Theme: THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
Texts: “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; …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.” – Acts 17:24-27.
Comment: When St. Paul arrived Athens from a very fruitful, though contentious trip to Thessalonica, he was much disturbed that the people were given to idolatry. He therefore debated with the Jews in the synagogue, in the market, and so on. His preaching caught the attention of the philosophers, who found to be totally strange, his doctrine on belief in one God, the Creator and Possessor of the universe and all creatures, Who alone ought to be worshipped through His son Jesus Christ. When he was brought before their Supreme Court, the Areopagus, (the Latin form of Mar’s Hill) he told them, “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.” – Acts 17:23,24, 25, 28, 29
He added: “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; …” (Acts 17:30,31) Every reasonable person on earth therefore should “Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters”. (Revelation 14:6,7) That is the essence of the gospel message to all peoples of the earth today.