The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 2 — Section 75

re~urrection." Paul at Athens a typical fact. No place so representative. No preacher so equal to the occasion. Hie spirit stirred within him. Idolatry-turning human greatness into ruin. " To the unknown God." Great opportunity well employed. No dr<'.ary denunciations. No lowering the gospel by admixture with human speculations. H~ presa.ies _tb~ time when the i_ntellect of Gree~e and_ the power of Ilome would both alike be vbr1st s. He de.red their mockery, to win their hearts, I. A PERSON AL SAVIOUR. Jesus : 1. Presented as Divine. " Setter forth of strange gods." The facts of the gospel so described as to reveal the Divinity. 2. Set forth ns an Object of troat. Just what such minds required, to look away from self and the vagaries of the mind. Ne.mes enough in the ancient world. This Ne.me above every name. II. A PRACTICAL APPEAL. 1. To a true worship in place of the false. Reliaion univers&l. Paul's preaching was not intended merely to change the forms, but "'the substance; to place religion on its true foundation, not as man's offering to propitiate the Deity, but as his acceptance of God's love-in fellowship. Jesus is in the midst of us, therefore we worship no longer an unknown God. 2. To a 11.ew life in place of the old. A great city like Athens reminds us of the world's wants-power to live e. better life. He did not preach a mere story of the past, but e. proclamation of a new kingdom of grace, which should make all life afresh. Words! Examples I They had them. But they wanted power. There was a new fact before their eyes, a living man changed and made from a persecutor into a missionary. Nothing like it in Greece, 3. To a great future. The resurrection. Personal prospect. A fact more than arguments. Messages to Corinth. "In Ohrist shall all be made alive" (1 Cor. xv.). May such doctrine prove its sufficiency in us 1-R. Ver. 23.-The worship of faith. "Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you." Christianity aggressive. Insufficiency of all forms of-religion apart from true knowledge. The true philanthropy of the missionary spirit. I. THE WORLD'S IGNORANCE OF GoD INCONSISTENT WITH AOCEPT.AllLE WORSHIP OF HIM, 1. Athens the representation of the moral helplessness of men without revelation. Knowledge which is ignorance. 2. The practical view of the Divine character. Indifference to righteousness, vain trust in benevolence, mere sentiment of dependence. IL THE FAITH OF THE CHRISTIAN THE TRUE :BASIS OF RELIGION, 1. As a simple acceptance of Divine teaching. 2. As a growth of knowledge through experience and practical endeavour. "If any man will do his will," etc. 3. The actual fellowship of the spiritual life. Influence of the higher mind and larger soul upon the lower. Effect of loving self-sacrifice in opening the mind to larger views of the Divine character, 4. The opportunities of the world rightly used. Nature leading to God, not enslaving the soul Culture lifting up the intellect and desires. "All things are ours."-R, Ver. 28.-Man in God. " In him we live, and move, and have our being." The greatness and humility of the apostle-an illustration of the nature and method of Christianity. Over all the glory of Athens the pall of spiritual death. An unknown God amongst them. The pride of the ancient world still clung to empty superstitions, only half, if at all, believed in. Boldness of the messenger. Polytheism is false. Tha human heart is claimed for God. From their own altar to the Christian announcement of coming judgment. An appeal to reason, conscience, experience, the universal spirit of humanity. I. A GREAT PBDU.BY TRUTH set forth in two aspects-natural and spiritual. 1. AU religion rests on a natural foundation. We are creatures of God. Threefold view of huminity-as life, as activity, as being or character. Unsatisfactory view uf human 1,ature which omits any of the$e, We live not alone for earth, but for eternity, Not alor,e to exist, but to unfold our possibilities, intellectual, moral, spiritual. God the God of providence. History. Social life. But natural religion insufficient. Has proved itself so-must be so. 2. Religion is the work in mau of the spiritual The great fact of a moral ruin cannot be overlooked, Ancient heathen admitted the irreconcilable opposition of heaven and earth. Refuge in Promethean pride. Despondency. They openly said, "It is better t.o die than to live." Errand of the gospel wu one of hope. Proclamation of the life of man in God. Spiritual power. at hand. Oll, :I.VIL 1--8t.] THE AOTS OF THE APOSTLES. 77