Paul Presents God

Acts 17, beginning in verse 16, is possibly my favorite passage in the Bible. The apostle Paul is in Athens, Greece, waiting for his traveling companions to catch up to him. He was taking note of all the idols in the city and talking with people about Jesus. Some intellectuals were interested in what he had to say so Paul took the opportunity to engage them. His ‘jumping off point’ was his recognition of one of their altars with the inscription “To An Unknown God”. He then delivers a beautiful lesson on the difference in their “unknown god” and the God he knows. He tells them that his God does not need men to make idols or altars, in fact, He doesn’t need man’s hands for anything, and does not even live in temples made by them! Why? Because He made everything! The earth and the heavens, mankind himself, and even determined their eras and boundaries of their civilizations. They shouldn’t think that their idols are anything compared to God. And now God has fully revealed His plan for the salvation of everyone; expressing that plan in His son Jesus. He is calling on all people of the world to repent of their sins and be obedient to Him. This means that if we want to receive salvation, we must do the same!