His Word Today

“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man.” (Acts 17:24)

Paul began his message to the Athenians by noting their religiosity. He even remarked about one of their altars which had the inscription, “TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.”

One commentator explains that, “This is an apparent attempt by the Athenians to cover all their bases and avoid offending any god at all, even one they might not know. Paul uses this as a point of contact, declaring he knows this God and can tell them how to worship Him rightly.

Paul identified the “UNKNOWN GOD” with the One, True God of the Bible. Paul told the Athenians about this God who they had already acknowledged existed and regarded worthy of honor. Paul will give the Athenians valuable and biblical knowledge of God.

First, Paul told the Athenians that God is the true creator of the universe. He is the one who made the world and everything in it. Therefore, God is greater than His creation. He is Lord and sovereign ruler of the earth. He cannot be contained, nor does He live, in man-made temples.

God is the self-sufficient creator. He does not need anything outside of Himself. While God’s creation needs Him to exist, God does not need anything from His creation to exist. He has no need for anything from us.

It is important for us to remember Paul’s audience consisted of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. The Epicureans believed the Greek gods were remote and uninvolved in human affairs. The Stoics, on the other hand, believed in a divine principle that reason and logic dominated the cosmos.   

In response, Paul preached that God was a personal being who was transcendent over the universe, in contrast to the Stoics. Paul also preached that God also was deeply intimate and involved with His creation and creatures, in contrast to the Epicureans.  

God is neither an impersonal philosophy or force nor an uninvolved clock watcher who has no role in human life and living. As we shall soon see, it is in the Lord of heaven and earth that we live, move and have our being.

Take the time today to praise and worship this One, True God.

Soli deo Gloria!

^22” So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. ²³ For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.” (Acts 17:22–23)

Luke often recorded the Apostle Paul preaching and teaching in the synagogues within the various cities to which he and his companions traveled. However, in today’s text Paul is not preaching and teaching in a synagogue but rather he is standing in the midst of the Areopagus, otherwise known as Mars Hill.

His presentation of the Gospel is masterful. He does not openly condemn the Athenians for the blatant idolatry. Rather, he used their very idolatry as an object lesson tool.

Paul began his message by saying, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious.” Paul expressed that he understood the widespread religiosity of the Athenians. He also did not say that they were just religious, but rather that they were devoutly religious. Realize that this statement can be understood in either a positive or negative way. Certainly, Paul had in mind the latter and not the former.

Paul then wisely points to one of the Athenians very own idols. He said, “²³ For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’” What did the inscription “to the unknown god” mean?

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “Possibly a reference to the Altar of the Twelve Gods of Athens, erected to ensure that no god is left out of their worship Paul uses this point of contact to begin his discourse about the God who made the world, who is not carved out of stone or confined to any temple, and who controls the times and the seasons where people live.”

Paul then said, “What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.” The word “unknown” means to be unaware or ignorant of something, or in this case, someone: namely God. It is this One, True God who Paul would now proclaim to the Athenians in attendance.

What point of contact can you use to those who you know who do not know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior? What objects do you observe your friends, or family members, worshipping and honoring? Use this as a starting point to explain the Gospel and the reality of the One, True God of the Bible.

Soli deo Gloria!

Why did Jesus Christ come to earth? Why was He born to a virgin named Mary?

In 2017, Dr. R. C. Sproul went home to be with the LORD. He was founder of Ligonier Ministries, founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., and first president of Reformation Bible College. He was author of more than one hundred books, including The Holiness of God, which for me personally is an annual read.

In the December 2005 issue of Ligonier Ministries’ Tabletalk Magazine, which addressed the subject of The First Advent, Dr. Sproul wrote an article entitled Born of the Virgin Mary. The following is a concluding excerpt from that article.

It is important to note that for Christ to be our perfect Mediator, the incarnation was not a union between God and an angel, or between God and a brutish creature such as an elephant or a chimpanzee. The reconciliation that was needed was between God and human beings.

In His role as Mediator and the God-man, Jesus assumed the office of the second Adam, or what the Bible calls the last Adam. He entered into a corporate solidarity with our humanity, being a representative like unto Adam in his representation. Paul, for example, in his letter to the Romans gives the contrast between the original Adam and Jesus as the second Adam. In Romans 5, verse 15, he says, “For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.”

Here we observe the contrast between the calamity that came upon the human race because of the disobedience of the original Adam and the glory that comes to believers because of Christ’s obedience. Paul goes on to say in verse 19: “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.”

Adam functioned in the role of a mediator, and he failed miserably in his task. That failure was rectified by the perfect success of Christ, the God-man. We read later in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians these words: “And so it is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being.’ The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man” (1 Cor. 15:45).

We see then the purpose of the first advent of Christ. The Logos took upon Himself a human nature, the Word became flesh to effect our redemption by fulfilling the role of the perfect Mediator between God and man. The new Adam is our champion, our representative, who satisfies the demands of God’s law for us and wins for us the blessing that God promised to His creatures if we would obey His law. Like Adam, we failed to obey the Law, but the new Adam, our Mediator, has fulfilled the Law perfectly for us and won for us the crown of redemption. That is the foundation for the joy of Christmas.

Have a blessed Second Sunday of Advent as we worship the eternal God/Man: Jesus Christ. Fully God and fully man.

Soli deo Gloria!  

^16 “Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. ¹⁷ So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. ¹⁸ Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. ¹⁹ And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? ²⁰ For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” ²¹ Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.” (Acts 17:16-21)

After their initial remarks about Paul’s preaching and teaching, the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers took him and brought him to the Areopagus. They stated, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? ²⁰ For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.”

The Areopagus was located on a hill northwest of the Acropolis in Athens overlooking the marketplace (Acts 17:19). “Areopagus” also refers to the Athenian council or court that met there. The irregular limestone outcropping was also known as Mars Hill, Mars being the Roman equivalent of the Greek god Ares.

The Tyndale Bible Dictionary explains that, “Paul was taken to the Areopagus after he had been reasoning with Jews and God-fearing Gentiles in the Athenian synagogue and marketplace (agora) for several days (Acts 17:16–21). Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers involved in those discussions brought Paul before the council but evidently not for an official arraignment. Trials were held at the Areopagus; there, some five centuries earlier, Socrates had faced those who accused him of deprecating the Greek gods.”

It appears that Paul went before the council. The council met in order to supervise the city’s education, morals and religion and also to make sure that any new teachings did not pose a threat to the state. Therefore, Paul was compelled to present the Gospel so that the council might pass judgment upon it.

However, the people were also curious. Luke’s comment bears this out when he wrote, “Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new” (Acts 17:24).

As we will see, the overall tone of Paul’s address to the council does not suggest judicial proceedings. He spoke as an intelligent Christian who was able to converse with the intellectual Athenians on their own intellectual level (Acts 17:22–31).

More to come.

Soli deo Gloria!

^16 “Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. ¹⁷ So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. ¹⁸ Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. ¹⁹ And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? ²⁰ For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” ²¹ Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.” (Acts 17:16-21)

Upon engaging the Athenian crowds in the city’s marketplace, the Apostle Paul encountered some of the Greek Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. A brief summary of these two philosophical systems is appropriate.

Epicurious (342-270 B.C.) taught that the purpose of life was pleasure and freedom from pain, passions and fears. In effect, Epicureans believed in the motto, “Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die.”   In other words, Epicureanism taught to enjoy life as much as possible because it will be over soon. How many modern Epicureans do you know?

In contrast, Cypriot Zeno (340-265 B.C.), the founder of Stoicism, taught living in harmony with nature and to depend upon reason and other self-sufficient abilities. The Stoics viewed God as a pantheistic “world-soul.” A Stoic is a person who can endure pain or hardship without showing their feelings or complaining. They prize logic above emotions. E.g. Mr. Spock of Star Trek. How many Stoics do you know who never let anyone see them sweat?

The response by both Greek schools of philosophical thought to the Apostle Paul and the Gospel was contemptuous at worst and flippant at best. Some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” A babbler was an ignorant show-off. He was an ideological scavenger who, like a theological rummager or scrounger, collected scraps of knowledge and/or peddled various ideas.

Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.” Foreign divinities were devalued by the Athenian intellectual elite. That was their perspective of Jesus Christ and His resurrection from the dead, which is a shorthand term denoting the Gospel. The Athenians looked down upon the person and work of Christ.

Once again, who do you personally know who adheres to either of these ancient Greek philosophies? They may not even realize they do. It is how they live their lives. However, without the truth of the Gospel, their philosophy of life is ultimately meaningless.

Do not be distressed about the various philosophies within our current culture. Remember, our mission field is anyone outside of the Christian faith. Share the Gospel to any and all.

Soli deo Gloria!  

^16 “Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. ¹⁷ So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. ¹⁸ Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. ¹⁹ And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? ²⁰ For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” ²¹ Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.” (Acts 17:16-21)

The Tyndale Bible Commentary explains that, “The Christian message was first brought to Athens by the apostle Paul on his second missionary journey about ad 50. His only reference to Athens is in 1 Thessalonians 3:1, where he indicated that he and Timothy arrived in the city together but that shortly thereafter he sent Timothy back to Thessalonica while he remained alone in Athens.”

“Luke has provided a more complete account of Paul’s ministry there (Acts 17:16–34). His arrival in a city marked by many statues to the gods, which surpassed anything he had seen in other cities, provoked in him strong feelings against such rampant idolatry. Reared in the strict monotheism of Judaism, Paul apparently viewed Athens as the epitome of sin, and the cultural majesty of the city could not undo this impression.”

In arriving in Athens, the Apostle Paul did what he normally did when entering a city: he found a Jewish synagogue and began reasoning with Jews, and other devout persons who were Gentiles, from the Scriptures.  Additionally, he engaged in conversation with people he met in the marketplace. Paul went to the business center of town and spoke with not only those who selling, but also those who were buying. In effect, Paul went to the mall of his day and interacted with those he met. The market place was also where Athenian philosophers gathered to debate the latest ideas.

Do you take the opportunity to engage in spiritual conversation with people at work, in your neighborhood or when you’re shopping; at either a department, or grocery, store? We must make most of every opportunity the Lord gives us to proclaim His name and share the Gospel.

I Peter 3:15 says, “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”  

Have a blessed day.

Soli deo Gloria!

^16 “Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. ¹⁷ So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. ¹⁸ Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. ¹⁹ And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? ²⁰ For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” ²¹ Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.” (Acts 17:16-21)

Athens, Greece was the intellectual and cultural epicenter of the first-century world. Paul would have been comfortable in this setting. He grew up in the educational center of Tarsus. The leading Jewish thinkers and scholars in Jerusalem had taught him as a young student. Although Athens was no longer the political and commercial center since Rome conquered it in 146 B.C., it remained in Paul’s day the center of art, literature and Greek philosophy.  

The Tyndale Bible Commentary explains that, “Athens began its rise to glory in the sixth century bc, first under the leadership of Solon (d. 559 bc), who established democratic forms of government, and later under Pericles (d. 429 bc), when the magnificent buildings of the Acropolis took form. In this golden age, Athens became the center of philosophy, art, architecture, and drama.”

“By the time Paul brought the Christian message to Athens (Acts 17:15–34), the city had only a portion of its former glory and prestige. Roman emperors continued to extend patronage by providing for new buildings and the restoration of the Agora (marketplace). Athens continued to be the home of the most prominent university in the Greek world. Both Epicurean and Stoic philosophy had worthy representatives in the city.”

However, Paul’s spirit (mind, emotions and will) was provoked within him as he travelled in the city. He was angered, irritated and distressed. Why? Paul saw that Athens was full of idols. The city was dominated with images to false gods. While Luke does not say exactly how many idols there were in the city, they dominated the city’s landscape.

It seems that our own country and cities today are also full of images to idols. Everywhere you look there are pictures and other depictions of people, places and things that are portrayed as worthy of honor, praise and/or worship. What examples come to your mind?

More to come at hiswortoday.org. Have a blessed day as you serve, honor and worship the one, true God of the Bible. May each of us adhere to the command found in I John 5:21: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”

Soli deo Gloria!

^13 “But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds. ¹⁴ Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. ¹⁵ Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.” (Acts 17:13–15)

Opponents to the Gospel do not allow any distance, or defense thereof, to deter them from their hatred for and their desire to stop the preaching of the Gospel at all costs. While Paul and Silas may have left Thessalonica in order to further their ministry in Berea, the unconverted Jews of Thessalonica would not have it. They were determined to stop Paul at any and all costs.

Having heard that God’s Word was being proclaimed in Berea by the Apostle Paul, certain unbelieving Thessalonian Jews arrived in order to agitate and stir up the crowds. In other words, the Thessalonian Jews wanted to start a riot and cause an uproar.

Like in Thessalonica, the brothers in Christ feared for Paul’s safety. They quickly sent him off to sea. However, Silas and Timothy remained in Berea.

Paul sailed to Athens. It was shortly after he arrived there that he sent for Silas and Timothy to join him. They immediately departed Berea in order to join their missionary leader. A great challenge awaited them.

It is clear from 1 Thessalonians 3:1–6 that Silas and Timothy did rejoin Paul at Athens. Eventually, Silas likewise would be appointed by Paul to leave Athens and then meet him at Corinth (cf. Acts 18:1–5).

Sharing the Gospel in a pagan culture is not easy. Opposition is bound to occur. It may be at work, school, or even within your home. Following the Apostle Paul’s example, let us resolve to be faithful to God’s call.

Soli deo Gloria!

^10 “The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. ¹¹ Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. ¹² Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.” (Acts 17:10–12)

What does it mean to be known as a Berean? I wonder how many churches in America have the title “Berean” in their name.

In the context of today’s passage, the City of Berea, known today as Verria, was located approximately 50 miles (80 km) southwest of Thessalonica and in the foothills of the Olympian Mountains. Rome conquered Berea in 168 bc. Berea was one of the most populated Macedonian cities in the time of Christ.

Following the riotous behavior in Thessalonica against the Gospel in general, and the Apostle Paul in particular, the Thessalonian Christians quickly sent Paul and Silas at night to the City of Berea. When the two of them arrived in Berea, they immediately went in to the Jewish synagogue.

The Berean Jews were much more receptive to the Gospel. Unlike the Thessalonian Jews, the Jews in Berea received the preaching by Paul with much eagerness. They would examine the Scriptures on a daily basis to verify what Paul and Silas were preaching.

The result was that many Jews were converted along with several Greek women and men. The truth of the Gospel was spreading in Macedonia.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “The Bereans gave Paul’s teaching an open hearing and compared it with God’s written Word. Because of their integrity and discernment, many of them came to faith in Jesus the Christ.”  

Like the Bereans, may each of us give every message were hear an open hearing and compare it with God’s Word. May our integrity and discernment be like the Berean’s.

Soli deo Gloria!

Why did Jesus Christ come to earth? Why was He born to a virgin named Mary?

In 2017, Dr. R. C. Sproul went home to be with the LORD. He was founder of Ligonier Ministries, founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., and first president of Reformation Bible College. He was author of more than one hundred books, including The Holiness of God, which for me personally is an annual read.

In the December 2005 issue of Ligonier Ministries’ Tabletalk Magazine, which addressed the subject of The First Advent, Dr. Sproul wrote an article entitled Born of the Virgin Mary. The following is an excerpt from that article.

“Along with the great theologian and philosopher Anselm of Canterbury we ask the question, Cur deus homo? Why the God-man? When we look at the biblical answer to that question, we see that the purpose behind the incarnation of Christ is to fulfill His work as God’s appointed Mediator. It is said in 1 Timothy 2:5: “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself ….” Now, the Bible speaks of many mediators with a small or lower case “m.” A mediator is an agent who stands between two parties who are estranged and in need of reconciliation. But when Paul writes to Timothy of a solitary Mediator, a single Mediator, with a capital “M,” he’s referring to that Mediator who is the supreme Intercessor between God and fallen humanity. This Mediator, Jesus Christ, is indeed the God-man.”

“In the early centuries of the church, with the office of mediator and the ministry of reconciliation in view, the church had to deal with heretical movements that would disturb the balance of this mediating character of Christ. Our one Mediator, who stands as an agent to reconcile God and man, is the One who participates both in deity and in humanity. In the gospel of John, we read that it was the eternal Logos, the Word, who became flesh and dwelt among us. It was the second person of the Trinity who took upon Himself a human nature to work out our redemption.”

“He is vere homo (truly human) and vere Deus (truly divine, or truly God). These two natures are united in the mystery of the incarnation, but it is important according to Christian orthodoxy that we understand the divine nature of Christ is fully God and the human nature is fully human. So this one person who had two natures, divine and human, was perfectly suited to be our Mediator between God and men.”

Have a blessed First Sunday of Advent as we worship the eternal God/Man: Jesus Christ. Fully God and fully man.

Soli deo Gloria!