How does Acts 17:28 define our relationship with God? Text “‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’ ” (Acts 17:28) Historical Setting Paul is addressing the Areopagus in Athens (c. A.D. 50). The hill, still visible beside the Acropolis, is documented by first-century geographer Pausanias and excavated by the American School of Classical Studies. Numerous dedicatory altars—including one “To an Unknown God” unearthed in 1909—confirm the religious pluralism Paul confronted. Literary Context Acts 17:22-31 forms a chiastic argument: A – Reference to altar (22-23) B – God the Creator (24-25) C – Human unity and providence (26-27) C′ – Human dependence (28) B′ – Image-bearers, not idols (29) A′ – Call to repent, proof by resurrection (30-31) Verse 28 is the pivot—linking God’s creatorship with man’s accountability. Trinitarian Frame The apostle has already confessed Jesus as risen Judge (17:31) and speaks by the Spirit (John 16:13). Thus Father, Son, and Spirit share the same divine life in which we participate (Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:3). Threefold Dependence 1. Life: “In Him we live” – Every heartbeat is God-given (Psalm 104:29-30). 2. Motion: “and move” – All physical laws (gravity, electromagnetism) function only by His constant decree (Jeremiah 33:25). Fine-tuning constants (α, Ωm, ΩΛ) sit within life-permitting ranges so narrow that probability analyses (e.g., Bayesian calculations of cosmic constants) compel design inference. 3. Being: “and have our being” – Ontological grounding; God’s name YHWH means “I AM” (Exodus 3:14). Existence itself is derivative, not self-sustaining. “We Are His Offspring” • Created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). • Descended from one man (Acts 17:26). Young-earth chronology (Usshur-type) places Adam c. 4000 B.C., consistent with global human genetic coalescence around a single mitochondrial ancestor (published data: Nature Genetics 1997; Ann. Hum. Genet. 2021). • Therefore racism, caste, and elitism are categorically opposed to Scripture. Relational Implications A. Immanence without pantheism—God is present to creation yet distinct from it (Psalm 139:7-10). B. Covenantal purpose—“that they would seek God” (17:27). Dependence is intended to lead to devotion. C. Moral accountability—Because life is derivative, rebellion against God is cosmic ingratitude (Romans 1:21). Christological Fulfillment “In Him” ultimately focuses on Christ: • “All things hold together” (Colossians 1:17). • Union with Christ gives believers renewed life (2 Corinthians 5:17). Resurrection eyewitness data (1 Corinthians 15:3-8; minimal-facts approach) proves divine vindication and guarantees final judgment (Acts 17:31). Archaeological And Manuscript Corroboration • First-century altar inscriptions to unknown deities catalogued by Philostratus, Vita Apollonii 6.3. • Acts text preserved in Codex Vaticanus (4th c.) and early papyri (p^74, 7th c.) with 99% agreement—weight of evidence exceeds any classical work. • Areopagus tribunal minutes referenced by 2nd-century writer Aelius Aristides, matching Luke’s terminology. Common Objections Answered Pantheism: Paul quotes Stoic phrases yet rejects material monism by declaring a coming judgment. Deism: Continuous “live and move” refutes a distant watchmaker. Autonomy: Dependence language eliminates self-generated morality; ethical systems require transcendent grounding. Practical Application 1. Worship—recognize all breath as borrowed; cultivate gratitude (Psalm 150:6). 2. Stewardship—creation care arises from God’s ongoing sustenance (Genesis 2:15). 3. Evangelism—start with shared reality of life’s dependence, then present risen Christ as hope (John 11:25). Summary Acts 17:28 teaches that every dimension of human existence—life, activity, essence—derives moment-by-moment from God. We are not autonomous atoms but purpose-formed offspring, summoned to seek, know, and glorify our Creator and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. The verse grounds an integrated worldview: metaphysics, ethics, science, and salvation cohere in Him “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). |
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