Devotional:New Teaching:Acts 17

“And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, ‘May we know what this new teaching is which you are proclaiming” (Acts 17:19, NASB).

I like talking to people about their religious beliefs. I find a lot of people to talk to in the health spa where I exercise. I have learned that if I simply mention the bible to people I am met by people that are either ignorant (lack knowledge) of what the bible says or they have strong opinions about it; some good, others not so good. I find it very interesting the things that people say about the bible and the Christian religion. Again, some are good and others are not so good. These conversations give me an opportunity to either learn other peoples feeling and thoughts and at the same time I am able to impart a few nuggets of truth into their ears. I do not try to convert people to my way of thinking and my beliefs. I have learned that it is best to give the person something to think about and trust God to complete the process of bringing people to faith in Jesus Christ.

The events in Acts 17 take place during the second missionary trip of Paul and his partner Silas. Paul preaches the gospel in Thessalonica. In Thessalonica he is confronted by strong opposition to the gospel that he is preaching (vv. 5-9). The hostilities were so great that Paul had to flee from the city to a city called Berea where Paul and Silas were well received (v.11). The opposition from Thessalonica followed them and Paul was sent to Athens (v. 15).

While Paul was waiting for Silas and Timothy the Spirit provoked him to teach in the synagogues. Some Greek philosophers heard him teaching thing about “strange deities’ (v. 18). These philosophers took him to the Areopagus where the Greek philosophers met to discuss their beliefs and ideas. The philosophers were eager to hear Paul because they had already heard the beliefs of each other. They had not heard about Jesus Christ; especially in terms of Him being the Son of God and the Savior for all people. They said to Paul, “May we know what this new teaching is which you are proclaiming” (v.19). “For you are bringing some strange things to our ears; so we want to know what these strange things mean” (v. 20, NASB).

It is not only the philosophers of the world that are in need of this new teaching that Paul proclaims. Yes, the entire world needs to hear the gospel. Everyone needs the opportunity to hear about Jesus Christ. However, I have discovered a sad reality about many of the Christians that I meet. Their thoughts and beliefs about God are limited. They find the truth in the scriptures new teaching. The God of the bible is a strange deity to them.

Prayer: Lord, continue to give me opportunities to make Jesus known to others. Amen