COMMENTARY

Lesson 1: Acts 17:22-31 (C, E)
Paul preaches at Athens. Paul's sermon at Athens was different. It was addressed not to Jews nor to Christian Gentiles, but to educated and cultured pagans, for Athens was the capitol of Greek-Roman civilization. It is interesting to see how Paul adapted to his audience to get a hearing. He begins by complementing them - "You are very religious." He refers to a local situation - an altar erected to an unknown god. This gives him an entree into his subject. Who is this "unknown God?" To bolster his argument he does not quote scripture but Greek philosophers and poets. He brings his message to a head by calling for repentance as preparation for the judgment to be conducted by the One God raised from the dead.

Lesson 1: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17 (RC)
Prepar…