1. Gospel Persuasion, Prejudice and Pride Acts 17

2. 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

3. 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. 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

5. 5

6. 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

7. 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

8. 8 50-60 miles SW of Thessalonica 50-60 miles SW of Thessalonica Eastern slope of the Olympian Mtn. range Eastern slope of the Olympian Mtn. range 50-60 miles SW of Thessalonica 50-60 miles SW of Thessalonica Eastern slope of the Olympian Mtn. range Eastern slope of the Olympian Mtn. range

9. 9

10. 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. 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)

12. 12

13. 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, 17:32-34 13

14. 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

15. 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 15

16. 16