The Acts of the Apostles
The Growth and Expansion of the Church to the Ends of the Earth
Acts 13:1-28:31 (26)
Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (15:36-18:22) (11)
Challenges in Evangelizing the Lost
7. The Outreach in Athens (17:16-34)
a. Christ against the Philosophies of Men (17:16-21)
1) Paul’s Problem (17:16)
2) Paul’s Response (17:17)
3) The City’s Reaction (17:18-21)
a) Confusion (17:18)
b) Request (17:19)
c) Anticipation (17:20-21)
b. Christ through the Philosophies of Men (17:22-31)
● Design mandates a designer, the universe evidences design, therefore the universe must possesses a grand designer, in the same way that a watch must mandate a watchmaker.
1) Paul Connected with Them (17:22-23b)
● religious too superstitious, extremely pious
● examining careful observation, connected with the concept of a serious consideration
● unknown (agnostos) existing, but unknowable
2) Paul Stated His Intention (17:23c)
3) Paul Exposed Their Sin (17:24-29)
a) The Self-Existent Creator (17:24-25)
(1) God, the Creator (17:24)
(2) God, the Self-Existent (Aseity) one (17:25)
● aseity “the quality or state of being self-derived or self-originated, specifically: the absolute self-sufficiency, independence, and autonomy of God.”
b) The Lord of Mankind (17:26-28)
(1) Ordered Man’s Existence (17:26)
(2) Drew Man’s Attention (17:27-28)
(a) Man’s Seeking of God is Intended (17:27a)
(b) Man’s Seeking of God is Ineffectual (17:27b)
● grope to feel, touch, handle