Read: Acts 17:16-21 ESV – Paul in Athens – Now while Paul was – Bible Gateway
“Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.” Acts 17:21 ESV
A common expression each of us have when we meet an old acquaintance is ‘what’s new’? It could also be a dear friend we see often and asks, ‘what’s new’? Everyone is interested in the latest developments of one’s life or life in general. In other words, ‘what’s going on’? The apostle Paul had an experience where he met with a bunch of people who were always asking, ‘what’s new’? While in Athens waiting for Silas and Timothy to join him Paul walked around town looking at the sights. He noticed the many idols of worship of different gods spread throughout the city. They apparently did not have enough gods and were always looking for something new.
Paul would go to the marketplace and speak about Jesus with whoever was there wanting to hear something new. He also spoke with the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers who were certainly interested in this new thing being presented. They had no clue about the Lord God of heaven or His Son Jesus, as many in our day do not as well, or at least have an understanding. We may find this hard to believe but just look at a few statistics below from here in America:
“Most adults—not quite six in 10—believe Jesus was God (56%). Millennials are the only generation among whom fewer than half believe Jesus was God (48%). About half of Americans agree, either strongly or somewhat, that while he lived on earth, Jesus Christ was human and committed sins like other people (52%). Many adults believe, however, that they will go to heaven as a result of their good works. Broadly speaking, this is the most common perception among Americans who have never made a commitment to Jesus—and it is also quite common among self-identified Christians.” (1) It looks like the church in America has ‘something new’ to share. That’s us family!
(1) https://www.barna.com/research/what-do-americans-believe-about-jesus-5-popular-beliefs/
