Reaching Those Who Don’t Know the Creator
Acts chapter 17 is a wonderful example of Paul using creation evangelism to reach those who did not know the Creator. He was sharing with those who didn’t understand that God had created them and that mankind had rebelled. In verses 15-21 we read:
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. Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. 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. 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. And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. (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.)
Questions
- In what ways was Athens similar to the cities of today?
- How are the Epicurians and the Stoicks similar to people living in our neighborhoods?
- Why was the teaching of Jesus strange to them? Did it seem as if they had they heard it before?
- Why did they invite Paul to come speak?
Next we see an excellent example of creation evangelism. Paul could have started right at the message of Christ dying for their sins, but he realized that they would not understand, they did not even know about the true God of the Bible. So, instead he had to start at the beginning of the story. He had to establish that there is a Creator who made all things. In Acts 17:22-28 we read Paul’s great creation message:
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. 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. 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; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 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; 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: 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.
Questions
- Why did Paul have to start by establishing their unknown God as the Creator?
- In many cultures, their false gods are not all-powerful, or not responsible for creating all things. How did Paul contrast the one true God?
- Paul starts off by saying that the Creator made all things, but then goes on to elaborate. What things does Paul specifically mention that God made?
- Paul explains that God created all things, but in the above Scripture he also shows that He is still involved in His creation. Which part of the passage says this?
- What does he mean that we are His offspring?
Paul knew that he first had to establish that there is one true Creator-God. This means that he has authority over His creation. This is often the tact we have to take when sharing our faith. At one time it was common to know about the God of the Bible, and to understand sin, and so we could start at the salvation message. But now days, our society doesn’t know much about the God of the Bible Ð as a matter of fact many believe in different Gods. They don’t understand about our rebellion or sin. So for these reasons, we need to follow Paul’s example when we share our faith and start at the beginning of the story.
After establishing God as the Creator, in Acts 17:29-34 Paul went on to share about sin and the coming judgment. Then, he concluded with the message of salvation in Christ Jesus:
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. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 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. And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. So Paul departed from among them. Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
We can see the progression in Paul’s message:
- Establish that there is one God.
- That God is the Creator of all things.
- That He has authority over His creation.
- That we have fallen short of His law.
- That there is a judgment coming.
- That Jesus died for our rebellion and was raised from the dead.
Questions
- Why was the order in which Paul shared important?
- Did Paul address their idolatry? How?
- How did Paul point out their sin?
- How did Paul transition into sharing the message about Christ?
- How would you use this example by Paul to share the Creation message with people that you know?
- What other lessons can you learn about sharing the creation message from this passage?
End in Prayer
End you time together by praying that the Lord would use your family in a powerful way to reach others with the message of the Creator. If you have already made plans to share your faith with family or friends, remember to pray for them!
