Something New

In witnessing at times we will share with someone who wants to debate, no matter the topic, he just likes to debate. Still others seem interested in what is said, but really are not interested in receiving the message in their heart, they just want to compare thoughts. Paul was in Athens Greece where all the philosophers and thinkers of the Greeks came to hear something new. Paul was not there to entertain but to change hearts and to save souls from hell. The Holy Spirit used this occasion to speak the greatest message they would ever hear.

 

Act 17:18  Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.
Act 17:19  And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?
Act 17:20  For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.
Act 17:21  (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)
Act 17:22  Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
Act 17:23  For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

A few were saved from his visit to Athens, but from this experience he began to just preach the simple gospel of Jesus Christ, and him crucified for our sins. He went from Athens to Corinth with a simplified message.

 

Act 18:1  After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;

1Co 2:1  And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
1Co 2:2  For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
1Co 2:3  And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
1Co 2:4  And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
1Co 2:5  That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

The gospel message received is the power of God to make a new life. We are Born Again of God's Spirit, making us adopted son's of God and a joint heirs with Jesus. Learn from this that the power of God is in his simple gospel truth and not in the skills of our speaking. Instead of always seeking something new, allow God to make you new.