Paul Tells the Smart Greeks About the Real God

Paul arrived in the great city of Athens, the smartest city in the whole world! It was famous for its philosophers - very smart people who spent all their time thinking and talking about big ideas. But when Paul looked around the city, he became very sad. Everywhere he looked, he saw statues and temples to fake gods! The people worshiped hundreds of different idols. Paul knew there was only one true God, and these people didn't know Him.

Paul started talking to people in the marketplace every day about Jesus. Some smart philosophers called Epicureans and Stoics heard him and were curious. 'What is this babbler talking about?' some said. 'He seems to be telling us about strange new gods!' They brought Paul to a special place called the Areopagus, also known as Mars Hill, where important people met to discuss new ideas. 'Tell us about this new teaching,' they said. 'We want to know what you're talking about!'

Paul stood up in front of all these very smart people and began to speak. 'Men of Athens,' he said, 'I can see that you are very religious. As I walked around your city, I saw many objects you worship, and I even found an altar with these words: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Well, I'm here to tell you about this God you don't know!' Paul was using something they already had to teach them the truth. How clever!

Paul told them, 'The God who made the whole world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth. He doesn't live in temples made by human hands, and He doesn't need anything from us. Instead, He gives everyone life and breath and everything else! He made all people from one man, and He wants people to seek Him and find Him. In fact, He's not far from any of us! As your own poets have said, "We are His offspring."' Paul was showing them that the real God is nothing like their statues made of gold, silver, or stone.

Then Paul said something very important: 'God overlooked people's ignorance in the past, but now He commands everyone everywhere to repent and turn from their sins. He has set a day when He will judge the world through a man He has chosen - Jesus. And God proved this by raising Jesus from the dead!' When the people heard about someone rising from the dead, some laughed and made fun of Paul. But others said, 'We want to hear more about this!' And some people believed! A man named Dionysius, who was an important council member, and a woman named Damaris, and others became followers of Jesus that day. Paul showed us that we can be wise and smart while still sharing the truth about Jesus with everyone!