The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1933-11-16
I. Athens Full Of Idols ". 16).

1C-Seeking and Finding God.
I. Athens Full Of Idols ". 16).
Athens was the intellectual metrop-
oils of the world at that time, the
home of the worlds greatest eloquence
and philosophy. In spite of this fact
the city was given wholly to idolatry,
which so stirred Paurs spirit that he
was there moved to preach the gospel.
II. The Parties Concerned in the
Controversy wv. 17-2D.
/. The Jews ". ~. True to his
usual custom, Paul went into the syn
agogue and entered into earnest argu-
ment with the Jews.
2. The devout persons ". ~. This
doubtless included proselytes to the
Jewish faith.
8. The philosophers ". 1S). From
the Jews and devout persons he turned
to such as were found in the market
place. Here he came into touch with
Epicurean and Stole philosophers.
When these philosophers heard his
preaching they desired to know what
new doctrine he preached, so they in
vited him to the AreopaguS where he
might speak to them. They inquired
as to what this "babbler" might say.
The word "babbler" means literally
''seed-picker." They conceived Paul
as a globe-trotter who had gathered
up seeds of truth or error here and
there over the world and that he was
somewhat like themselves, interested
in talking about that which he had
seen and heard.
III. PauPs Address on Mars Hill
wv. 22-31).
1. The introduction wv. %, 23). He
introduced his discourse in courteous
manner, stating that he perceived that
they we're very religious. He did not
accuse them of superstition as the A.
V. would make 1t, but as the A. r. ",
"very religious" He declared that as
he was viewing their city he beheld
an altar with an inscription, ITO the
unknown God" He proceeded at once
to connect 1t with the idea of the
true God, implying that this altar had
been erected to him.
2. The body of his discourse wv.
24-31).
a.. declaration concerning God
wv. "a, 25).
(I The true God created the mate
rial universe ". 24). This was d.
rect blow at the philosophy of both
the Epicureans and the Stoics.
(2) Gods spirituality and immensely
wv. "a, 25). Being essentially spir-
itual he demands heart-service, and
being transcendent above all he is not
confined to earthly temples.
(3) His active providence ". 25).
He gives existence to all things. He
bestows needed gifts upon all crea-
lures, and as sovereign directs all
things.
b. His declarations concerning man
wv. 26-3D.
~ His common origin ". 26). This
was a blow at the foolish Athenian
pride which supposed that they were
superior to all other people. This
proposition he proved from their own
literature ". 2S). He argued that If
men are the offspring of God and bear
his likeness, it is utter folly to make
images such as the idols were.
(2) Nations have their place by the
sovereign purpose Of God ". 26). He
argued that the position and mission
of each nation is of Gods appointment.
(3) Men should seek God ". 2O.
His goodness and grace in supplying
all human needs, and His sovereign
ordering of the affairs of nations
should move men to see and seek God.
(4) Pressing obligations to repent
wv. 80, 81. This was his supreme
message. Though God had formerly
passed over the idolatrous practice
of the nations, he now calls all men
to repent in preparation for the COM
ing day of judgment, the guarantee Of
which is the resurrection of Jesus
Christ from the dead.
~. The Results of Paups Preaching
wv. 32-34).
/. Some Knocked ". 32). Men and
women are today hooking the preach
er who dares to preach the coming
Judgment.
2. Some procrastinated ". 32). This
is the common way Of men. Many of
them do not mock, but they hesitate
to accept and act upon the urgency of
the message.
3. Some believed ". 34). Wherever
the gospel is preached there are some
who believe and are saved.