Acts 17
1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:
2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
Paul's salt and he didn't sway away from The Truth bringing traditions into what he taught. He was there three weeks teaching Gods Word, documenting everything he said.
3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.
Paul is preaching to them of The One that died for them = Christ and is The One that defeated death = satan on the cross and spoken of in The Old Testament.
4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
Many had heard of Christ and the miracles He had shown. Paul helped them come to an even better understanding of Who Christ was and why He came.
5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
These Jews are of course the kenites, not the house of Judah. Some are just so set on being evil, they will refuse any Truth and would rather fight.
6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;
These evil ones didn't care if Jason and the others didn't have anything to do with it, they just wanted blood. Ever tried to teach The Truth to someone? Same effect with most today!
7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.
What these kenites are saying is that Jason is promoting another king other than Caesar. Evil will twist the truth at any cost.
8 And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.
9 And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.
Jason and the others have posted bail, paying them off with their greed seems to be what they like then and today.
10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
"Berea"- Hebrew word = "well watered". Paul and Silas are in the synagogue here in Berea.
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Those in Berea hungered for Truth. They took the time to study giving that time to God "DAILY". Don't ever take someone's word for anything, mine or others. 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.
Beara was [well watered] with the Word of God. Those of Thessalonica were just as those kenites looking to make trouble.
14 And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.
Paul boarded a ship for Athens. The people of Berea didn't want any harm to come to him.
15 And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.
Once Paul got there, he realized he needed help from his brethren Silas and Timotheus. He could see just how far these people are from God.
16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
Paul was saddened by the evil he saw. He felt the urgency to get to work, spreading the news of Christ.
17 Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.
Paul reasoned with the Jews and Gentiles in Athens, bringing them to Christ that they will grow and lead others out of their idolatry.
18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.
Epicureans believed pleasure was the highest thing for humans, Stoicks was virtue and separate from reality. Free of pleasure, pain, passion, joy or sadness. Nothing new today because we have "educators" philosophers in academe that are too smart for their own good also. Looking for any reason to reject God.
19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?
Who is Christ?
20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.
21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)
All these philosophers had to do was sit around discussing religious theology. This is how The Truth will get lost in your churches and traditions will set in.
22 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.
These people are just being too religious. You should know Christianity isn't a religion, its the only reality. To many churches are religious today. They lack the understanding of the scriptures and won't teach it if they do know.
23 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 declare I unto you.
These people are trying to cover their butts by worshiping every god, refusing The God the same way the "unitarian churches" of today do.
24 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;
Paul is letting them know about their altar inscription "Unknown God". They can't see God for who He is. They want to make Him something they see and touch.
25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
There is nothing we can make with our hands to worship God. He made every element and has given every life. We are to worship Him†
26 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;
"blood" here should read elements. We are made of the elements of the earth to dwell on the earth. You won't find blood in the original manuscripts. We are made of one dust, of the same soil, made He all nations of the earth. "Ethnos" = tribes and races, Asian, African, Caucasian, etc. Our Father created us all from the same soil, meaning our flesh bodies are from the dust of the earth. The "curve" = DNA structure is a bit different than another Ethnos, so our blood is different as in types, but we are all made of the same dust = elements of the earth.
27 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:
Father is there when we "seek" Him. You want peace in an evil world? Only through Him can you have it, but you must go to Him to gain it.
28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
As He is our Father. Only by Him do you and me live. Only by Him are you here at this place and time.
29 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.
Make whatever image you want to, it won't be God. God is God, not something you can make, even though many try. Somewhat relevant seeing many don't know God. Just had a "Jehovah's witness" try to give me their literature. I told her she doesn't know who Christ is and she said they believe in Jesus. I said so does Islam.
30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
That time of ignorance was before Christ. Not one that has heard of Him will have any excuses when they are face to face with Him.
31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
No excuse when you stand before Him. You believe Him or reject Him. One brings reward the other punishment. Heaven will be heaven because no evil is there.
32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.
The Epicureans and Stoicks don't believe in life after death and think such a thing is man made. They are wanting to debate on it.
33 So Paul departed from among them.
Paul isn't going to waste his time with those that want
to debate The Truth. Don't ever waste yours either. Some will say "it's never a waste of time when you
can bring people to God's Word" and that is true. The thing is having
sense enough to know who is just looking for a fight. Matthew 7:6
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs,
neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their
feet, and turn again and rend you.
34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
Some listened and sought after The things of God. Plant and pray, that's sometimes all you can do. They know where to find you if they want to. More importantly, they know Christ is there †