How can we use Acts 17:23 to engage with non-believers about faith? Anchoring in the Verse “For as I walked around and examined your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore what you worship as something unknown, I now proclaim to you.” (Acts 17:23) Setting the Scene in Athens • Paul notices the Athenians’ spiritual hunger and their confusion • He affirms their desire to worship while exposing the gap in their understanding • His approach is observant, respectful, and intentional—an example for every believer today Spotting Modern Altars to an Unknown God • Contemporary society still builds “altars” to success, pleasure, science, or spirituality without Christ • Rather than condemning these outright, believers can acknowledge the deeper longing behind them • Romans 1:19-20 shows that God has placed awareness of Himself in every heart; these altars reveal that awareness Building Bridges, Not Barriers • Start where people already are, just as Paul began with the Athenians’ altar • Affirm any partial truth they hold, then steer the conversation toward the full revelation in Christ • 1 Peter 3:15 calls believers to respond with gentleness and respect, mirroring Paul’s tone in Athens From Unknown to Known: Lifting the Veil • Introduce God as Creator, Sustainer, and Lord, following Paul’s progression in Acts 17:24-25 • Use clear statements of who Jesus is: – John 1:18: “No one has ever seen God; but the one and only Son… has made Him known.” – Colossians 1:15-16: Christ as the visible image of the invisible God and Creator of all things • Move from general belief in a higher power to the specific, personal revelation found in Jesus Speaking Their Language • Paul quotes Greek poets (Acts 17:28) to connect; believers today can reference literature, art, or science that echoes biblical truth • Keep the focus on shared experiences—love, beauty, morality—that resonate with Scriptural teaching • Highlight how the gospel fulfills rather than replaces these yearnings Calling for a Personal Response • Acts 17:30-31 shows Paul concluding with a loving but firm summons to repent, because God has set a day of judgment and supplied proof by raising Jesus from the dead • Truth and urgency go together; clarity about sin, repentance, and resurrection offers listeners a complete picture of God’s invitation Key Takeaways for Everyday Conversations • Observe before speaking, identifying the “unknown gods” in people’s lives • Affirm spiritual interest while gently correcting misconceptions • Pivot from vague spirituality to the concrete person and work of Jesus • Use language, stories, and illustrations familiar to the listener • End with a clear presentation of the gospel, trusting the Holy Spirit to convict and draw hearts |
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