What is unique about the story of Paul preaching on Mars Hills is how he addresses Athenians. He starts by telling them he understands that they are very religious. The story, however, has a twist because Paul dismisses their beliefs. He tells them that the real God does not dwell in places made of human hands. It is ironic that while he recognizes them as religious, he urges them to leave their religion and believe in the living God. The sermon is also unique because Paul evangelizes to the Greeks while having their cultural background in mind. This was necessary to create a rapport and preach to the idolaters who did not believe in the real God. From how Paul engages philosophers and thinkers, it is possible to understand that personal beliefs are highly intricate. Regardless, they have a basis. For an evangelist who defends his or her faith to urge an apologetic to believe in the gospel, the evangelist has to have deep knowledge about what they believe in and also understand the basis of the other person’s beliefs. In the end, it is not solely possible to convince an apologetic to change their belief system unless there is moral persuasion on one side and conviction on the other.
The people riot because Paul and his preaching companions, Gaius and Aristarchus, preached against idolatry in Ephesus. Demetrius, a silversmith in the town, had convinced others in the same business that with Paul preaching, it is likely that their business will fall apart, especially when people stop worshiping goddess Artemis. The people were also afraid that the Goddess of wilderness, wild animals, and one who protects girls would be robbed of her glory.
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In this story, Demetrius influences others who craft idols to refute Paul’s teaching against idolatry. This causes an uproar that results in Paul’s companions being arrested. Paul is advised against going to the theatre by his friends. In the end, the city clerk calms the multitude. The story teaches that religion in America is highly dynamic. It also teaches that a significant disagreement may be witnessed where there is a diversion from what is widely believed. At the same time, it implies apologetics could defend their beliefs because of the benefits they leverage from the given religion or beliefs.
The first missionary journey by Paul begins in Antioch. It began in 45 A.D. From Antioch. In Acts 13–14, Paul travels to different towns while preaching the gospel. Some of the towns were Pamphylia, Cyprus, Phrygia, and Lycaonia. The second missionary journey happened between 49 and 52 A.D., in Acts 16:23–20:38. While Paul went through some of the towns he had initially preached in during his first journey, He went further and visited Galatia, Asia, Macedonia, and Achaia. In his third missionary journey in 53 AD, Paul and Timothy set out to visit believers in different regions. In Acts 18:23–20:38 Paul and his companion go through Phrygia and Galatia and Macedonia and Greece.
The journeys teach about how strong Paul’s Faith was. Although he was rejected and persecuted in some towns, he forged on preaching to multitudes and proving his faith through actions. Given his return journeys to some of the towns he had visited before, the story teaches that liminality could either result in a person relapsing to their initial state before change initiation or accepting change. This is all dependent on how the new ideas are reinforced.
The ending of acts is essential because it shows the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophesy, that people would hear the gospel but not understand, see but not perceive. Regardless of the disagreement between Jews when Paul tells them that God’s salvation has been sent to gentiles and they will receive it, Paul stays in the same town where there is division among Jews and preaches to all who needed to hear about the gospel. In acts. Luke was trying to communicate that regardless of rejection, the gospel must be preached. This gives me a conviction that rejection does not mean giving up, neither does it mean that the people rejecting the truth are right. One must forge on, even when they are not believed in or accepted.
