid a witness if we know it is going to cause an uproar? 5. What is the heart of Paul’s argument?

 Acts 17:11  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.