753. ACT 17:16-23. PAUL PREACHING AT ATHENS. PART 2

Act_17:16-23. Paul Preaching at Athens. Part 2

"Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry," &c.’97Act_17:16-23.

In our former discourse we considered the description given of the city of Athens; the feelings which a survey of this city produced on the mind of the apostle; the course which the apostle adopted; the opponents the apostle had to encounter. We now proceed to notice,

V. The spirit which the Athenians evinced.

And here there is every thing to commend, for although Paul had come in direct collision with the tenets and the opinions of their distinguished philosophers, yet with candor and respect they gave the apostle an opportunity of stating fully and clearly the doctrines which he held. "May we know what this new doctrine whereof thou speakest is?" So they took him to the Areopagus, the seat of judicature, the highest and most dignified place within the city, and where thousands might hearken to the statements the apostle might make. Here, within one of the most celebrated tribunals of the world, had the apostle Paul to stand, to declare among these Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. Observe,

VI. The discourse which the apostle delivered.

Doubtless we have but the analysis presented to our view.

1. He refers to their superstitious veneration for idols.

"I perceive," &c. Surely they could not be denominated an irreligious people, a reckless people; no, they carried their superstitious regards to the greatest possible extent. The city was full of temples, of idols, and altars. To these they added one to the "unknown God." How truly did this exhibit their true and real character and condition. To them the true God was unknown. They had learning, art, science, philosophy, &c., yet they were without God.

2. The apostle gave a striking representation of the true Jehovah.

"Whom, therefore, ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you."

(1.) He declares him as the Creator of all things.

(2.) He declares his universal dominion and authority. "Lord of heaven and earth."

(3.) He declares the immensity of his nature. "Dwelleth not in temples made with hands." That is, cannot be confined, not limited.

(4.) He declares his self-existence, and sufficiency. He is not to be served or worshipped "with men’s hands," see Psa_50:7.

(5.) He declares him the fountain and author of all life. "Giveth to all life," &c. Holds in his hands the breath of lives.

(6.) He declares him the universal parent of all men. "Hath made of one blood," &c.

(7.) He declares him to be the disposer and ruler of all events. "Hath determined the times before," &c.

(8.) He declares unto them his omnipresence. "He is not far from any one of us."

(9.) He declares him the source of all our bounties. "In him we live, and move, and have our being."

(10.) He declares his spirituality, Act_17:29.

(11.) He declares the forbearance and longsuffering of God, Act_17:30. Did not punish, &c.

(12.) He declared the necessity of universal repentance. "But now commandeth all men everywhere to repent."

(13.) He declared the righteous judgment of all by Christ Jesus. "Whom God hath raised up," &c.

Notice,

VII. The effects which were produced.

1. Some mocked.

Derided, as though he had spoken folly.

2. Some deferred judgment, and agreed to hear again.

3. Some were converted.

"Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed"’97one of the judges, several men, and Damaris.

Application

Learn,

1. The corruption and blindness of the human mind.

To give honor, &c., to stocks and stones’97to idols.

2. The insufficiency of the light of nature in matters of religion.

What can any nation or people have that they had not? They had sun, moon, and stars. All the works of Deity were around them, &c. Yet by wisdom they knew not God; nay, all their science and literature were ineffectual here. Their poets and philosophers were all strangers to God. So it is with the heathen nations to this day.

3. There is idolatry of heart as well as of worship.

If Paul visited this metropolis, no such statues would arrest his eye, &c. But every one who refuses God’s authority has a something enthroned, and that is his idol, and the love and service of that is idolatry.

4. God demands the supreme homage of the mind, and affections of the heart.

"Thou shalt have no other gods," &c. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart," &c.

5. How thankful we should be for the gospel.

How precious, how invaluable. It will make you wise, holy, and happy. Receive it cordially.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS