Paul in athens and ephesus

Paul in Athens and Ephesus

Great Commission Ministries
Bible Study Series

PAUL AT ATHENS

TEXT: Acts 17:15-34
A. Athens
Athens is one of the famous cities of the ancient world.
It was the acknowledged center of intellect, culture, and
religion.
It was the seat of the prevailing schools of philosophy.
It was “wholly given to idolatry” (verse 16).
It was said that there were more gods than men in Athens.
It is no different in the world today.

Almost the whole human race is
bowing down before idols which
men have invented and human
hands have made.
Some worship idols of wood and
stone, pictures and images;
others worship the gods of gold
and silver, culture and
refinement, arts and sciences.

The Apostle Paul began his message
on Mars’ Hill with this statement, “I
perceive that in all things ye are too
superstitious” (verse 22).
This may be translated, “ye are too
religious.”
They did not lack for religion, but in all
of this they did not know the one true
God

B. Two Schools of Philosophy
1. Epicureans
The Epicureans were materialists and atheists. They believed
that the chief aim of existence is pleasure; that pleasure is the
only good and pain the only evil.
To them there was no God arid no future existence in
eternity.
Their motto was: “Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we
die.”
There are millions of Epicureans today who have never heard
of the name.
Men are still lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.

2. Stoics
The Stoics believed that God was everything and in everything, which is
called Pantheism.
They were fatalists and considered apathy the highest moral
attainment. To them God was the “soul” of the universe, so that the
distinction between the human and the divine ceased to exist.
Man became his own god.
This is the basic teaching of all spiritistic cults with certain variations as
in Christian Science, Unity, Spiritualism, etc.
These philosophers considered the simple Christian truth that Paul
preached as being absurd. They said that Paul was a babbler talking
baby talk.

Stoicism (Greek Στωικισμός) is a school of
Hellenistic philosophy founded in Athens by
Zeno of Citium in the early 3rd century BC.
The Stoics taught that destructive emotions
resulted from errors in judgment, and that a
sage, or person of "moral and intellectual
perfection," would not suffer such emotions.
Stoics were concerned with the active
relationship between cosmic determinism and
human freedom, and the belief that it is virtuous
to maintain a will (called prohairesis) that is in
accord with nature. Because of this, the Stoics
presented their philosophy as a way of life, and
they thought that the best indication of an
individual's philosophy was not what a person
said but how he behaved.

C. Paul on Mars’ Hill

The philosophers took Paul to Mars’ Hill in order to hear him
further.
Mars’ Hill was an Athenian court which met in early times on
the Hill of Ares west of the Acropolis.
It had jurisdiction over moral questions and religious matters.
Another name for Mars’ Hill was Areopagus.
Paul was very observant.
He was quick to use something that was familiar to his hearers
to introduce his message.

In this he was following the example of our Lord.
Paul had seen the religious devotions of the
Athenians and had found an altar with this
inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.
It was this unknown God to whom they had erected
an altar that Paul was going to declare.

Paul declares Him to be the Creator and the world’’s moral
Governor; truths which strike at the very heart of
materialism, pantheism, atheism, etc.
Paul spoke to them of sin as a personal offense against a
personal God and Judge, who therefore commands all men
everywhere to repent.
He shows the folly of idolatry when we ourselves are the
offspring of God.

D. The Result of Paul’’s
Message

The result of Paul’’sermon to these intellectuals was
s
threefold:
1. Many rejected it
2. Some procrastinated
3. A few believed
Wherever the gospel is preached today, it is followed with this
same threefold result.
Thank God, for the few who believe.

E. The Unknown God

Throughout the world today God is
still the “Unknown God.”
Like the Athenians, men
everywhere are very religious but
are idolatrous.
They are given to much learning
and knowledge, but they do not
know the true and living God.

Many say that God is just an idea, that He may be found in
nature, that He may be discovered within man himself.
However, God is the personal, living Sovereign of the
universe.
He is the Creator in whose hands is our very breath, our
life and being comes from Him.
In order to know Him, one must be born into His family and
be a recipient of His Spirit.
The only way we may know Him is to have a personal
relationship with Him, to be baptized in His name and filled
with His Spirit.

F. Comments of Paul’’s Sermon

This message of the Apostle Paul to the Athenians on Mars’
Hill should be studied carefully.

There are many profound truths stated here. Let us comment
briefly on two of them:

1. Of One Blood All Nations (verse 26)
2. All Men Everywhere to Repent (verse 30)

1. Of One Blood All Nations (verse 26)

God is the Creator of every race and nation.
Every man and woman has descended from Adam and Eve.
The human race is one regardless of color, class, and culture.
The bigotry and prejudice that separate mankind today and
that erect walls of misunderstanding and suspicion should
never be found in the Church.
“By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body” (I
Corinthians 12:13)

2. All Men Everywhere to Repent (verse 30)

This statement tells us that salvation is for all men of all
races, nationalities, and culture.
This statement of St. Paul’’s refutes once and for all the false
belief that salvation is only for the elect.
This is sufficient proof that Calvinism is not correct.
Salvation is for every man who will repent, for the
“whosoever will.”

VII. THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS

TEXT: Acts chapter 19; Acts 20:17-38
A. Ephesus
Ephesus was a city of power.
It was the capital of proconsular Asia and the citizens were
constantly reminded of the power of Rome.
Ephesus was situated near the mouth of the Cayster River on
the main trade route between Rome and the East.
It was the greatest commercial center in Asia at that time.
It was also a free city with its own Senate and Assembly.

At Ephesus stood one of the seven wonders of the ancient
world, the temple of Diana.
It was a magnificent structure with its 127 columns sixty feet
high, standing on an area 425 feet in length and 220 feet in width.
It was the center of all heathen worship in that area.
One whole chapter is devoted to the account of the founding of the
church at Ephesus.

Ephesus' Temple of Diana actually
started as the Temple of
Artemis, the Greek goddess. By the
1st century AD, however, Romans
ruled Ephesus and substituted their
goddess Diana for Artemis.
The substitution of Diana appears
to have been fine with Ephesus'
silversmiths as long as they could
continue to peddle miniature copies
of the Temple of Diana / Artemis.
Their profit margin appears to have
been squeezed, however, when
Paul came to Ephesus and preached
against idolatry:

In Roman mythology, Diana (lt. "heavenly" or
"divine") was the goddess of the hunt and moon
and birthing, being associated with wild animals
and woodland, and having the power to talk to
and control animals.
She was equated with the Greek goddess
Artemis, though she had an independent origin
in Italy.
Diana was worshiped in ancient Roman religion
and is revered in Roman Neopaganism and
Stregheria. Dianic Wicca, a largely feminist form
of the practice, is named for her.
Diana was known to be the virgin goddess and
women. She was one of the three maiden
goddesses, Diana, Minerva and Vesta, who
swore never to marry.

The importance of this church may be noted by the fact that
one of Paul’’s epistles was written to this church.
Also, the first of the letters written to the churches of Asia
(Revelation 2) was addressed to this church.
The Apostle Paul ministered in Ephesus longer than at any
other place.
He spent three years at Ephesus (Acts 20:31).
Another fact that reveals the importance of this church is that
a record is given in the Bible of Paul’’s exhortation to the
elders of Ephesus (Acts 20:17-38).

B. Apollos

Apollos was a Jew who was born at Alexandria.
He is described as being “an eloquent man and might in the
scriptures” (Acts 18:24).
The statement that he was mighty in the Scriptures meant that
he was learned in the Old Testament.
About all he knew of the New Testament message was the
message of repentance preached by John the Baptist.
Apollos came to Ephesus and spoke eloquently in the
synagogue regarding the elementary truth of repentance.

We see something of the character of Apollos when he was willing to
have two poor tentmakers instruct him in the things of God “more
perfectly.
This revealed a great quality of humility.
When Apollos left Ephesus to go to Corinth, the saints commended
him, sending a letter that he might be received elsewhere.
This letter of commendation was that he might be received as a
minister of the gospel.
This example teaches us that ministers should not be permitted on
our church platforms unless they are known and proven, or they
carry with them letters of commendation from responsible brethren.
Much church trouble would be avoided if all ministers had to be
known or carry letters of commendation.

C. Diana of the Ephesians
The Ephesian Diana is to be identified with Astarte and other female
divinities of the East. This idol was regarded as an object of special
sanctity, and was believed to have fallen down from heaven (Acts
19:35).
Diana was recognized as being “great,” but greater is the power of
the gospel.
Idolatry has no message, but it can shout for two hours trying to
make itself believe something which is false.
Diana of the Ephesians vanished long ago, but the Church still
stands.
Great may be any philosophy, religion, or idolatry, but greater is He
whose Name is Jesus.

D. The One Example of Rebaptism
When Paul came to Ephesus, he discovered twelve disciples
of John the Baptist, who, like Apollos, knew only the baptism
of John the Baptist.
He inquired if they had received the Holy Spirit when they
believed.
Paul explained the gospel, pointing them to Jesus.
When they understood the truth, they were baptized in the
name of the Lord Jesus and received the Spirit.

This is the only recorded instance of rebaptism in the New
Testament.
However, it clearly teaches that one must be baptized
correctly according to the Bible or he is not yet baptized.
There is only one baptism and that one baptism is correct
according to the Scriptures.
Otherwise it is not considered as being baptism.
To be correctly baptized, it must be by immersion in water
administered in the Name of Jesus.

E. Revival at Ephesus
God worked mightily at Ephesus.
The following results followed the preaching of the gospel in
this Asian capital:
1. They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (verse 5).
2. They received the Holy Ghost and they spake in tongues.
3. They bore bold testimony to the Jews (verse 8).
4. The gospel was received by the multitudes (verse 20).
5. Lives were transformed by the power of the gospel (verses 17-
19).
6. Miracles accompanied the gospel (verses 11-12).

F. The Ministry of Paul at Ephesus
Paul had desired to preach in Asia on his second missionary
journey but he had been forbidden to do so by the Holy Ghost
(Acts 16:6).
God has a right time for everything.
If Paul had gone to Ephesus at that time, he would never have
had the revival that he now had when he went in the will of
God.
Paul went to the synagogue and witnessed to the Jews for
three months.

When some of the Jews became hardened and
obstinate, Paul separated the Christians and taught them in
the lecture hall of Tyrannus for two years.
During this time Paul worked at tentmaking and supported
himself (Acts 20:34).
One ancient manuscript states that Paul taught from 11 a.m.
to 4 p.m. If this be true, then Paul undoubtedly worked with his
hands in the early morning while Tyrannus was teaching, and
then began to teach when Tyrannus finished his lectures.

Under Paul’’s inistry there are three events recorded that we
m
should
note:

1. There were signs and miracles and many sick were healed.
The power of the name of Jesus was manifested.
Seven exorcists from one family, sons of Sceva, who attempted to cast
out a demon by using the name of Jesus were attacked by the demon.
The demon wounded them and caused them to flee from the house
naked. This misuse of the name of Jesus brought fear and conviction.
This lesson teaches us that the name of Jesus must be used only in
the power of the Holy Spirit.

2. Great conviction came upon the Church.
They gathered all their books of magic and had a bonfire. The
cost of the books destroyed amounted to fifty thousand pieces of
silver.

3. While the Christians were surrendering their wealth by
cleansing their homes from idolatry, there were others who were
angry because the revival was costing them money.
The business of those who made small silver shrines to be
offered to Diana was being hurt. Demetrius and the other
silversmiths stirred up the entire city.
The people ran to the amphitheater and for two hours cried,
“Great is Diana of the Ephesians.”
They captured Gaius and Aristarchus. Eventually the town clerk,
an Ephesian who was responsible for the good conduct of such
a meeting, was able to quiet the crowd.

G. Paul’s Exhortation to the Ephesian
Elders

Every Bible student should study carefully Paul’’s exhortation
to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:13-38).
On his return journey, he arrived at Miletus, about thirty miles
from Ephesus, and sent for the elders. He gave them a charge
which showed the love and concern he had for them.
The ministry of the true pastor is shown here.

Paul in athens and ephesus

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