Paul at Mars Hill (Conclusion)

July 12, 1:37 PMMethodist ExaminerJames-Michael Smith

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The ancient steps leading to Mars Hill that Paul would've climbed

[Click HERE for part 1 of this article, HERE for part 2, HERE for part 3, and HERE for part 4]

Lest it be said that Paul’s encounter with the Athenians was of no gain, Luke ends by informing the reader that a few did become believers and, not to be vague, gives the names of two of them--Dionysius, who was a member of the Areopagus, a woman named Damaris--along with a few others. 

This should be an encouragement to the modern Christian in the face of apparent rejection of the Gospel by the masses. God’s Word, indeed, does not return without having accomplished His purpose (Isaiah 55:10-11). 

In the end, what is there to be learned from Acts 17:16-34?

Hardened hearts will scoff,
searching hearts will ponder,
and believing hearts will be saved.

Rather than merely trying to discern the state of the hearer’s heart and then completely tailoring the message to fit the hearer’s needs, today’s Christian must, in the spirit of Paul, passionately preach the truth of the Gospel in it’s fullness and leave the rest up to God.

This is the essence of the Great Commission and is exemplified nowhere better in all of Scripture than in the account of Paul’s speech on Mars Hill some 2,000 years ago.

No matter how good our arguments, no matter how sharp our rhetoric, no matter how broad and persuasive our evidence, no matter how emotional our appeal, no matter how intense our desire for people to come to faith and be saved, there always remains the mysterious inward work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of those who hear the message in order for it to be fully received.  This should keep the apologist humble and prayerful regarding any endeavor in sharing the Gospel.

For more on apologetics I recommend:
Ravi Zacharias International Ministries - www.rzim.org
"A Little Primer on Humble Apologetics" by James Sire
"Humble Apologetics: Defending the Faith Today" by John G. Stackhouse