Paul at Berea and Athens
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through his Son; and he exacted from all men repentance unto salva-
tion; not only from the poor and humble, but from the proud philoso-
pher, and the princes of the earth. “Because He hath appointed a day,
in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that Man
whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men,
in that he hath raised him from the dead.”
As Paul thus spoke of the resurrection from the dead, his speech
was interrupted. Some mocked; others his words aside, saying, “We
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will hear thee again of this matter.” Thus closed the labors of the apostle
at Athens; for the Athenians persistently clung to their idolatry, and
turned away from the light of a true and reasonable religion. When a
people are wholly satisfied with their own attainments, little more need
be expected of them. Highly educated, and boasting of their learning
and refinement, the Athenians were constantly becoming more corrupt,
and having less desire for anything better than the vague mysteries of
idolatry.
Many who listened to the words of Paul were convinced of the
truths presented, but they would not humble themselves to acknowl-
edge God, and to accept the plan of salvation. No eloquence of words,
no force of argument, can convert the sinner. The Spirit and power of
God can alone apply the truth to the heart of the impenitent. Of the
Athenians it may be said, “The preaching of the the cross is to them
that perish foolishness, but to them that are saved it is the power of
God.”
In their pride of intellect and human wisdom may be found the
reason why the gospel message met with so little success among that
people. Our Saviour rejoiced that God had hid the things of eternal
interest from the wise and prudent, and had revealed them unto babes
in knowledge. All worldly wise men who come to Christ as poor,
lost sinners, will become wise unto salvation; but those who come as
distinguished men, extolling their own wisdom, will fail to receive the
light and knowledge which he alone can give.
The labors of Paul in Athens were not wholly in vain. Dionysius,
one of the most prominent citizens, and some others, became converts
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to Christianity, and joined themselves to him. The words of the apostle,
and the description of his attitude and surroundings, as traced by
the pen of inspiration, were to be handed down through all coming
generations, bearing witness of his unshaken confidence, his courage