October 27 Daily Devotional

Acts 17

Paul came to Athens, which was the chief center of Greek culture. He saw the masterpieces of art, magnificent statues, elaborate temples and many altars. He met Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. His spirit was stirred when he saw the large city, with all the worldly splendor and achievements, given to darkness and idolatry. Of course there was a synagogue with some devout Jews. Paul entered and spake to them about Christ and salvation. On the market place he met all kinds of people that were curious to hear his discussions.

Then certain philosophers said scornfully, “What will this babbler say? Other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods.” And they took him to Mars Hill (Areopagus), where learned men were wont to assemble for discussions, and said to him, “May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? For thou bringest … strange things to our ears; we would know therefore what these things mean … Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him I declare unto you. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of our own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: because he hath appointed a day, in which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance … in that he hath raised him from the dead.”

“And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter … Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed; among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.”