The Most Fundamental Teaching
A man named Paul presented the most fundamental teaching about the God of the Bible to philosophers on Mars Hill in Athens. The substance of his presentation is preserved by a historian named Luke in a book entitled “The Acts of the Apostles” – or just “Acts,” for short (Acts 17:24-31). Let’s consider what he said.
24 “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;
According to this verse:
What did God do?
God made the world and all things in it.
Over what does God rule?
God rules over heaven and earth – in other words, over everything!
Where does God live?
God lives somewhere other than in temples made with hands. Actually, He is present everywhere and is not limited to any place.
25 “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;
According to this verse:
What does God need?
God doesn’t need anything.
What does God give?
God gives life, breath, and all things to all people.
26 “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,”
According to this verse:
From where do the nations come?
All the nations come from one man, Adam (and his wife Eve).
Why do we live where and when we live?
God determines when and where each one of us lives on this earth.
27 “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;”
What is God’s purpose for us?
God’s purpose is that every one of us seek and find Him.
What is our problem?
We are like blind people, who can only grope in the dark to find Him, but God can open our eyes so that we can find Him.
Where is God?
He is not far from each one of us. He is close by.
29 “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.”
According to this verse:
What are we?
We are the children of God. He is our Father. He is the source of our being.
What is God NOT like?
God is not like gold, silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man.
30 “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent,”
What is another problem that we have?
We are ignorant of God, His ways, and His plan of salvation for us; but God can give us knowledge of Himself so that we can know Him.
What does God want us to do?
God wants all people everywhere to repent – that is to turn away from their false beliefs and misbehavior and turn to faith in Him and the behavior that pleases Him.
31 “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.”
What day has God fixed in the future?
God has fixed a day in which He will judge the world. This is the reason why we should repent NOW!
How will God judge the world?
God will judge the world in righteousness – that is, He will judge the people of this world according to His own decisions about what is right and what is wrong.
God will also judge the world through a Man Whom He has appointed. This Man will carry out God’s judgment for Him.
Who is this Man through Whom God will judge the world?
This Man is Jesus Christ, God’s own Son!
How can we be certain that we will be raised bodily from the dead for judgment?
We can be certain that we will be raised bodily for judgment, because God raised Jesus bodily from the dead.
So again, why should we repent?
We should repent, because a day of judgment is coming!
What Steps Should I Take?
- Believe that God made the earth and all things in it.
- Believe that God gives you life and breath and all things.
- Believe that God is not far from each one of us.
- Repent – that is, turn away from false beliefs about God and from bad behavior, turn to the truth about God and good behavior.
© copyright 2011
Lyra Publications
Preston, Minnesota