the acts of the apostles-第45章
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undaunted； meeting his opposers on their own
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ground； matching logic with logic； philosophy with philosophy； eloquence
with eloquence。
His heathen opponents called his attention to the fate of Socrates； who；
because he was a setter forth of strange gods； had been condemned to death；
and they counseled Paul not to endanger his life in the same way。 But the
apostle's discourses riveted the attention of the people； and his unaffected
wisdom commanded their respect and admiration。 He was not silenced by the
science or the irony of the philosophers； and satisfying themselves that he
was determined to accomplish his errand among them； and； at all hazards； to
tell his story； they decided to give him a fair hearing。
They accordingly conducted him to Mars' Hill。 This was one of the most
sacred spots in all Athens； and its recollections and associations were such
as to cause it to be regarded with a superstitious reverence that in the
minds of some amounted to dread。 It was in this place that matters connected
with religion were often carefully considered by men who acted as final
judges on all the more important moral as well as civil questions。
Here； away from the noise and bustle of crowded thoroughfares； and the
tumult of promiscuous discussion； the apostle could be heard without
interruption。 Around him gathered poets； artists； and philosophersthe
scholars and sages of Athens； who thus addressed him： 〃May we know what this
new doctrine； whereof thou speakest； is？ for thou bringest certain strange
things to our ears： we would know thereof what these things mean。〃
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In that hour of solemn responsibility； the apostle was calm and
self…possessed。 His heart was burdened with an important message； and the
words that fell from his lips convinced his hearers that he was no idle
babbler。 〃Ye men of Athens；〃 he said； 〃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。〃 With all their intelligence and
general knowledge； they were ignorant of the God who created the universe。
Yet there were some who were longing for greater light。 They were reaching
out toward the Infinite。
With hand outstretched toward the temple crowded with idols； Paul poured out
the burden of his soul； and exposed the fallacies of the religion of the
Athenians。 The wisest of his hearers were astonished as they listened to his
reasoning。 He showed himself familiar with their works of art； their
literature； and their religion。 Pointing to their statuary and idols； he
declared that God could not be likened to forms of man's devising。 These
graven images could not； in the faintest sense； represent the glory of
Jehovah。 He reminded them that these images had no life； but were controlled
by human power； moving only when the hands of men moved them； and therefore
those who worshiped them were in every way superior to that which they
worshiped。
Paul drew the minds of his idolatrous hearers beyond the limits of their
false religion to a true view of the Deity； whom they had styled the
〃Unknown God。〃 This Being； whom he now declared unto them； was independent
of
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man； needing nothing from human hands to add to His power and glory。
The people were carried away with admiration for Paul's earnest and logical
presentation of the attributes of the true Godof His creative power and
the existence of His overruling providence。 With earnest and fervid
eloquence the apostle declared； 〃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 worshiped with men's hands； as though He needed
anything； seeing He giveth to all life； and breath； and all things。〃 The
heavens were not large enough to contain God； how much less were the temples
made by human hands！
In that age of caste； when the rights of men were often unrecognized； Paul
set forth the great truth of human brotherhood； declaring that God 〃hath
made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the
earth。〃 In the sight of God all are on an equality； and to the Creator every
human being owes supreme allegiance。 Then the apostle showed how； through
all God's dealings with man； His purpose of grace and mercy runs like a
thread of gold。 He 〃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。〃
Pointing to the noble specimens of manhood about him； with words borrowed
from a poet of their own he pictured the infinite God as a Father； whose
children they were。 〃In Him we live； and move； and have our being；〃 he
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declared； 〃as certain also of your own poets have said； For we are also His
offspring。 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
everywhere to repent。〃 In the ages of darkness that had preceded the advent
of Christ； the divine Ruler had passed lightly over the idolatry of the
heathen； but now； through His Son； He had sent men the light of truth； and
He expected from all repentance unto salvation； not only from the poor and
humble； but from the proud philosopher and the princes of the earth。
〃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。〃 As Paul
spoke of the resurrection from the dead； 〃some mocked： and others said； We
will hear thee again of this matter。〃
Thus closed the labors of the apostle at Athens； the center of heathen
learning； for the Athenians； clinging persistently to their idolatry； turned
from the light of the true religion。 When a people are wholly satisfied with
their own attainments； little more need be expected of them。 Though boasting
of learning and refinement； the Athenians were constantly becoming more
corrupt and more content with the vague mysteries of idolatry。
Among those who listened to the words of Paul were some to whose minds the
truths presented brought conviction；
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but they would not humble themselves to acknowledge God and to accept the
plan of salvation。 No eloquence of words； no force of argument； can convert
the sinner。 The power of God alone can apply the truth to the heart。 He who
persistently turns from this power cannot be reached。 The Greeks sought
after wisdom； yet the message of the cross was to them foolishness because
they valued their own wisdom more highly than the wisdom that comes from
above。
In their pride of intellect and human wisdom may be found the reason why the
gospel message met with comparatively little success among the Athenians。
The worldly…wise men who come to Christ as poor lost sinners； will become
wise unto salvation； but those who come as distinguished men； extolling
their own wisdom； will fail of receiving the light and knowledge that He
alone can give。
Thus Paul met the paganism of his day。 His labors in Athens were not wholly
in vain。 Dionysius； one of the most prominent citizens； and some others；
accepted the gospel message and united themselves fully with the believers。
Inspiration has given us this glance into the life of the Athenians； who；
with all their knowledge； refinement； and art； were yet sunken in vice； that
it might be seen how God； through His servant； rebuked idolatry and the sins
of a proud； self…sufficient people。 The words of the apostle； and the
description of his attitude and surroundings； as traced by the pen of
inspiration； were to be handed down to all coming generations； bearing
witness of his unshaken confidence； his courage in loneliness and adversity；
and the
