What does Acts 17:18 teach about addressing "foreign gods" in our culture? What Happened in Athens • Acts 17:18 records Paul talking with Epicurean and Stoic philosophers in the marketplace. • They dismissively call him “a babbler” and conclude, “He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods,” because he announces “Jesus and the resurrection.” • To them, Jesus (Iēsous) and Resurrection (Anastasis) sound like two new deities invading their crowded pantheon. What “Foreign Gods” Means • Anything that competes with the one true God is a “foreign god.” • In Paul’s day that included marble idols, abstract philosophies, and civic deities. • In our day it shows up as secular ideologies, self-made identities, consumerism, technology worship, and any worldview that denies Christ’s supremacy. How Paul Addressed the Issue • He entered the public square instead of retreating (v. 17). • He listened, observed, and quoted their own writers (vv. 22–28). • He preached the historical reality of Jesus’ death and bodily resurrection, not a mere idea (v. 31). • He exposed the emptiness of idols while affirming God’s nearness and authority (vv. 24–29). • He called for repentance and allegiance to the risen Lord (v. 30). Translating the Lesson to Our Culture • Meet people where they actually gather—campus, coffee shop, social media—rather than waiting for them to enter a church building. • Engage prevailing worldviews with respect but also with unflinching truth. • Make the gospel message clear enough that listeners realize it cannot be blended with their existing “gods.” • Center every conversation on the historical Jesus and His resurrection; that is what turns “foreign” talk into saving truth. • Expect mixed reactions—mockery, curiosity, belief—just as Paul experienced (vv. 32–34). Putting It into Practice 1. Identify the “foreign gods” around you—anything demanding ultimate loyalty apart from Christ. 2. Study those belief systems so you can speak to them intelligently. 3. Share the gospel in everyday language, but refuse to dilute its exclusive claims. 4. Trust the Holy Spirit to convict; your role is clear proclamation. 5. Stay humble and persistent, remembering that some who mock today may repent tomorrow. Key Scriptures to Keep in View • Exodus 20:3 — “You shall have no other gods before Me.” • 1 Corinthians 8:5-6 — “Even if there are so-called gods… yet for us there is but one God, the Father… and one Lord, Jesus Christ.” • 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 — “We tear down arguments… and take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” • 1 Peter 3:15 — “Always be prepared to give a defense… but respond with gentleness and respect.” • 1 John 5:21 — “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” Acts 17:18 shows that when the culture labels the gospel a “foreign god,” believers must clarify, confront, and compassionately call people to the risen Christ—the only true God who saves. |
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