Men and Women of the Bible
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logic; but he failed to meet with the success he had hoped for.—
The
S.D.A. Bible Commentary 6:1084
.
Simple Presentation of Christ—The experience of the apostle
Paul in meeting the philosophers of Athens has a lesson for us. In
presenting the gospel before the court of the Areopagus, Paul met
logic with logic, science with science, philosophy with philosophy.
The wisest of his hearers were astonished and silenced. His words
could not be controverted. But the effort bore little fruit. Few were
led to accept the gospel. Henceforth Paul adopted a different manner
of labor. He avoided elaborate arguments and discussion of theories,
and in simplicity pointed men and women to Christ as the Saviour of
sinners.
Writing to the Corinthians of his work among them, he said: “I,
brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of
wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not
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to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified....
My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s
wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your
faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
.—
The Ministry of Healing, 214, 215
.
Deep Reasoning—The facts in the case were that Paul was a man
of great learning, and his wisdom and manners charmed his hearers.
Learned men were pleased with his knowledge, and many of them
believed on Jesus. When before kings and large assemblies, he would
pour forth such eloquence as would fascinate all before him. This
greatly enraged the priests and elders. Paul could readily enter into
deep reasoning and, soaring up, carry the people with him in the
most exalted trains of thought, bringing to view the deep riches of the
grace of God and portraying before them the amazing love of Christ.
Then with simplicity he would come down to the understanding of the
common people and in a most powerful manner relate his experience,
which called forth from them an ardent desire to become the disciples
of Christ.—
Early Writings, 206, 207
.
Creative Power of the True God—The people were carried away
with admiration for Paul’s earnest and logical presentation of the at-
tributes of the true God—of His creative power, and the existence of
His overruling providence. With earnest and fervid eloquence, the
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apostle declared, “God that made the world and all things therein,