A. INTRODUCTION
1. The Berean Christians accompanied Paul to Athens because they were concerned for his safety.
2. In the province of Achaia, Paul ministered to Athens and Corinth, but preached the same message of the gospel.
a. Athens – philosophy, center of science, arts and religion.
b. Corinth – direct, center of trade and transportation.
B. PAUL’S MINISTRY IN ATHENS – ACTS 17:15-34
1. The religious life – home to temples and altars to gods such as Zeus (Jupiter) and Athena, as well as “the unknown God” (Acts 17:23). “Now while Paul waited . . . his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols” (Acts 17:16).
2. Approach to ministry.
a. Synagogue. “Therefore, he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshippers” (Acts 17:17).
b. Public place. “. . . and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there” (Acts 17:17).
3. Not receptive. “. . . spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing” (Acts 17:21).
4. Paul preached.
a. He began where they were (preached from an inscription).
b. He built bridges. He identified, “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth” (Acts 17:24).
c. He lifted them to Christ. “He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained . . . by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:31).
5. Rejection. “And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked” (Acts 17:32).
6. Did Paul compromise his message?
a. No, great church.
b. Not quote scripture.
c. Cut off when mentioned Christ.
7. Paul came to where they were.
a. “However, some men joined him and believed” (Acts 17:34).
b. Example of reaching people.
C. PAUL’S MINISTRY IN CORINTH – ACTS 18:1-17
1. The city was a harbor and trade center. Small ships transported over Isthmus on wooden rails. It was a city of loose morals. Greeks described immorality “to live like Corinthian.”
2. Paul, the tent maker. Aquila and Priscilla were from Galatia, and moved to Rome until Claudius’ persecution drove them to Corinth.
3. Silas and Timothy came bringing money (Phil. 4:15). Paul had more time to preach. “Paul was constrained by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ” (Acts 18:5).
4. Because for Jewish opposition. “. . . from now on I will go to the Gentiles” (Acts 18:6).
5. There was a new synagogue. “. . . entered the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshipped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue” (Acts 18:7).
6. The Lord appeared. “Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vison, ‘Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you.’ And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the Word of God among them” (Acts 18:9-11).
7. There was persecution against the church. “. . . the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat” (Acts 18:12). “Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat” (Acts 18:17). Sosthenes was converted (1 Cor. 1:1).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
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