Paul's Passing Thoughts

Tuesday Night Bible Study
March 17, 2015

Study of the Book of Acts

Tonight’s Text – Acts 17:22-34

Brief review

1. The “superstitious” Athenians
   1. Idolatry and “devotions”
      1. σεβασμα (seh-BAS-ma) – something adored. An object of worship
      2. “too superstitious”
         • δεισιδαιμονεστερος (“dice-ee-dah-ee-mon-ES-ter-os”)
           • δειλος (DIE-los) – a sense of dread, timid.
           • δαιμον (“dah-EE-mon”) – a demon, a supernatural spirit.
   2. Paul makes a comparison
   3. The dynamic at work.
2. Making the “Unknown God” known
   1. God the Creator
      • Needs no man-made dwelling
      • Not worshiped in a “place”
   2. “Unity” of man
      • “out of one blood” rather than the making of one blood
   3. The “offspring” of God
      • Citation of secular literature
      • A philosophical appeal, not theological
3. Paul’s argument for God’s existence
   1. God is not defined by the material/physical
      • because His offspring are not defined that way
   2. God is aware of man’s ignorance
   3. God is ready to deal with ALL men EVERYWHERE
      • repentance from ignorance
      • warning of coming judgment
   4. Assurance by the testimony of Jesus Christ
4. Results of Paul’s discourse
   1. Some mocked
      • “throw out the lip” – compare with Psalm 22:7
   2. Some believed
      1. Dionysius the Areopagite
      2. Damaris
      3. Others