Gospel Persuasion, Prejudice and Pride Acts 17

G ALATIA M YSIA B ITHYNIA A SIA P HRYGIA Paul’s Second Preaching Trip Acts 15:41-18:22 S YRIA C ILICIA 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 salvation condemnation Acts 17: How people react to the gospel makes the difference between their salvation and their condemnation, cf. Luke 8:8, 18 3

4 100 miles WSW of Philippi 100 miles WSW of Philippi “Most important seaport of Macedonia” “Most important seaport of Macedonia” Idolatry: Mt. Olympus to the West Idolatry: Mt. Olympus to the West Jewish community Jewish community 100 miles WSW of Philippi 100 miles WSW of Philippi “Most important seaport of Macedonia” “Most important seaport of Macedonia” Idolatry: Mt. Olympus to the West Idolatry: Mt. Olympus to the West Jewish community Jewish community

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Resistance in Thessalonica: Jesus is the Christ R EASONED FROM THE S CRIPTURES, 17:1-3 (2 Tim. 3:15) – Christ would suffer and rise, Luke 24:44-46 – Declared Jesus to be Son of God, Romans 1:3-4 C ONVERSIONS AND P ERSECUTION, 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 released 6

Resistance in Thessalonica: Jesus is the Christ R EACTIONS TO THE G OSPEL – 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 7

miles SW of Thessalonica miles SW of Thessalonica Eastern slope of the Olympian Mtn. range Eastern slope of the Olympian Mtn. range miles SW of Thessalonica miles SW of Thessalonica Eastern slope of the Olympian Mtn. range Eastern slope of the Olympian Mtn. range

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Readiness in Berea: Searched the Scriptures F AIR - MINDEDNESS, 17:10-12 (Rom. 10:14, 17) – Many became believers E NVIOUS J EWS FROM T HESSALONICA, 17:13 – Unbelievers incited crowds against them P AUL TAKEN TO A THENS, 17:14-15 – Silas and Timothy remained in Berea – Commanded to come quickly to Paul 10

11 Two miles inland; Two parallel walls built two hundred yards apart Two miles inland; Two parallel walls built two hundred yards apart Center of culture and philosophy (17:18) Center of culture and philosophy (17:18) Patron goddess Athena (Parthenon) Patron goddess Athena (Parthenon) Two miles inland; Two parallel walls built two hundred yards apart Two miles inland; Two parallel walls built two hundred yards apart Center of culture and philosophy (17:18) Center of culture and philosophy (17:18) Patron goddess Athena (Parthenon) Patron goddess Athena (Parthenon)

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Ridicule in Athens: The Blindness of Pride H UMAN WISDOM AND THE G OSPEL, 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 I DOLATRY AND THE GOSPEL, 17:22-29 G OSPEL INVITATION, 17:30-31 R EACTIONS TO THE GOSPEL, 17:

Mars Hill: Gospel Answers Human Philosophy and Idolatry A REOPAGUS -Socrates on trial (399 BC) -Philosophers taught, debated there -Paul spoke of the “Unknown God” 14

Mars Hill: Gospel Answers Human Philosophy and Idolatry -Creative, 17:24 -Self-sustaining, 17:25 -Ruling, 17:26 -Purposeful, 17: Merciful and authoritative, 17: Judge, 17:31 15

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