June 25
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PAUL PREACHES IN ATHENS
A poem by ILMA
While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was troubled by the idols around
He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles
Paul relentlessly spoke daily to whoever was present in the public square
He had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers.
When Paul told them about Jesus and his resurrection, they questioned him
They asked him to tell them about this new teaching as they are into latest ideas
Paul addressed and spoke to them their religiosity displayed in their many shrines
“One of the altar’s inscription said ‘To an Unknown God’. This is my God.
Paul continues “He is the God who made the world and everything in it
Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples
Human hands can’t serve his needs-for he has nothing of those needs
He himself gives life and breath to everything and satisfies every need.”
When they heard Paul about the resurrection, some laughed in contempt
Others said, “We want to hear more about this later,” and some became believers
Among those who joined Paul and became believers were Dionysius, from the council
Another woman named Damaris and others with her also became believers.
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MEMORY VERSE
His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him-though he is not far from any one of us. – Acts 17:27
Read: Acts 17
In this account, we witness Paul’s boldness to address idolatry in Athens. He wasn’t intimidated by the people who laughed at his preaching when he talked about the resurrection of Jesus. He continued to make Jesus and the God he loves to be known to these people who was all so full of themselves.
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REFLECTION
• Can you be bold enough when people resist the truth that you are presenting to them?