“Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about” (Acts 17:22-23 NLT).
After debating with some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers in Athens, the apostle Paul was invited to appear before the city council to explain more fully his teaching. For the Athenians loved talking about different religions and philosophies. Noticing that Athens was filled with shrines and altars to a multitude of gods, Paul saw one with an inscription to an “Unknown God” and indicated that he wanted to tell them more about Him. He commended the Athenians for their religious interest and used the example of the shrine to tell them about the God they didn’t know. He even quoted one of their poets, the Greek poet, Aratus, to win common ground with them (Acts 17:28).
Paul described his approach to sharing the gospel with the peoples of different cultures in his first letter to the Corinthians saying, “Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings” (1 Cor. 9:22-23).
PRAYER: Dear Father, give us wisdom to know how to share the gospel in a way that people can understand, while at the same time retaining the truth of its message. Help us to always seek to lead people to Jesus. In His name we pray, amen.