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Congregation Bible Study (30 mins.) bt ch. 18 pars. 16-24.
16. Why did God make human beings?
God created us to seek Him and draw near to Him, although human beings sometimes try to find the purpose of life on their own, Paul explained that we were made to find God, because He is always close to those who sincerely seek Him.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Paul clarified to the Athenian philosophers the purpose of human existence: to seek God and establish a close relationship with him. He explained to them that the creator is not a distant or inaccessible being, but someone close and willing to be known, although the Athenians worshipped the unknown god.
Paul taught them that it was possible to know Him if they sought Him sincerely. He also highlighted the responsibility of each individual, including his own, when referring to humans in general using the term "we." This detail shows that no one is exempt from the need to draw close to God. His argument is complemented by Psalm 145:18, which emphasizes that Jehovah is close to those who call upon Him sincerely. Paul's example encourages us to help others understand that God is willing to establish a personal relationship with everyone.
In Acts 17:27, we see that God wants us to seek Him. Just as when someone searches for something valuable in the darkness, He is not far away, He is close to each one of us and wants us to know Him as a loving father.
Psalm 14518 This text shows that God is close to those who call him with sincerity, that means that even if we do not see him, he is ready to listen to us if we truly want to know him.
17, 18. Why would we expect humans to want to know God? What do we learn from the way Paul kept his listeners' attention?
Humans should want to know God because He gives us life, movement, and existence. Also, since we are His children, there is a special connection between us and our creator. Paul captured the attention of his listeners by quoting Greek poets they respected. In this way, he helped them understand something about God using ideas they already knew. This teaches us to be wise and look for ways to connect with people based on what they value or know.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Human beings should want to know God because we are completely dependent on him. Paul explained that it is thanks to God that we have life, we move and we have our being. He also quoted a Greek poet who recognized that we are all in a certain sense children of God, emphasizing that Jehovah is the creator of man from whom all people descend. This natural bond should awaken in every human being the desire to know him more deeply.
Paul showed great skill in holding his audience's attention by quoting Greek authors they respected. This approach demonstrated that he knew their culture well and used these references to create a bridge to his biblical message. In doing so, he made it easier for his listeners to understand fundamental truths about God. This teaches us the importance of using appropriate resources such as quotes from reliable sources to capture people's attention and help them reflect on their beliefs.
Acts 17:28 Paul reminded us that we depend on God for all our life, movement, existence, this should motivate us to seek him because without him we could not live or move.
Acts 17:28 Paul used the words of the Greek poets to build a bridge with the Athenians, this teaches us that when talking about God it is good to use examples or ideas that people already know so they understand better.
“He is telling everyone everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:29-31)
19, 20. (a) What did Paul tactfully say to show that it is illogical to use idols?
Paul said that if we are children of God, it makes no sense to think that he is like an object made of gold, silver or stone, something created by humans; with respect he showed that worshiping idols is not logical.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Acts 17:29 Paul explained that if God created us, it makes no sense to represent him with statues made of materials such as gold or silver. God is much greater and more alive than anything we can create.
Paul explained that if we are children of God, it makes no sense to think that the divine being is similar to objects made by humans such as gold, silver or carved stone. With this logic, he highlighted the incongruity of worshipping idols since it would be absurd for the creator who gave us life to be represented by something created by man.
Paul used inclusive expressions such as we should not to soften his advice and make it more acceptable. This teaching is based on biblical texts that deny the usefulness of idols such as Psalm 115:4-8 and Isaiah 44:9-20.
19, 20. b) What were the Athenians supposed to do?
He told them to repent and leave idolatry behind. He also explained to them that it was time to learn the truth about God and live as He expects.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Psalm 115:4-8 This text says that idols cannot speak, see or hear and that those who worship them end up being like them without spiritual life, this shows that worshiping idols has no benefit.
Paul told them that they needed to repent. He explained that God had overlooked their ignorance in the past, but that now he was asking them all to change their ways. This call included recognizing that idolatry was a sin and abandoning the practice.
Paul showed them that as children of God they had the responsibility to seek Him, learn the truth about Him, and live according to His standards.
21, 22. With what striking conclusion did Paul close his speech, and what do those words mean?
Paul concluded by saying that God has set a day to judge all mankind in justice, using a man who was resurrected, Jesus Christ. These words mean that there will be a 1,000-year day of judgment in which the faithful will receive great blessings. The resurrection of Jesus is proof that this wonderful future is real and not a dream.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Paul closed his speech with a powerful statement, God has fixed a day when he will judge mankind through a man he himself appointed, guaranteeing this by raising him from the dead. This statement shocked the Athenians, as it pointed to a unique human judge who had previously died and then been resurrected, although he did not mention the name, the reference to the Miracle of the resurrection made it clear that it was Jesus Christ for Christians, these words have a deep meaning, they identify Jesus as the judge appointed by God.
They also reveal that the day of judgment will be a period of 1000 years where humanity will be judged with justice and love. That day that is approaching will offer the opportunity to receive eternal blessings to those who are found faithful.
Acts 17:31. Paul mentioned that there will be a day of judgment in which God will judge everyone through Jesus Christ who was resurrected. This gives us hope that bad things will end and justice will be done.
In John 5:22, this text says that God gave Jesus the responsibility to judge, this means that the judgment will be fair and based on the love and wisdom of Jesus.
“Some […] became believers” (Acts 17:32-34)
23. What reactions did Paul's speech provoke?
The reactions were varied, some mocked, others showed interest but did not want to commit themselves, a few accepted the message and became believers, like Dionisio and Damaris. This teaches us that not everyone accepts the message but there are always people who value it.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The reaction to Paul's message reflects how people respond to the message of truth in any age. Those who scoffed probably considered the idea of resurrection absurd, which was a difficult concept for the Greek philosophers to accept. Those who showed kindness but put the matter off demonstrated a superficial but uncommitted interest. Finally, those who accepted the message represented those with a receptive heart.
Dionisio and Damaris are notable examples of people who, upon hearing the truth, were willing to act, standing out in an environment influenced by paganism. Today, Christians face similar reactions when preaching. Some mock, others postpone their interest, but there are always those who accept the truth and embrace it with faith, which gives great joy and confirms that the message continues to touch sincere hearts.
Acts 17:32 Some mocked when Paul spoke of the resurrection which shows that not everyone accepts the good news however this did not stop Paul from continuing to preach
Acts 17:34 Although some mocked, others believed, like Dionysius and Damaris. This teaches us that there are always people willing to accept the message and it is worth continuing to preach for them.
24. What lessons does Paul's speech that we have just analyzed teach us?
We learn to use logical arguments and adapt to our audience, as we must be patient and speak tactfully, especially with those who are influenced by false beliefs, we must not soften the truth to avoid upsetting others. By putting this into practice we can teach better and help more people to seek God and find Him.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
An analysis of Paul's speech to the Areopagus offers valuable lessons that we can apply in our preaching. First, it highlights the need to use clear and convincing arguments based on logic and references that the listener can understand. This includes adapting our approach according to the culture or religion of the listener.
Paul also showed patience and tact in addressing erroneous beliefs such as idolatry, not attacking them directly, but making it clear why they are not logical from a biblical point of view.
Paul's attitude reminds us to be kind to those who are under the influence of false doctrines, at the same time Paul did not soften the message. This teaches us that we should not compromise the truth for fear of causing rejection, since the truth itself is what can motivate sincere people to change their lives. Therefore, applying these lessons makes us better teachers and publishers and prepares us to guide with love and firmness those who seek to know Jehovah.
Isaiah 44:9-20. This passage shows the absurdity of idols and worshipping them, as they are just objects created by men. Paul used this same reasoning to help the Athenians understand that only God deserves worship.
Acts 17:27. Paul teaches us that we must help others seek God by adapting to their level of understanding and using clear examples. This helps us to be better teachers and help more people find God.
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