Acts 17

Noble Bereans

Acts 17:1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:

Paul did as Jesus, going first in each new area to the established worship place, the Synagogue of the Jews. There the knowledge of the promises of God were known. It was now up to him, through preparation in prayer and the power of the Holy Ghost, to bring a connection to them.

Acts 17:2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
Acts 17:3 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.

The Messiah, Jesus, in order to fulfill the scriptures must have had to suffer.

Isa 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
Isa 53:8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

Psa 22:14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
Psa 22:15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
Psa 22:16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
Psa 22:17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
Psa 22:18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

Also, according to the scriptures he would live again.

Psalm 16:8-10a
" 8 I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
10 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope

Psalm 89:27
"Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth."

Colossians 1:18
"And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence."

He preached the gospel message. The greatest message we can give to anyone. Note that even with his recent physical beatings, he is still enthusiatic for preaching the gospel. He could have only looked at the suffering and pain and given up. Let us be like Paul, loving to walk in our callings and remembering the blessings of God.

He was miraculously delivered from prison, and even used this to reach others and encourage them. Peter spoke of God being able to deliver us out of temptations and trials.

2 Pet 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

Acts 17:4 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.

Some believed, a great multitude of devout Jews, and many of the important women of enfluence.

Acts 17:5 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.

Unbelieving Jews, moved with envy

Envy will seek to destroy the one envied. The Jews delivered Christ to Pilate for envy.

Mat 27:18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

Jealous brothers were envious of Joseph and sold him

Acts 7:9 And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,

Saul for envy tried to kill David

1 Sam 18:7 And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.
1 Sam 18:8 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?
1 Sam 18:9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.

took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort,

Lewd, evil and wicked thugs from the street.

Acts 17:5 (The New Living Translation)
But the Jewish leaders were jealous, so they gathered some worthless fellows from the streets to form a mob and start a riot. They attacked the home of Jason, searching for Paul and Silas so they could drag them out to the crowd.

Acts 17:6 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;

Jason probably was keeping Paul in his home and having meetings there. They couldn't find Paul so they dragged Jason and others with him to the rulers.

turned the world upside down...

1 Cor 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1 Cor 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1 Cor 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
1 Cor 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

Acts 17:7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.

The same lie given about Jesus

Mat 21:4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
Mat 21:5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
John 18:38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

The Roman ruler Pilate called Jesus King

Mat 27:37 And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Jesus is indeed King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and should be supreme in the life of a Christian.

Acts 17:8 And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.

They troubled the people, they brought strife. I hate strife makers and so does God.

Prov 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
Prov 6:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
Prov 6:18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
Prov 6:19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Acts 17:9 And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.

They had to pay bail, money to be held until they were taken to trial. Isn't this one of satan's methods, to bring accusations and lawyers and court cases to bankrupt the accused? Much of the destruction , removing God from America is because of ungodly law suits. To avoid the court costs, many institutions have decided to keep God and Jesus out of their doings. We cannot keep Jesus out of our daily lives, He is our life!

Acts 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

Paul escapes and with great Holy Ghost power goes again to another city, Berea and into the synagogue to preach the gospel message. I must confess that I tire of witnessing on the Internet because of all the opposition from satan's people, it wears you down.Yet I continue through the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul spoke of his feelings;

1 Cor 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
1 Cor 2:3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
1 Cor 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
1 Cor 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

I love the determination of this man Paul.

Acts 17:11 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.

What made the people in the Synagogue more noble in Pauls sight? They searched the scriptures daily, examining them against Pauls words, and they had a mind that would receive. Too many are closed minded. Paul was being chased by envious closed minded religious people. Because the Bereans loved to examine the scriptures, many churches have taken unto themselves the name "Berean". Berean Baptist Church, and more then 19,000 other listings were found on an Internet search. Berean is a name associated with Bible study and searching the truth.

If Paul's preaching was carefully examined, should we not also carefully examine what we hear, in light of the Bibles truth?

Acts 17:12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
Acts 17:13 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.

Again Paul receives a harvest of souls for the Kingdom of God, but satan follows him as in the parable of the sower;

Mat 13:20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
Mat 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

We need to plant the seed of the word deep into our hearts, so that within us we may withstand persecution. Also we need the Holy Ghost for power to minister when things are not easy.

We are to be stirred up to excercise our gifts. Satan stirs up people into envy and strife. This is now the fifth city Paul has been run out of by an angry mob, stirred up by envious Jewish leaders.

Acts 17:14 And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.

This time, immediately Paul was sent away, we need to know when to go. These evil men would not respond to reason.

When Paul was in Thessalonica, he received financial support from the Christians in Philippi (Philippians 4:15-16). They helped with this successful work among the Thessalonians. We should support our missionaries who suffer much persecution.

Acts 17:15 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.

Paul sent for his beloved companions and immediately they departed to be with him. They had stayed behind, perhaps discouraged wondering why every effort was met with opposition, then their friend Paul calls them yet again, this time to Athens, the center of Greek philosophy and reason. Will Christianity stand up to reason and logic? Ask the Bereans, they believed in the infallibility of the scriptures, they knew truth. Those who rely on self will and their own mind, do not receive the gospel message so easily.

1 Cor 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
1 Cor 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
1 Cor 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Mars Hill

Acts 17:16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.

The Comforter, the Spirit of God convicts of sin, sin and idolotry were all around Paul.

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

Undoubtedly evil spirits and the pride of life were in abundance, this grieved the Spirit within Paul.

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

If you want to not grieve the Spirit, speak God's word and sing praises to God.

Do you bless others in their Spirit or do you grieve them? Do people see you as life and encouragment? Or are you a dark cloud? All need encouragment, how great to be walking in the light so that others are benefitted.

Acts 17:17 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.

Once again he goes to a Synagogue first to preach the gospel message and in the market daily. The place where people gathered.

Acts 17:18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler [seed picker] say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.

The Epicureans, belonging to the sect of Epicurus. Some of their beliefs are that reason will overcome all problems of life. When you die, you just become nothing. They are tolerant and use any means for personal protection.

These were as our politicians, in love with their own thoughts, tolerance taught, man made solutions to problems and extremely protective of their own interests and benefits.

The Stoicks, the philosophical life in which the subject accepts the will of providence, curbs the emotions, and acts towards others with patience and kindness, enjoying an inner state of tranquillity and well-being. These were moral and ethical, but not connected to the living God. Like some of our religious groups.

Acts 17:19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?

Areopagus, or Mars Hill, the place where new ideas were shared, the Greeks loved human reasoning. Show us your new doctrine?

This should not be the desire of the Christian. To be on the cutting edge of man's thinking, is to not dwell in the knowledge already revealed in God's word. Solomon asked for wisdom, this pleased God and God gave His wisdom to Solomon. Solomon wrote:

"The wind goes toward the south, and turns around to the north; the wind whirls about continually, and comes again on its circuit. All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; to the place from which the rivers come, there they return again." Ecclesiastes 1:6-7

King Solomon lived around three-thousand years ago and yet he had an astonishing understanding of global wind currents and the earth’s water cycle. The phrase, "The wind goes toward the south, and turns around to the north; the wind whirls about continually, and comes again on its circuit," is an accurate and astonishing description of the circular flow of air around the earth, called the "jet stream," well known to anyone who watches the evening news and weather reports. This verse also reveals that Solomon understood that the source of river water is the oceans. He states that the "sea" is " the place from which the rivers come, there they return again." (Mark Eastman - marshill.org)

To the Greeks it was the pursuit of new knowledge, in our recent past it was science as truth, now there are not many seeking truth, but instead they seek pleasures and entertainment. Even science has in some part given in to anti God thinking. Evolution, embrionic research, cloning of human life, these are things that should bow to God as creator and sustainer of life. But , they seek human wisdom, not looking to a higher being.

Blessings come from God, being in his word and in his presence. If we seek fulfillment another way, God is not pleased.

Isa 47:8 Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children:
Isa 47:9 But these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine enchantments.
Isa 47:10 For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me.

Paul described this self loving people;

2 Tim 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2 Tim 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2 Tim 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2 Tim 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Paul said that we were once like this, but Christ has changed us;

Titus 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
Titus 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Acts 17:20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.

The Greeks were curious regarding Paul's strange teachings, the door was opened to him. Curiosity is good, willingness to here is good.

Deu 4:28 And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.
Deu 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

Acts 17:21 (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.)

The Athenians and foreigners spent their time in pursuit of new things. Once again Solomon spoke of new things in his writings.

Eccl 1:9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
Eccl 1:10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.

The Bible speaks for us today, the common problems then, are as today.

Yet, this doctrine of Jesus does speak of new things;

A new Covenant through his shed blood;

Mat 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

The Jews at Jesus' time new that he was doing something new;

Mark 1:27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

Yes God was doing a new thing, removing sins, casting out demons, healing the afflicted, all by His Son, Jesus. Jesus is the way to a new life.

2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

How will Paul speak to the Greeks to where they will have understanding?

How will you speak to the unchurched society that you live in?
A good question, first we make a connection with something they know and have knowledge of. But, you must keep their interest. What you say must meet a need.

Acts 17:22 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. (very religious)
Acts 17:23 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.

When he observed their idols that they worshipped, he found a God that they worshipped, not knowing who it was. This the Holy Spirit pointed out to Paul was the opportunity to speak to them about the true nature of God.

What would you say in describing God the Father?

Acts 17:24 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;

Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Only in modern science are they finding that all things consist of time (In the beginning), space (created the heavens), and matter (the earth and its elements)

He is Lord, creator and owner of space and earth

Deu 10:14 Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD'S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.

He doesn't dwell in man made temples.

1 Ki 8:27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?

Yet he dwells in the new creation of Jesus, he is in us, we are the temples of God.

1 Cor 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

Acts 17:25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

Isa 42:5 Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:

The prophecy of Isaiah continues to describe our calling to witness to all peoples.

Isa 42:6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
Isa 42:7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
Isa 42:8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
Isa 42:9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.
Isa 42:10 Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.

How will we fulfill our call to reach the lost for jesus? We follow the Lord in His Spirit.We look for opportunities and interests. Then we tell them of our God and His son who came to bring us from sin to holiness. The chosen children of God.

God is calling

Acts 17:26 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;

All people are one blood through Adam and Eve

Gen 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

Gen 3:20 And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.

All people are descendants of Noah and his three sons.

Gen 9:18 And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan.
Gen 9:19 These are the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth overspread.

God scattered the people giving them diverse languages

Gen 11:4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
Gen 11:5 And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
Gen 11:6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
Gen 11:7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.
Gen 11:8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
Gen 11:9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.

Acts 17:27 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:
Acts 17:28 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.

Deu 4:28 And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.
Deu 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

Adam was the son of God, all are descended from Adam. Luke, gives us the genealogy of Jesus through Joseph, back to Adam, the son of God.

Luke 3:38 Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.

This connection with God was broken when sin brought death to Adam, first spiritual and then physical death. All mankind was separated from God, satan had captured them. The idols of men were to fallen angels, demon spirits. What spirit is behind the image of Buddha,the Greek gods, or the Muslim god who would destroy other faiths?

Paul speaks to the Athenians, who were worshipping many gods, to seek and find the Living God, the Father of Jesus.

"For in him we live, and move, and have our being" In Jesus we find life again, we are reconnected to God. Descendants of Adam, and become children of God through the second Adam, our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Cor 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

Acts 17:29 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.

Paul using Greek logic, points out that if they are children or creations of the living God, why do they worship non living images of gold, silver, or graven art created by man? Let's personalize this, if we are bought with the price of our Lord's blood, then we belong to him and should worship him and put him before all created things.

Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

If it was time to repent when Paul spoke, it is even more important to hear the gospel message today. Repent, turn from sin and idolatry, turn to Jesus.

Acts 17:31 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.

Jesus will return soon as judge of all men. He will judge in righteousness, not as our liberal judges who reinvent right and wrong.

How do we know Jesus is favored by God? He has risen him from the grave.

Acts 17:32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.

Two responses to hearing the gospel of the resurrection: Some mocked, as they even mocked Jesus on the cross.

Mat 27:39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,
Mat 27:40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
Mat 27:41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
Mat 27:42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
Mat 27:43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.

They mocked him on the cross because he did not come down. People still mock him today, even though he has risen from the grave. In the story of the rich man and Lazarus, Abraham responded to the request of the rich man.

Luke 16:29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
Luke 16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
Luke 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

The second response of the Greeks was, "we will hear thee again of this matter" which was a polite way of avoiding him. So many put off dealing with the truth, they are too busy, or must go, they run from Jesus.

Perhaps some would hear again and receive faith, the worldly people receive mans ideas with enthusiasm, but the truth of God? We will hear you again.

Paul could go no further with these people. As soon as he mentioned the resurrection, they cut him short. Just as in the Internet chats, as soon as you mention Jesus, people are offended or leave.

Paul could have talked all day about philosophy, but to speak of Jesus and his resurrection was to meet with opposition. Opposition from men and opposition from the spiritual world that they were part of. Still a few heard and received.

Acts 17:33 So Paul departed from among them.

They did not really want his message, so Paul departed from them. We need to do the same, if people refuse our message, leave them. Let God's word do the work in their hearts. They must choose who they will serve. Many have chosen, and are the enemies of God. It was the calling of Paul to preach the cross, sometimes this message is not received, but it is the most important "new thing" to be shared.

1 Cor 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
1 Cor 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Acts 17:34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

Praise God for those who believed. They were the chosen who responded to the Lord's calling.
Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

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