Laying the Foundation (Acts 17:22-29)

 

An invitation accepted “What does this all mean?”

Context in Athens, yet Paul is alone

  1. The Point of Contact Defined
    • Connection in their context
    • “Paul doesn’t commend them but takes it as a free matter for teaching” Calvin
    • What is our point of connection today?
  2. The Truth About God
    • “They indeed had a great company of gods whereof they spoke, but they know nothing of true divinity” Calvin
    • Maker of all, self-sufficient, king, Lord of all
    • Paul takes the creation account, the big picture of revelation, the basic principles of the gospel
    • “In an absolute sense…nothing is atheistic” Herman Bavinck
  3. The Truth About Man
    • One blood (KJV), one ancestor (NRSV) : contrast to Greek v’s Barbarian
    • V27 seek him “a purpose that will not be unconditionally achieved” Peterson
    • “though men’s senses fail them in seeking out God, yet they have no cloak for their fault” Calvin

A fruitful witness needs

  • Conviction of truth of the gospel
  • Conviction of vanity of all human philosophy
  • Understand true situation of the unbeliever is something they deny about themselves
  • Courage (leads to opportunity, leads to grace)