Read the Bible in a Year (19NOV19)

DAILY REMINDER – Today, November 19’s Bible reading is Acts 16-17.

NEXT DAY REMINDER – Tomorrow, November 20’s Bible reading is Acts 18-20. May God bless you with the reading of His WORD.

ACTS MOMENT – (19NOV19) “While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city. He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there” (Acts 17:16-17). Paul had been in Thessalonica preaching the Gospel, but some of the Jews sought to do him harm, so he and Silas escaped to Berea where they preached there. The Bereans were more noble than those in Thessalonica and they studied the scriptures daily. Unfortunately, when the Jewish agitates in Thessalonica heard about this, they went to Berea to cause trouble there as well. Silas and Timothy continued to do ministry in Thessalonica for a while, but Paul left and went to Athens. While there, Paul was greatly disturbed by all the idols he saw in the city. He spoke with Jews and Greek believers in the synagogue and debated with philosophers. He preached about Jesus Christ and the resurrection. Paul was later taken to the Areopagus (the place where philosophers met and debated) to teach them about the True God. They were used to the idea of a god, but they did not know the One and Only God of the Universe.

 

Paul spoke to the council at a level of understanding that they were accustomed to. They had altars dedicated to an “unknown God”, but he spoke to them about God being the Creator of all things. He let them know that God did not confine Himself to man-made shrines such as those they had erected in honor of their pagan gods. The Bible says: “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Paul emphasized the fact that God was not dependent upon their gifts as they were accustomed to offering their pagan gods, but His people were totally dependent upon Him. The Prophet Isaiah wrote: “ ‘What makes you think I want all your sacrifices?’ says the Lord. ‘I am sick of your burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fattened cattle. I get no pleasure from the blood of bulls and lambs and goats’ ” (Isaiah 1:11). Paul enlightened them as to their need for God and not His reliance on them. Paul educated them as to the knowledge of mankind descending from one man (Adam) and that God created the earth for man’s habitation. God set the boundaries and places where He wanted them to dwell as well as when certain events would take place in history. Even the seasons were by God’s design for seedtime and harvest. This is why even now, we do not have to worry about climate change alarmists because the Bible says: “As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night” (Genesis 8:22). Paul referred to one of their poets who said that they were the offspring of God, and finally, Paul ended with a call to repentance. Paul encouraged them to turn to the True God because everyone would be without excuse where He once winked at man’s ignorance. 

Paul was not addressing a group of uneducated people, but he was speaking to the highly educated and prominent members of society. He spoke to them using historical references and narratives that they took pride in being knowledgeable about. We can learn a great deal from the way Paul ministered to various groups. He met them right where they were. He did not expect the uneducated to rise to his level of understanding, nor did he bore the educated in talking beneath their realm of understanding. Paul became whatever the person needed at whatever level of understanding they were at. Paul later wrote: “Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings” (1 Corinthians 9:19-23). Let’s be mindful to meet people where they are and not where we think they should be. New converts need us to help them to grow in Christ, so we as Christians need to master patience in our dealings with both the saved and the unsaved to usher souls to Christ. Something to ponder….

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