Devotional Acts 17: Paul in the Areopagus and the Defense of the Faith Analysis of Acts 17: the journey through Thessalonica, Berea and Athens. Learn to maintain the faith and give reason for your hope in the face of opposition. Topics: Devotional, New Testament.

Devotional Acts 17: Paul in the Areopagus and the Defense of the Faith

The devotional of today is in the book of Acts, chapter 17 and this is what happened.

Synopsis: in this chapter, Paul, Silas and their companions, sent by the apostles and the church of Jerusalem, continue to fulfill the commandment of Jesus (i.e., to spread the gospel to all nations). For each place they passed, they spread the gospel following the following sequence: the Jews in the synagogues and then the pious Gentiles. First, they spread the gospel in Thessalonica, where many were converted (Jews and Gentiles), but envious Jews incited riots and complained to the authorities to expel them from there. Second, they fled to Berea, where there were more noble and eager-to-read Jews than in Thessalonica, and there they had to be more methodical in the explanation and argumentation in favor of Christ; however, despite many being converted, the Jews of Thessalonica came as soon as they knew that they were spreading the gospel to stop their efforts. Finally, they fled to Athens, where Paul became indignant with the idolatry of the Athenians. Furthermore, while Paul was preaching the good news, the people mocked him for talking about gods they didn’t know. Therefore, they took Paul to the Areopagus before the people so that he could justify what doctrine this is that he preaches. Paul addressed the people defending his faith, doctrine and explaining that the God they call unknown is the God he speaks and defends. Finally, many ended up believing in Jesus Christ.

Observations

These were my observations.

1. The persecution of the bold Christians by the enemy is incessant. Jesus Christ before leaving commanded us to spread the gospel to all corners of the world (Mark 18:15 NIV). But he also warned us that we would be persecuted for His sake and that we would be more blessed for it (Matthew 5:10–12 NIV). Furthermore, He also affirmed that in this world we will have afflictions, but that we will find peace in Him because He has overcome the world (John 16:33 NIV). And in this chapter, Paul, Silas and their companions went through several tribulations just as Jesus promised. But they never got discouraged. On the contrary, they became bolder and continued to spread and better argue the case of Jesus Christ before the other beliefs of the peoples they evangelized. This is an example of conduct that as Christians we should adopt. For, in the days of today, sharing the gospel and defending the truth of Jesus Christ is increasingly difficult because of the intolerance of ideas and the cancellation culture for divergence of ideas. Therefore, we must prepare ourselves to face all the difficulties that may appear because The Lord is with us (Psalm 23:4 NIV).
2. We must always be ready to defend our faith and beliefs. In this chapter, Paul and his companions found in Thessalonica, Berea and Athens cultured people who had arguments to justify their beliefs. Therefore, they had to present good arguments and evidence to justify their beliefs in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of humanity. For if they did not know how to defend their beliefs in Jesus Christ well, they would not be able to help the multitude of people in the process of conversion to Christianity. Therefore, Simon Peter told us the following: “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV). Therefore, we must continue to study the Holy Scriptures, seeking wisdom and understanding in God, so that we can adequately defend our faith and belief in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. So that those who are on the wall can have their doubts cleared and thirst for truth quenched.