Lindsay Brown speaking at Forum 2007 on 'Evangelism at Mars Hill'

Acts 17v16-31 - Evangelism at Mars Hill

1. Paul’s motivation (v16)

• He experienced an overwhelming distress
• He was jealous for the glory of God
  The same Greek word was used in the Old Testament to describe Yahweh’s reaction to idolatry (Ex 20)
  

2. Paul’s method (v17a)

• He spoke to religious people in the synagogue
• He spoke to passers by in the Agora (v17a)
• He spoke to the philosophers on the Areophagus (v19)
• He went to where the people were (v17-18)
• He aroused curiosity (v19)
• He spoke positively not negatively
• He started where they were (v22)
• He studied their beliefs and practices (v23,28)
• He reasoned (v2-4) c.f. 18v4, 19v8

3. Paul’s message

1. There is only one God and he is
   
   • The creator of the universe (v24)
   • The sustainer of life (v25)
   • The ruler of the nations (v26-28)
   • The father of human beings (v28-29)
   • The judge of the world (v30-31)
   
   
2. This God raised Jesus Christ from the dead (v31)
3. We must repent or be judged (v30-31)
   

Lessons to learn

1. The depth and power of his motivation
2. The comprehensiveness of his message
3. he versatility of his methods