Paul was on another journey, one of many "in danger from rivers, from robbers," etc., as related in 2 Corinthians 11:26 & context. He made brief stops in two places but was aimed for Thessalonica. Amphipolis (founded by Athens in the 5^th century BC) was on a bend of the river Strymon, and was the capital of one of the four Roman districts of Macedonia. Apollonia was on the way to Thessalonica, as they traveled to the east.

Thessalonica was to contain a thriving Christian community, a place to which Paul would later write letters of encouragement to those yet to be "born" into our Lord. Of immediate interest to Paul was the local synagogue of the Jews. How interesting that this utterly Jewish man who was so drawn to his own people, would be the "apostle to the Gentiles." He would visit the synagogues initially, and God led that, but his real function was to put himself aside and go to the Gentiles, for that was God's call for his life.

"According to Paul’s custom…" I wonder if this was "Paul’s" custom, or that of the Holy Spirit in him. Where does the person end and the Spirit begin? It’s easy to see that we are just people, and if we’re honest – merely human. But into this earthen vessel came Jesus, who is altogether Holy. Paul, missionary to the Gentiles, was speaking to the Jews at this moment, according to his custom, for three Sabbaths (Friday evening to Saturday evening on three consecutive weeks).

I don’t think it fully matters whether it was truly "Paul’s" custom or not, for God selected (and created) this man. Each of us is rough-hewn inside, prone to wander into all sorts of directions. Paul and Moses, Elijah and John – it’s so INTERESTING in Scripture when we see that God uses ORDINARY people. This is the message the Lord brings to us: He will use us, plain people, for His glory, just the way we are. Every one.

This is extremely important – Christ HAD to suffer and rise again from the dead. It was no accident or mistake. The central reason for Christ’s arrival here on earth is that we NEED a Redeemer Who would die in our place. There are no good works that we are capable of, by which we might become "right" with God. God is holy, but He did not simply wipe out and start over, because He loves you and me. Paul gave them evidence of their need for a Redeemer, and showed them that our Redeemer has come – Jesus, the Christ of God.

Jesus Christ became Son of man, that He might die for our sins. He blotted out our sins by His blood which fell on that day. He suffered that we might not suffer. He died and rose from the dead, that we might rise with Him. Notice Paul was "giving evidence" (his personal testimony and proof from the Scriptures) for these things, not merely stating them. We are "judges" of these things and may accept or reject Him, but we reasonably should receive Him, for this Jesus "IS the Christ."

And "some" of them were persuaded. It’s fascinating that people can be touched by God and respond so differently. He REVEALS the truth of Himself to your heart, through the Holy Spirit, as He patiently "touches" us all. To some He gives a "caress", a soft word, but others must be hit with a "club" for we do not easily find faith. His encounters with us are always initially gentle. As to our responses, to the one He is a "fragrance of Christ to God" (2 Corinthians 2:15) and to another "an aroma of death to death" (2 Corinthians 2:16).

We must learn to be open to God and become willing to learn of Him, letting Him make us what He will. We won’t all, by any means, become evangelists, like Silas and Paul; but we should simply be ourselves, as enabled by the glory of the risen Christ. If in our lives we incur discipline (Hebrews 12:5-7), it is only because He loves us and longs that the image of God should be revealed in us.

Christ is our Remedy, our Restorer, our Healer and our Peace. He fundamentally changes us inside, and this change will begin to be seen by others. People will be jealous of the great Gift we have been given. Forming a mob out of jealousy because Paul told them of the Christ (who is our Healer) is exactly as crazy as storming a doctor’s office in outraged anger because he believes in the wonder of penicillin.

A sane man does not attack the messenger who comes to tell him the good news that he is now free. Notice they took along "wicked men from the market place". They did not have any good intent but merely wanted to shut up and harm anyone who did not agree with their views. Not finding Paul, they attacked the house of Jason, a man who had given shelter to Paul and others that were with him.

All too often angry people take out their anger on the innocent. For example, the person who is not doing well at work will yell at their spouse or children. The mob did not find Paul in Jason’s house, so they began dragging Jason (and some others) away to the city authorities. The Greek used here for "city authorities" was used for non-Roman magistrates (Greeks) who had the function of keeping peace and order in the city.

This happened to be an incident stirred up by local Jews (verse 5). Just as Jesus, who was innocent, was accused of being their "King" (which was the truth), these men were accused of being "upsetters of the world" – which in a way, we are. Jesus said "I did not come to bring peace but a sword" (Matthew 10:34 & forward). We shouldn’t go around causing trouble, but we should not be surprised to find that others do not like the fact that we belong to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

They couldn’t find Paul at this moment, and so the Jews (verse 5) and the mob that was with them, dragged Jason (who had sheltered Paul) before the city leaders, intending to do whatever harm they could. This was very dangerous, for mobs often get out of control and begin to kill people. The Jews who had initiated these events (see verse 5) could have cared less at the moment about the decrees of Caesar, but it was a way to accuse these men, and they would use whatever weapon they had.

Thessalonica was a Greek city under Rome, but governed by Greeks, and they had their own laws, different from those of Rome. The last thing they wanted was to anger Rome in any way, for Roman legions could march in at any time and upset – everything! The accusation was not only political (insurrection) but also religious (blasphemy) because of the current law which made Caesar the "god" of that land. Jesus really is our King, and the enemy will use the truth against us (or lies – he does not care), whenever possible.

Emotions had completely taken them over at this time. The mob smelled blood and was of a mind to kill someone, anyone, if they could. The authorities (magistrates – verse 6) were supposed to keep order, but fears and passions were aroused – anything could happen! We should think about what we do and what we say. Particularly, we should be concerned about WHY we say such things.

Here was an out of control mob, drummed up by people who happened to be Jews, (verse 5) who were simply motivated by jealousy. The person who has something (good looks, money, health, position, or whatever) will always incite jealousy (inadvertently or otherwise) in other people. In and through Christ, we literally are the sons and heirs of Abraham (Galatians 3:29), which kindles envy in others. They would harm Paul (and Jason) if they could, because they wanted what those men had.

Jason and the other brethren posted bail (a pledge that they would appear before the court at a later date) and were released (for now). Notice that Jason was innocent of any wrongdoing – all he did was take Paul and some others into his house, and he believed in Christ. Paul was innocent – He was a Roman and was proud of it! Jesus Christ had been innocent before His accusers – the mob that shouted for His death really should have been outraged by their own sins (and by yours and mine), for Jesus was innocent of any wrong doing.

You and I are guilty and yet the Lord was put to death in our place for our sins. He became the pledge by which you and I can be set free. He is the one of Great Value, that is taken as a "pledge" by which we are released, as it were, on bail. He was taken, convicted, and killed, and because of what He has done, you and I can be set free, the judgment against us set aside, and we are given LIFE in Him. Just as Jason was set free, you and I can be free in Jesus Christ. We should be THANKFUL for what our Lord has done.

We must learn from the people of the early Church. For the most part, they not only looked to the written Word of God and followed the Spirit of God, but they also gave PRACTICAL responses to the events of the time. This time they did not spend a lengthy time in prayer, though they assuredly did seek the Lord. But days were not spent in consultation with the Scriptures about their decision – No, Paul's and Silas’ LIVES were in danger, so they were immediately SENT to another place.

It was simply TIME for them to go. If Paul had even the HINT that God wanted them to stay, he would have stayed, for he was that kind of man. It was simply time – Paul’s presence put everyone else in jeopardy and it was surely with the Good Pleasure of the Holy Spirit that they left. We should pray, read His Word, follow the Spirit, and sometimes we need to simply ACT. Berea, by the way, was inland from Thessalonica, and note they continued the custom of speaking in the local synagogue first, before going to the Gentiles.

Note the kind of people who are the "noble-minded" of this verse. More than once I have heard people define "faith" as "blindly accepting something you read or hear." Sometimes faith is thought to be "an unintelligent acceptance of things beyond our comprehension." These views are simply not true. The Bible is a historical record, a series of them, actually, containing simple records of what happened to people, in a variety of circumstances. Many people have received God by examining the Bible; others have not.

The responses varied – God is the same ("Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever" – Hebrews 13:8 – but people are as changeable as the wind and the rain). Some honor the written Word; others don’t. These Bereans did what we should do: They examined the Scriptures daily, to see if Paul’s words were true. Note they were commended as "noble-minded" by the authors of Acts (Luke and the Holy Spirit) for doing that. We should do the same as they did and openly examine the Scriptures.

If we honestly, openly and prayerfully examine the Word of God (verse 11), faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is headed our way. "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ" (or "God" – Romans 10:17). The result of openly studying the Word of God, was that MANY believed. The "many" in these verses were Jews (verse 10 and forward). The "prominent Greek women and men" were likely "God-Fearers" – Gentiles who had previously converted to Judaism.

There have been a number of people in history who have set about to write books refuting Scripture, and in so doing, have come to BELIEVE in the Lord. Researching the Bible will do that. A recent convert who did exactly that, was the brilliant C. S. Lewis, the Oxford Don and author. The Word of God, the Bible, will change lives. It brought me to Christ. Just read it. Don’t change anything about it – let IT change YOU.

The "fruits of the flesh" as seen in Galatians 5:19-21, include such attitudes and actions as "enmities, strife, jealousy, angry outbursts, disputes, dissension’s", and so on. The Jews of Thessalonica left their jobs, their families, income, synagogue – they left ALL, just because of bitter feelings toward Paul the apostle. Note that these men were operating in the name of religion. If we feel and act like they did, our noble-appearing efforts probably just show how wrong-headed we can be.

Our "flesh", disguised by the trappings of religion, can actually cause true religion (that which is from the Spirit of God) to be taken away (as in verse 14). I’ve been fascinated for decades, by how easy it is for people to "shoot" one another in the name of religion. This has been clearly seen in Ireland, in Israel, and a few days ago in New York and Washington, DC, where people literally have blown up one another in the name of God. Such actions VERY strongly suggest that they have NO relationship with God at all, no matter HOW they may justify what they are doing on religious grounds.

What the people of Thessalonica and Berea really NEEDED was the presence of Paul, Silas and Timothy. These were men full of the Holy Spirit of God – such people can change others for the better by bringing us to honest RELATIONSHIP with the Lord Jesus Christ. The "Jews of Thessalonica" and the "crowds" of verse 13, were chasing away the very men who could help them. We unfortunately often do the same.

But God always has another way to reach us, and so Silas and Timothy, who were less well known by the "Jews" and the "crowds" (verse 13), were able to remain and teach the new Jewish and Gentile Christians of Berea. God is going to reach your need. He has surrounded you with the Holy Spirit, the written Word of God (the Bible), Christians who are shown your need, and His holy angels who are directed to help you. He has many resources and He has devoted them all to you.

Paul was being escorted away from Berea, because his life had been in danger. He left word with the Berean Christians who were with him, to go back and tell both Silas and Timothy to "come to him as soon as possible." Paul needed people, just like the rest of us. With that command, the Berean Christians (some of whom were Gentiles but most were Jews), left him and returned to Berea. Athens, by the way, was about 200 miles south of Berea, which meant that considerable TIME occurred between verses 14 and 15.

It’s wonderful, by the way, that we at last are given the potential for true companionship in Christ Jesus. Not only with Him, but also with those other Christians He has placed into our lives. For most of us, it’s probably the first time in our lives we have truly "connected" with other human beings. I know it has been so for me – previously it was only acquaintances and now it’s much more. God not only gives us Himself, in Christ Jesus, but He also gives us one another.

Paul’s spirit was PROVOKED within him, as he saw the rampant idolatry in Athens. I wonder why WE are not similarly provoked, as we see the idolatry in our land? We are taught all through Psalms to hate evil (Psalm 97:10 is an example); yet we are absorbed in TV sets, computers, cars, movies and video games. It’s not that such things are inherently evil, for they can be used for good as well as bad. It’s that we give them our attention and our time, when we should first look to our God and the things of God.

We tend to idolize people (movie stars and football players are examples) and give lip service to God. We often love our country but tolerate God, who allows our country to exist. Paul was in Athens, waiting for Silas and Timothy to come to him from Berea (see verse 15), and I can SEE in my mind, this little man of God, pacing back-and-forth, as he considered the idolatry that was all around him.

Paul was waiting for Silas and Timothy (see verse 15) but he was never one to wait quietly. Here he was, right back in the local synagogue, debating with the Jews and "God-fearing Gentiles" (converts to Judaism). And he was in the agora, the market place, debating with anybody who happened to be there. His recent experiences would tend to deter most men. Paul, on the other hand, looked at or regarded his experiences (2^nd Corinthians 11:22 & forward) but FOLLOWED the Holy Spirit of God.

God made him just the way he was. He was GIVEN the Holy Spirit of God, and he would follow Him, right into the jaws of death. Many of us would say, "Well, I won’t do THAT again" when things seem to go wrong – especially when we are run out of town, as had just happened to Paul in Berea (verses 13 and forward). Paul was now in Athens, where God wanted him to be; and he was debating with everyone he met, which was what God wanted him to do.

The "philosopher" is usually one who thinks they have reached a place of enlightenment or wisdom, where they not only feel they have solved their own problems, but they can solve the problems of others, as well. The "Epicureans" taught that the chief purpose of man is to achieve happiness. The "Stoics" were unmoved by pleasure or pain. Note the attitude toward anyone with a different viewpoint: "What would this idle babbler wish to say?" There was a time, decades ago, when I thought I had an excellent philosophy of life.

Much like the Athenians, I took from ideas around me and incorporated them into what I thought was a good philosophy. But then life intervened and how quickly it all came tumbling down, because mere ideas will not SUSTAIN us within the troubles of life. Notice they did not LISTEN to Paul – They heard him in a superficial way, deciding that "Jesus" was one kind of "god" and "resurrection" was another. When we think we have all the answers, as the Athenians did, our pride will block us from effectively hearing the truth.

The Areopagus was both a hill in Athens, named for the "god" of war, "Ares" or "Mars," and also was the name of the council which met on that hill. It was essentially a court; one which originally had been charged with questioning the morals and rights of teachers who lectured in public. When they took Paul to this place, they thought they were serving the public good. Someone was ALWAYS dragging Paul to someplace or another; feeling good about themselves when they did it.

Curiosity was like a drug to these men of the Areopagus (see verse 19), as it is for many others, leading people into all sorts of places and difficulties. Yet our curiosity is also a wonderful tool in the hand of God, for the benefit of humanity. I often remember that one of the co-discoverers of anesthesia, got his idea from Genesis, where God "put Adam into a deep sleep" (Genesis 2:21) before operating on him and producing Eve from his side. The inventor was curious – if an anesthetic worked with Adam, would it work with others also?

God really wants to "operate" on our "hearts" and produce Christ in us. These men of Athens merely wanted to hear something new - something that would lessen their boredom. They were much like the purchasers of the latest tabloid newspaper, not really intending to believe the content of the message at all, but just wanting to hear SOMETHING different. God will use our curiosity, however, and many of the merely "curious" have come to belief in Christ.

These Athenians and the "strangers" who traveled to visit with them, sound very much like modern Americans. There is so little of SUBSTANCE in what we typically share with one another. Much of our communications seem to involve GOSSIP about some movie star, politician or ballplayer. It is not some philosophy or "new" idea that we thirst for – that which is REAL is what we need.

The Athenians were a very logical group. You can say they INVENTED our formalized system of thinking logically. The problem is that logic can be (and often is) built upon a false premise. The framework of the "building" may be beautiful and well thought out, but without a true foundation (Jesus explores this in Luke 6:48-49), the whole logical system will collapse, when life brings us one of its many "storms".

(For "Areopagus" see verse 19). I continue to be very impressed with the CHOICES of God. This was Paul, the man God chose, not only for that time, but for all subsequent history until the return of Jesus Christ to this world. He was the man who had been instrumental in the death of Stephen (Acts 8:1), and he dragged others away, men and women alike, tossing them into prison for their belief in Jesus (Acts 8:3). But now he stands in Athens, speaking for the very Christ he had attacked, not that long ago. Our Lord changes people.

This verse is an excellent example of the spiritual "gift" called "word of wisdom". An example of that gift was recently expressed in a "Daily Bread" issue, where they spoke of writer Charles Trumbull. A profane drunk sat next to him on a train, and offered him a drink from a flask. Instead of condemning him, Trumbull replied, "No thank you, but I can see you are a very generous man." The "drunk’s" eyes lit up, they talked, and the man subsequently gave his life to Christ. Like with Paul ("I see you are very religious"), God gives us soft answers that can accomplish much.

Paul continues speaking to the "Areopagus" (verse 19) with the "word of wisdom" given him by the Lord (see verse 22). As to this "altar", by the way, a man named Pausanias (160 AD), wrote a ten-book "Description of Greece" which mentioned "altars" (plural) "to an unknown god" in Athens. Apparently there were several of them, of which Paul mentions one. Altars to "gods" were everywhere for the Athenians, and Paul mentioned one as a means of introducing Christ to an idolatrous people.

America historically has purported to be a "Christian" nation, and yet, at the same time, we have celebrated Halloween, knocked on wood, avoided the number "13", read our horoscopes, said "God bless you" when someone sneezed, and avoided walking under ladders. The list could be much longer and we are very much like the Athenians. This is actually a very superstitious nation (probably all nations are), and perhaps Americans are "religious" as a people, but not "Christian" – not at all.

God does not dwell in my church building or yours. Neither do we serve Him effectively by our busy religious activities. Actually, it is the other way around, for He tolerates your actions (and mine), when in fact He really wants your HEART. He created us, as a human race and as individuals. Some "philosophers" and "theologians" have felt we have somehow "created God", when in fact, it is the other way around. We are sustained by Him. Indeed, it is in CHRIST that the very atoms of our bodies are held together, and it is because of Him that we do not fall apart this minute (Colossians 1:17).

God does not need our temples (buildings); our programs, diligent study, our outward dignity, our knowledge, or even our ardent prayer (though He loves it when we pray). Even our love is patently imperfect, for we often "love" because we want something from the other person. Our bodies are "temples" built for occupancy by the Holy Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 6:19), but He does not truly "need" such things. Yet, the incredible fact about Him, is that His LOVE for you and for me is TOTAL and everlasting (John 3:16).

"Served" in the Greek, is "waited upon," as a person is waited upon by a servant who ministers to his needs. God has no "needs" as we understand them. What could we possibly give to the God who has no need of – anything! It is not us who "give" to Him, but instead the other way around – It is God who gives to you and to me. Your income, your food, your relationships with people, health, and everything else – all is GIVEN by God. How can we give to Him?

The answer is – we can’t give Him anything! And yet, there is a way. There is a "work" that can be done. In John Chapter 6, the "multitude" and the "disciples" had been looking for Jesus, not out of a hunger for God, but for the food He might give them (John 6:26). He told them of a greater "food" (verse 27), and they asked what "works" they could do? (Verse 28). "Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.’" How can you serve God the Father? BELIEVE in and receive the Son of God! You want to please God? Believe in His Son.

Wherever we are: Africa, China, Europe, we are one. To be against one another, as so many are, is to demonstrate there is sin in us and that we need Jesus Christ. We are one human race, whether northern or southern Irish, Bosnian or Serb, "black" or "white" – one people, the human race. The apparent separateness of our groupings is only like a mask we wear for a time. And then the mask will be gone.

There is a time appointed by God for us all. Like waters in a basin, we rush to His limits, and then we ebb, and are gone. It is important that we realize early - true religion is not in buildings such as temples; it’s based in the human heart and we need Christ in order to love one another (Matthew 22:37-39). The homeless man pushing the shopping cart is our brother. The lady convicted of a crime is our sister. Yes we do become part of a new family in Christ Jesus, but He died to save the old family of Adam, and it’s our job to help those of the old family come into the new.

The purpose of our lives is that we will "grope" or fumble for God in this blind world, and in seeking Him, find Him and be "saved". God is not far from us. Indeed, He is next to our "hearts", our inner being, and He is accessible to all. Athens, where Paul was speaking at this moment, was full of ornate temples and complex religions. We tend to make things difficult, but what God wants is simple: Just turn to Him, look to Christ and be saved.

The Greek word for "grope" is to "feel, touch, or handle", and is also used in Luke 24:39, where the resurrected Christ said to His disciples, "Touch Me" and see that I am real. "To see" in Scripture often carries the meaning "to understand." It is important that we "see" God, which is actually impossible, because we are sinners, but He does not leave us alone in this. The Holy Spirit of God is so close, so near, and though we are blind, yet we shall SEE – in Him.

Paul has been speaking since verse 18, where he had denied that he was introducing "strange deities" (new and previously unknown "gods") which his listeners thought were named "Jesus" and "Resurrection." Paul has gently responded to them, even though they referred to him as an "idle babbler" (as reflected in verse 18). Paul now quotes the Greek poet Aratus, from the 3^rd century BC. Paul was a well-educated freeborn Roman citizen, and as such, he would have been quite familiar with Greek culture (which was taught to Roman children).

Paul reaches into and uses their own literature, their culture, and draws analogies familiar to his listeners. Should we quit reading secular books, stop going to movies, and not listen to music that is not Christian? Perhaps for some it is best to not encounter the secular at all (they might "stumble" in their walk with the Lord). But for another, the movie, book or music may be the key to a 3^rd man’s heart. It is good to listen to the Holy Spirit of God and follow Him in what we do.

By the way, how can we pride ourselves in "our" accomplishments, for it is in Him that we live and move and have our being ("exist"). We are His "children" (His creation), and as such, we owe Him – everything!

We are His "children", which means we were created by Him. It is not the other way around. Some teach we somehow "create" Him, by our thoughts, will, and desires. Life and everything else is created by the Giver of life, and Him alone. Since He is our Creator, it is improper to limit the One who did the creating. Paul the Apostle was speaking to men who ostensibly worshipped statues to the "god of thunder" or whatever. It is absurd to think that the "Divine Nature" (God) could be the work of our hands.

And yet people often act in such a manner. A number of "pop religions" have taught that a human being should properly say "I am God!" Such a statement would be funny, if it were not so sad. Isaiah says it like this: "It (wood) becomes something for a man to burn, so he takes (wood) and warms himself; he also makes a fire to bake bread. He also makes a god and worships it; he makes it a graven image and falls down before it" (Isaiah 44:15). False religion closely examined, is often just that ridiculous.

Two important concepts are presented here. 1) God has "overlooked" our times of ignorance. To NOT believe in Christ reveals our ignorance, no matter how "intelligent" we may seem to be. How could God overlook Paul’s sins? For Paul had been a murderer. How could He forgive you and me? God has "overlooked" our ignorance by sending Christ Jesus, Who died for Paul’s sins, your sins, and mine. God valued you, to the extent that He sent His Son to die in your place. To receive Him is to accept the greatest Offer of all time.

2) We must repent, which is a change of our hearts, minds, and ways. The key to life is honest repentance for our sins and that’s where we all have a common need. Paul repented and he was forgiven. God is Holy; set apart from all that is base and sinful, and we have no innate holiness at all. Our only hope is to take into ourselves the Person of Jesus Christ, Who died for you and me. To encounter Him is to understand that we are sinners. To receive Him is to be saved from all sin.

God will "judge the world in righteousness." There is going to be a day, which will start like any other day, but on that day, Christ will return to judge the world. There is very little righteousness in this world. I spent many years in the Court system, working with judges, attorneys, and other officers of the Court. There is precious little "righteousness" in our human systems. Yet God has fixed a certain day when He who is righteous, will come to us with true righteousness.

This will be done through the One who came to us and died for all, the "Man" Jesus Christ. We will have no argument on that day, because the evidence for the Prosecution in this case is clear. Jesus died for our sins and He openly is risen from the dead, just as He said. Therefore, repentance (verse 30) is necessary and reasonable, for all the proof we need is before us in Christ Jesus. To honestly look to Him is to KNOW He is true – we will have no defense (except His Name) on the day of judgment that is to come.

We tend to not believe what we have not seen. Yet God continually reveals Himself in a variety of ways. Paul was an eyewitness of the resurrected Christ and he spoke with the conviction that truth will bring; yet they did not believe. It was not just the words either, whether of a man or the written Word of God. The Holy Spirit of God was prompting them internally, just like He is you and me. To "sneer" at the things of the Lord, by the way, is to place yourself in great danger.

I was once of those who scoffed at our Lord.  Fortunately (by His grace), God continued to allow life to press me in, eventually driving me to Him. Also, I was one who "shall hear you again concerning this." I was in no hurry and it did not occur to me at the time that I might have no more time. So often, something done casually (or not done) is the last time we ever have that opportunity. In my case, God was very patient and gave lots of chances. When I was finally ready, He was still there for me. Don’t wait, though. Turn to Him now. This may be the last day for you or for me.

"So Paul went out of their midst." I am drawn again that we as people tend so strongly to drive the gentle Holy Spirit (and His people) right out of our lives. Our cleverness, our philosophical concepts, our ideas – we want the center stage. And so Paul went. They had indicated they would hear him again (verse 32). But he did not reply – he merely left. The Holy Spirit knew their hearts and led him (Paul) away from them.

God sends many people into our lives that tell us the truth about the Lord. So often, people "sneer" (as in verse 32), and others wait, not committing themselves one way or the other. But to wait is to make a decision, and if you go to eternity during the time you "wait", you won’t get another chance. Don’t miss the opportunity. When He is legitimately in your "midst", through the one He has sent – listen and respond, not to the man, but to the God Who sent him. Your life and your future is literally at stake.

But some of the Athenians did believe, and Dr. Luke, the writer of these words, names a couple of them. There are always those who come to the Lord, even in the most difficult places. This "Aeropagus" (verse 19 and context) was a setting where the "intellect" was valued above all else, and in such a place (where people think highly of themselves), it is the worst "soil" for the good Word of God. There are usually those who do turn to the Lord. Intelligent people, inquisitive people, educated people – all can come, simply on the basis of faith in Him. It is harder for the "intelligentsia" of this world to act in faith, but all things are possible with God.

Dionysius the Areopagite, was mentioned by Eusebius (Eccl. His. iii. iv,), within a discourse about a later person of the same name, who became the first Bishop of Athens. It seems that nowhere Paul went, did he win so few souls as he did at Athens. And yet, God’s Word did not return to Him wholly void. The seed fell on some good ground, and brought forth fruit unto eternal life.