The Apostle Paul was constantly being chased, harassed, and on certain occasions physically beaten, all for the cause of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. During his second missionary journey he travelled to Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, and then to Athens. His travels to these cities are recorded in Acts 16 and Acts 17. All along the journey, Christ haters, bullies, and men of a “baser sort” had hounded and chased him from city to city. The Bereans smuggled him out of town. With Paul in tow they headed for the coast, then sent him to Athens on a boat, hoping to save his life.
Once in Athens, he is all alone. His friends and co-workers are to meet him in Athens but they have not arrived. He is all by himself. No doubt he knew about this city. Paul was an educated man and had been trained at the feet of the world-renowned Rabbi, Gamaliel. As he walks the streets, the Bible says he was “stirred” (Acts 17:16). The word “stirred” means “aroused with anger.” Why? The idolatry was rampant in Athens. His foundation was one God and no others. The ignorance of the city concerning God, Christ and the Gospel was seen everywhere. Immediately he began attending the synagogue and debating with the Jewish population, others who were religious, and even those in the market place (17:17). He seems to have had a huge impact on the community in which he was operating. Two groups of people, Epicureans and Stoics, approached him out of curiosity. They called him a babbler. The picture to understand a babbler is that of the feeding habits of birds. They pick up scraps from many places for their food. Paul was being accused of picking up scraps of his teaching like feeding birds. What was this strange teaching? It was Jesus and his resurrection (17:18).
Why do I title this blog “Mars Hill Bravery?” Two reasons. There are more, but two will suffice for today. One, he is all alone in a full-blown pagan city. The authorities are pagan, the various philosophical groups are pagan and the vast majority of the people are pagan (17:16). The Epicureans and the Stoics bring him to the Areopagus (Mars Hill). The Romans had given the men at Mars Hill great power over matters of religion and even morals in Athens. Paul is called on to give an accounting. Standing all by himself, without friends or co-laborers, he faced this powerful council. What kind of bravery do you and I have in situations like this? Have you ever stood alone when everyone around you is against what you believe? Sadly, courage is not always on display, but it should be. We will get the opportunity in the coming days to show courage. What you have always claimed to believe will be openly questioned, mocked, and ridiculed. The god of this world has blinded the eyes of the lost. The pagan world does not see with Christian eyes. Let’s vow to have courage during these dark times as freedoms are receding very rapidly. Two, notice the way Paul responded to these powerful men. He does not play defense when questioned by this authoritarian body. He goes on the offense and preaches to them beginning in Acts 17:22-31. When confronted, be bold proclaiming the gospel of Christ. Let me share a story by John Phillips.
“Some years ago, a friend of mine was arrested in Russia for giving out tracts and Bibles. When brought into court he at once went on the offensive. He said to the judge, “Why are you so afraid of the Bible? You say it is full of lies and mistakes and that no intelligent person would read it. Then why are you so afraid of it?” The judge ordered all his Bibles confiscated and had him deported. He was given a police escort out of Russia and across the nearest East European country and back to the West. Afterwards my friend said, “So what? I left all those Bibles in Russia—and you can be sure that the guards and those others will not throw them away. They’ll read them!” (John Phillips Commentary Series – Acts).
This should teach us to be bold in our witness.
Have courage to stand alone and boldness to preach what people need even when they do not know they need it. Let’s have Mars Hill Bravery when the pressures come our way.