Acts 17 - Introduction

An Altar To The Unknown God Acts Seventeen

In Acts 17:1-34 we have record of the missionaries in the city of Thessalonica. At Thessalonica Paul and Silas reasoned from the scriptures for three Sabbath Days in the synagogue of the Jews. Many Jews and proselytes received the gospel and this caused the Jewish persecution to begin again. The preaching done by the brethren centered in the fact Jesus had been put to death and restored to life again. They offended proof that Jesus is the Christ.

The envy of the Jews led them to secure certain base people to cry out against the brethren. They even attacked the house of Jason hoping to bring these preachers out to the people for persecution. They accused Paul and Silas of making trouble all over the world. The charge was, "These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also."

Jason was charged because he had received the brethren into his house. The people were upset because these men had said that Jesus is king. They made Jason and others give proof that they were peace loving and then let them go.

After this tumult Paul and Silas were sent to Berea. There the Jews were more noble in that they examined what they heard by the word of God to see if it was so. This led to a great number of people becoming believers. Jews from Thessalonica went to Berea and stirred up the people against Paul. The brethren sent Paul away to Athens but Silas and Timothy stayed longer at Thessalonica.

Paul's spirit was stirred at the sight of much idolatry in Athens. He proclaimed the true God unto all that would hear. He declared that the one true God is Creator and that Jesus, His Son that was raised from the dead shall judge everyone. The resurrection is the basis of Christianity. In plain and convincing terms Paul showed the folly of serving "an unknown God." He said that man should search for God, get to know Him or find Him. God is not far from any one of us.