Answers for a Study in the Book of Acts: Chapter 17

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“Answers For A Study in the Book of Acts” is a weekly post in addition to the regular “Case for Christianity, Person of Interest” posts on the weekend. The original questions can be found at the bottom of the “Case for Christianity, Person of Interest” study the weekend before, and the answers appear here mid-week. This gives you time to do your own research, and then check your answers here. Keep in mind these will be basic answers with a little depth, but you can go much deeper for discussion if you’d like.

Note: The answers will focus on what the text of the Bible says, and commentaries and speculative answers will be noted as such. There are many scholarly commentaries out there but it will be important, as students of the Bible, to keep the text of the Bible as our first source. Commentaries can be used, keeping in mind that they are human thoughts about God’s Word.

The Goal for the notes, questions and answers: Share and reuse to lead your own Bible study!

Bible Study

Always remember to pray before you study and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into the truth found in God’s Word – pray for protection from the evil one who will try to discourage, distract and deceive us when we commit to growing closer to the LORD.

Read Acts Chapter 17: Then, to the best of your ability, answer the following questions.

NOTE: The New American Standard Version (NASB) is the Bible being used here, unless otherwise noted. Questions are taken directly from the chapters, and answers should be found and cited from the Scripture text in order to be Biblically accurate (unless asked to summarize in your own words). Study Bibles, commentaries and your own thoughts can be used for “Discussion” or “Going Deeper” questions. Cite sources to share with your group.

Paul at Thessalonica, Berea and Athens; Sermon on Mars Hill

1. Read Chapter 17:1-15 with your table group

In the first part of this chapter, Paul and his companions travel to Thessalonica and Berea, and have two different results:

a. After Paul reasoned (using apologetics) with the people in Thessalonica for three Sabbaths, what happened?

And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women. But the Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked men from the market place, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and attacking the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the people. When they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have upset the world have come here also; and Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” They stirred up the crowd and the city authorities who heard these things. And when they had received a pledge from Jason and the others, they released them.  Acts 17:4-9

  • Here we see that in Thessalonica a large number of people were persuaded by Paul and joined them as believers, however, it appears that many of the people became easily swayed by the “Jews” who then formed a mob and set the city it an uproar, attacking the house of Jason and dragging them before the city authorities for having housed them.
  • We see a difference in the people at Berea…

The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, along with a number of prominent Greek women and men. But when the Jews of Thessalonica found out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Berea also, they came there as well, agitating and stirring up the crowds. Then immediately the brethren sent Paul out to go as far as the sea; and Silas and Timothy remained there.Now those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they left.  Acts 17:10-15

  • Here we see that the people of Berea were “more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica.” They were willing to search the Scriptures to see if what Paul and Silas were teaching was true – And, they believed!

b. Paul and Silas were sent away by night from Thessalonica to Berea. How did the Bereans respond to their teaching? Use verse 17:11 to show how different the people of Berea were compared to those in Thessalonica.

  • They were willing to search the Scriptures to see if what Paul and Silas were teaching was true – And, they believed! They are a good example for all Christians today!!! The people of Thessalonica were not as serious about truth as the Bereans were, and therefore most were easily swayed by mob mentality. 

Acts 17:11 – Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

c. What happened that caused Paul to have to flee again?

  • The “bad guys” from Thessalonica found out what they were doing in Berea and went there and began agitating the crowds, as they had done in Thessalonica, so the brethren in Berea sent Paul out and he ended up in Athens where he waited for his companions.

2. Read Chapter 17:16-34 with your table group

In the second part of this chapter, Paul is waiting for his companions in the city of Athens where he gives us one of the greatest examples of how to use apologetics:

a. What did Paul observe in Athens, and who was he reasoning with in the market place every day?

So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’ Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, “We shall hear you again concerning this.” So Paul went out of their midst. But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.  Acts 17:22-34

  • Paul used the first rule of good apologetics, and that is to observe the people and culture that you are in and may be speaking to – look, listen and then get to know your potential audience.

b. Paul was asked to speak in the Areopagus at Mars Hill (where the Athenians and visitors spent their time hearing or telling something new). What did Paul point to when he started his talk, and how did he then describe the God of Scripture as compared to the many gods of Athens? (You can make a list of attributes and accomplishments Paul attributed to the one true God.)

  • Paul pointed out the alter with the inscription: “To an unknown god,” Note: The polytheistic nature of this culture was one that wanted to make sure they did not miss a god that might be offended if they did not give credit or worship.
  • Paul used this unknown god as a launching point for his speech, and he found some common ground in which to present the Gospel.
  • Paul identified this unknown god and the one true God of Scripture, and he presented God’s characteristics as follows:
    • Creator of all things (Heaven and Earth)
    • So big and powerful that He dwells outside of temples
    • Has no need of anything from His creation, but instead gives all things to His creation
    • He made all humans from one man (the Genesis account)
    • He determines our appointed times (birth, purpose and death)
    • He sets the boundaries of where we can live (sea, land, mountains…)
    • He wants us to seek Him, and He is close to all of us if we just reach out
    • We are His children, and it is because He exists that we exist
    • He does not exist in stone, gold or images formed by human art or the human mind
    • He wants all of us to repent of our sins because He has fixed a day of righteous judgment through a man (Jesus), who He raised from the dead

c. What did Paul say at the end of his speech that caused some of them to sneer, and some to want to hear him speak again? What was the result of Paul’s apologetic?

  • Paul ended with the resurrection of Jesus that gives Him the credential to judge all; if true proves that He was the Messiah and God incarnate.
  • Some sneered, some wanted to hear this again at another time, and a few believed and joined him.

d. Discuss: What are some of the ways Paul modeled apologetics in his speech that we can use when we share our faith with others today?

  • Paul used the first rule of good apologetics, and that is to observe the people and culture that you are in, and may be speaking to – look, listen and get to know your potential audience.
  • Paul then used history from the Biblical worldview, and spoke of God’s existence and His original creation (which is obvious when looking around at “general revelation” in nature).
  • Paul pointed to the one man through whom we all descended – Adam, and then to the one man who would be appointed to judge us all, being the man who defeated death and resurrected from the grave – Jesus!
  • This Jesus is the one we must put our faith in as children of God, because God appointed Him and called Him His Son.

3. Review and discuss: Write down and share two or three things that you think are important to remember about chapters sixteen and seventeen.

  • We learn about Paul’s second missionary trip, the many places he visited and the churches he planted, along with the many rejections and physical harm he and his companions faced; yet they remain steadfast in their mission, and joyous in their trials and adversity.
  • We saw the importance of searching Scripture, like the Bereans, to be sure the teachers are correct in their Biblical presentations, in contrast to those in Thessalonica who were easily swayed into mob mentality when opposition arose.
  • We also learned from Paul, one of the greatest models of effective apologetics and evangelism in his presentation to the Athenians at the Areopagus on Mars Hill.

Please continue to join us in making our “Case for Christianity, Person of Interest” along with a study in the book of Acts, and share it with others!

Note: Class presentation, videos, reflections and Bible study question are posted on the weekend – Bible study answers (like these) posted mid-week (this week is an exception).

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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in!  Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.

Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.

Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.

Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15

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