PAUL'S VISIT TO ATHENS

Choice 3: Acts 17. Paul’s Visit to Athens

New Testament readings Acts 9; 13-18

The apostle Paul journeyed many miles throughout the middle east and Europe to proclaim the sure witness and testimony he had - he personal saw the resurrected Jesus, knew he lived again, and that because of His sacrifice all mankind may likewise live.

1.  Review Acts 17:1–5, 10–15. Write a description of the different ways in which people responded to the message of the gospel. What phrase in these verses describes what the people of Berea did that the people of Thessalonica did not do that helped them more readily accept the gospel? Read 2 Nephi 32:3; 33:10; Alma 31:5 and explain in writing how our daily study of scripture affects so much else of what we think and do. (See scriptures and links below post.)

      The Jews in Thessalonica “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 non-believers not only did not accept the teachings about Jesus, but they actively fought to prevent anyone else hearing or believing, even to the extent that when they found out that Paul and Silas were in Berea they “came thither also, and stirred up the people.” In contrast, the Jews in Berea 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” Acts 17:1–5, 10–15.

      In this passage, the phrase “searched the scriptures daily” distinguishes the difference in devotion to God that the people of Thessalonica and Berea had. The phrase, “with all readiness of mind” also indicates a desire for knowledge and an open willingness to not only find truth but to accept and act upon it when changes are needed in life style or attitudes. Seeking to know truth by actively studying the scriptures and searching for true principles there brings us nearer to God and helps us to have his spirit with us. This helps us discern and understand what we hear and study.

2.  Review Acts 17:16–28 and the institute student manual commentary for Acts 17:18, “What Are Epicureans and Stoics?” (p. 266). Briefly summarize the beliefs of the Epicureans and Stoics.

The Epicureans believe the world and man exist “by chance” and are “without purpose or design.” They also believe that Gods, if they exist, aren’t involved with the “lives of humans” and claim “happiness [is] found in the absence of cares and pain and the enjoyment of pleasures in moderation.”

Stoicism is much the opposite and claims “all things were created, ordered, and set in motion by divine reason” and that man is “endowed with a spark of reason and should seek harmony with the divine order of things, overcome passions, and live a moral and upright life.”

Ruins of the Erechthelon, a Greek temple built in the late fifth century B.C. on the Acropolis in Athens. Paul would have seen this and many similar temples and religious shrines in Athens.

      Read the institute student manual commentary for Acts 17:15–34, “What Was the Significance of Paul’s Visit to Athens?” (p. 266). Then write your answers to the following questions:

·       What gods did the Athenians know and not know?

The Athenians believed in many Gods and in an effort to offend none, even unwittingly, they had an alter to the “Unknown God.” Paul came and declared to them the God they did not know: Jesus Christ. He “did not recite Jewish history or scripture as he typically did when teaching Jewish and God-fearing audiences (see Acts 13:16–41). Instead, he taught the Athenians by establishing areas of common ground and trying to lead his hearers from those points to true points of doctrine that were contrary to tenets of Greek philosophies and religions” (Student Manual, p.315).

·       How do 2 Nephi 9:28–29 and Colossians 2:8 relate to the practices of the Athenians?

2 Nephi 9:28–29

28 O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.
29 But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.

Colossians 2:8

8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Both these scripture passages describe the state of those that don’t seek truth, and won’t apply it in their choices, and lives, when they happen on it. The people in Athens were filled with pride in their ‘knowledge’ and spent all their time trying to learn some new thing just to talk about it, not to apply or live good ideas. They were no longer really seeking truth, they were seeking to build up their own vanity, pride, and social status.

The Areopagus (Hill of Ares), an outcropping of rock about 377 feet (115 meters) in height. Some Bible translations refer to this as Mars Hill since the Greek god of war, Ares, was equated with the Roman god Mars.

·       What false gods do people worship today that causes them to forget the true and living God?

Anything that detracts from obedience to the principles Jesus taught and has revealed through the prophets, both ancient and modern, can be a ‘god’ that causes us to forget Heavenly Father and His son. If our focus and attention is on possessions, such as houses or cars, appliances or technologies, or even secular topics of study these things become our gods because they are what we spend our time and energy focused on.

In the Miracle of Forgiveness, Spencer W Kimball teaches that false gods or idols include “everything which entices a person away from duty, loyalty, and love for and service to God.” What really matters is the desires of our hearts. President Kimball continues, “Whatever thing a man sets his heart and his trust in most is his god;” (chapter 14, Teachings of Spencer W Kimball). We learn in the Book of Matthew “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:21.) Our hearts should be turned to the Lord, as should our every desire and focus.

3.  Study Acts 17:26–27; Deuteronomy 32:8; institute student manual commentary for Acts 17:26, “Was Paul Teaching About the Premortal Existence When He Spoke of the ‘Times Before Appointed’?” (p. 266). Most of the Christian world does not believe in a premortal life. Write a paragraph supporting the principle of a premortal life as taught in these verses and the words of President Harold B. Lee (1899–1973).

      Deuteronomy 32:8 tells about some of God’s activities before specific nations of people existed on earth. “When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.” From this verse, and the words of Moses and other prophets we know that the children of God that are born on this earth existed before their lives here. President Harold B. Lee explained further:

      “… may I ask each of you again the question, ‘Who are you?’ You are all the sons and daughters of God. Your spirits were created and lived as organized intelligences before the world was. You have been blessed to have a physical body because of your obedience to certain commandments in that premortal state. You are now born into a family to which you have come, into the nations through which you have come, as a reward for the kind of lives you lived before you came here and at a time in the world’s history, as the Apostle Paul taught the men of Athens and as the Lord revealed to Moses, determined by the faithfulness of each of those who lived before this world was created.” (CR, Oct. 1973, p. 7.)

4.  Review Acts 17:28–29; Romans 8:16–17. Write two or three paragraphs about the doctrine taught in these verses and how it helps us better understand the true nature of God. Include in your writing an explanation of what difference it makes to understand that we are God’s offspring and not just His creation.

      Acts 17:26-27

 24 God that made the world and all things therein . . .

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;

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:

      Romans 8:16–17

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

      Every person on earth, is a child of our divine Father in Heaven. He loves us deeply and provides commandments to help and bless us to find and have all the happiness possible to find and have. He has created the world purposefully to assist us to become like he is. How do I know these things? I have asked God. And as Paul taught in Romans, “The Spirit  beareth witness with [my] spirit.” I am His daughter. I know it!

      I also witness the truth of the following verse, that “he [God] be not far from every one of us.” If we seek him we can find him. One of the first ways we can seek our Father is to just talk with him every day, morning and night. He is listening. He will answer, but I sometimes must wait to feel what He wants me to hear. I must “be still and know that [He is] God” (Psalms 46:10) and trust Him, as a child trusts a loving and kind father. I have such a father. I am grateful for the way he has modeled the love Heavenly Father has for His children.

      As a child of God, as an heir of His promised blessings, I am entitled to be like him, and be glorified so I can live with him.. Through obedience to the guidelines, the commandments, God gives I can change my imperfection to be perfect even as Jesus commanded us to be (Matthew 5:48), and as he showed us through his perfect example. I must have faith on His name, and I must accept the grace of his Atoning blood in my behalf. Then I become, as Paul teaches, an “heir of God, and joint-heir” with Christ.  

5.  According to Acts 17:32, record how the people responded to Paul’s teachings of the Resurrection. Write a paragraph using other scriptures from the Topical Guide that support the doctrine of the Resurrection.

      Some of the people mocked, but others wanted time to consider and think about what they had been taught and to hear more again later, and verse 34 tells us that some believed Paul’s teachings and followed him. 

He Is Not Here, by Walter Rane

      Job 14:14 asks, “If a man die, shall he live again?” and then witnesses that a “change” will come, and that he intends to be waiting and ready to answer when the Lord calls him. All the prophets of the Old and New Testaments, testify that Jesus Christ rose from the dead and now lives. They testify that our mortal bodies can be resurrected just as he is. (See 1 Sam. 2:6; Isa. 26:19; Ezek. 37:12; Dan. 12:2; Matt. 27:52–54; Acts 26:23; 1 Cor. 15:23; Col. 1:18; Rev. 1:5 and many others). 

      Each of us has to find our own sure knowledge of this truth. We find it by turning to the scriptures and seeking His word there. Then, through prayerful pondering, the sweet assurance that we will live again will enlighten and lift us above mere hope and belief to knowledge. We will know. “We shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection” (Romans 6:5). Many in the New Testament saw him, talked and walked with him, and ate with him after his resurrection. 

A typical meal in Bible times, consisting of fish, flatbread,
grapes, nuts or seeds, and wine

 Our spirit will be with our “body of flesh and bones, never again to be divided” (Bible Dictionary: resurrection), just as Christ's is. Then we will rejoice in heaven, and live again with our Father in Heaven.