The Marietta journal. (Marietta, Ga.) 1918-1944, 1921-09-08


GOLDEN TEXT-In him we live era
move, and have our being.-Acts 17.2s
REFERENCE MATERIAI-Tnka AIS.
30. nv
PRIMARY ToPIC-Paul Telling the
People about God
JUNIOR TOPIC-Paul In Athens.
IN 1ERMEDlATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
In Famous Greek city.
LUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
-Faul In Center of Learning. Being
Driven from Berea, Paul Fled to Athens
!. The ldoIatry Of the Athenians
". 16).
Athens was the intellectual metrop-
Oils OF the world at that time, the
home of the worlds great eloauence
ana philosophy. Paul's spirit was
stirred within him when he saw the
city wholly given to idoIatry.
u. The Parties Concerned wv. IT.
Ply.
True to his usual custom Paul went
INTO the Jewish synagogue and entered
INTO earnest argument with the Jews.
From them he turned to such as were
found in the market place. Here he
came into touch with the Epicurean
and Stole philosophers. The former
were atheistic materialists. They de-
MED the doctrine of Creation. They
gave themselves up to sensual in
dulgences since they had no idea of
future Judgment. The latter were
preaching of Paul they desired to
know what new doctrine he preached,
so they invited him to the Areopagus
where he might speak to them of his
new doctrine. They inquired as to
what this "babbler" might say. The
word "habbler" means literally seed
picker"
III, PauPs Address on Mars Hill
(vv. 23-3D.
!. The introduction wv. 90, 23). He
did not accuse them of superstition"
rs the A. V. would make it, but as in
the Am r. V. he introduces his dis
course in a courteous and cOnciliatory
manner, stating that he perceived that
they were very religious This he ex-
planned by stating that as he was view
ing their city he beheld an altar with
an Inscription "TO the Unknown God"
This was his point of contact. He
proceeds at once to connect it with
he idea of the living God, implying
that this altar had been erected to
Him. He was too wise to begin at
once to denOunce heathenism and
id0latry.
.. The body of his discourse wv.
24-3D.
~ A declaration concerning God
wv. "a, 25). (a) He created the
material universe ". 24). This was a
direct blow at the philosophy of both
he Epicureans and the Stoics. He did
not attempt to prove the existence of
God; it needs no proof. The Bible
everywhere assumes the existence Of
il divine being. (b) His spirituality
and immensely wv. "a, 25). He is
not served with mems hands as
though he needed anything" neither
IS He confined by any sort of religious
'empIe. Being essentially spiritual
He demands heart-service, and being
transcendent above all He is not con-
fined to earthly temples. (c) His ac-
tive providence ". 25). He gives ex-
iStence, bestOws needed gifts, and as
sovereign directs all things.
(2) Declaration concerning man wv.
26-3D. (a) His common origin ". 26).
This was a blow at the foolish Athen-
IAN pride which supposed that they
were superior to all other people. This
proposition he proved from their own
literature (see V. 28). II men are the
offspring of God and bear His like
ness 1t Is utter folly to make images
as the senseless idols were. (b) Ma
tions have their place by the SOW
ereign purpose Of God ". 26). The
position and mission of each nation is
Of Gods appointment. (c) Men should
seek God ". 26). His goodness and
grace in supplying all our needs. and
ordering even the affairs Of the ma
lions should move man to see and seek
God, for He Is indeed very near to
every one so near that our existence
and movements are all under His con-
troll ". 27). I'D Pressing obligation
TO repent (vv. 80, BY. This was his
supreme message. Though God had
formerly passed over idOlatry He now
calls to all men to repent. The solemn
reason for such action is the coming
day of Judgment, the credential Of
which is the resurrection Of Jesus
Christ from the dead. The judgment
of God of an unbelieving world Is as
sure as this fact Men will be judged
on the basis of their attitude toward
Jesus Christ.
w. Result of Paul's Preaching wv.
32-34).
l. Some Knocked ". 32).
9. Some procrastinated ". 32).
3. Some believed ". 34).