Testimonies

Acts 17:19-21

And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?

It is important to see this place that the text calls the Areopagus. The Scripture makes it clear that this place held a variety of meanings and uses. In those days, such a place held the rather fixed idea of being a summoning stone or a meeting place; there judgement and local curious village tales would take place. Now if I had to venture my best educated guess, I would say this place was not unlike the ancient idea of Pegasus. Geographically its' shape was like that of where the rock of the skull meets, Golgotha. Regardless, the Greeks affinity for some new things are seen. You know how when someone gets married there is something old and new presented. Often it is worn upon the bride like an article of clothing or jewelry. Then there is the borrowed and the blue, but we will save that for another day. Now 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 begins with the doctrine of foolishness. Here Paul is saying that even if some fools received him, yet would he count himself happy. But that was not what made him glad. Rather, he rejoices that the church also suffers his nonsense with him. So, due to his blessing they rejoice. Paul calls such a "glory after the flesh." Now why should our apostle not rejoice seeing how God met his needs and provided time and time again. Here upon this hill, he has an open audience which itself is a blessing indeed. See, the church there can be counted as those wise. For indeed it is good to rejoice with those that do and to glory also. Even if Paul speaks not by the Lord's name, yet in all things is he mentioned. For so God, our chief cornerstone, is drawing many unto himself. Oh, to have a little more of him today. Is it little wonder then that the end of all things is himself.

For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.

Paul's words, "for you suffer, " lie at the heart of the whole matter. While seeming not to, the Athenians also suffered many things. Rather than being filled with much philosophy, they had best tell the Lord the truth. Like the church that suffered, these were not so far from the kingdom as they seem. Indeed, the King has come to some low places to make many rich by the blood of his Son. Here Paul tells those gathered about themselves. Some had been brought into bondage by man. Others were devoured at their hands. Still many others had things taken as them that had not. Meanwhile certain fellows among them proclaimed themselves most lofty. Yet here the people in these low places could hardly catch a break before the situation smote them in the face again. But how many know that God came to put it all back together again. You might not have the latest and greatest. But I can promise that you will want no more. In Revelation we see the end of all things. Christ promises to make everything new. But in the process, some things must first be made no more with no place found for them. In the meantime, Paul really ought know that of which he speaks. Indeed, his credentials are Hebrew, Israelite, as well as of the "seed of Abraham." As a true minister of Christ, he knew labors, stripes, imprisonment, and deaths more than any other had the right. Is he not also being held captive for Jesus name's sake, suffering all things, yet still exalted. Nor is he overly bold as some are wont. You know how such do, going through life as if they are owed. Unlike these, Christ is always on the winning side. See, you might be down today but out tomorrow. All this comes through him who loved us so that you like the Athenians would know what this means. Listen closely now.

(For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)

Here Paul delivers his testimony. See, these philosophers wanted to hear a new thing. Remember how in 1 Corinthians 1:22, the Jews desired a sign and the Greeks sought after wisdom. Come, I know you want to join in conversation with them. See, I have saved all the juicy tidbits and choicest pieces of gossip just for you. On one side we see Paul's losses. Among them were five occasions of forty lashes save one in the places he wandered. He was thrice beaten with rods, thrice shipwrecked, once stoned, and a night and day found in the deep. None of this sounds very pleasant at all. On the other we see the constant dangers of his journey. He was in perils of water, sea, and false brethren. Moreover, he could often be found among robbers, beset by his countrymen, surrounded by heathens, dwelling in cities, and lost in the wilderness. Then came all he could desire. At times he wanted much between weariness, painfulness, and nakedness. In others he could only watch and fast due to his hunger, thirst, and the cold. But there is a fourth side to this dwelling, one which we have not yet seen. Paul begins to speak of his gains namely God, the eternal Father, our Lord Jesus, and his Christ. Herein are the eternal blessings found for all truth comes from him.

Yet this uneven place remains to Paul a testimony. His story is thus. The governor under the king wished to have Paul's head. To this end he commanded his garrison to snatch our apostle. But God let down the window, the basket, the wall, along with the disciples to safety. My, how God arranged him to escape from the enemies' hands. Does not God so care for his church and for his apostle Paul. Tell me now, you who deny his providence what sort of God this is. He who does such things as this, burns for his people until their offenses and their weaknesses be taken away. See, this recalls the image of the offering as when the sanctuary lay desolate until it be cleansed. Such a thing is recorded in the book of Daniel 8:14. It seems that in Christ have I found a safe place to cast my care upon daily as in 1 Peter 5:7. For he really does care for us. So also, will I like Paul shout glory. Now be glory to our God and Savior who redeems all our infirmities unto his goodwill. Do you not also want to hear a new thing; come now and see how God has provided all for the sake of his name.