If we talk about Acts 17 in detail,
Chapter 17 of Acts records an important part of Paul's second missionary journey and covers events in various Greek cities. This chapter details Paul's preaching in Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens and the responses that followed.
1. Evangelism in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9)
Paul and Silas arrive in Thessalonica via Ambipolis and Apollonia. There is a Jewish synagogue here, and according to custom, Paul interprets the Bible for three Sabbaths and testifies that Jesus is the Christ. Many Greeks and noble women followed Paul's teachings, but the Jews were filled with jealousy and incited thugs in the market to cause trouble. They raided Jason's house and searched for Paul and Silas, but could not find them. They dragged Jason and the other brothers and brought them before the authorities to accuse them. The rulers release Jason and those with him on bail.
2. Evangelism in Berea (Acts 17:10-15)
At night, the brothers send Paul and Silas to Berea. The people here are more noble than the Thessalonians, and they receive the word very diligently and search the Bible every day to see if it is true. As a result, many Jews and Greeks came to believe. However, the Jews of Thessalonica came to Berea to hinder Paul's evangelism and caused an uproar. So the brothers immediately send Paul to the sea, while Silas and Timothy remain in Berea. After Paul arrives in Athens, he instructs Silas and Timothy to come quickly.
3. Evangelism in Athens (Acts 17:16-34)
When Paul arrived in Athens, he was enraged to see that the city was full of idols. He argues with Jews and pious people in the synagogues and in the marketplace, and with others he meets every day. At this time, Epicurus and the Stoic philosophers argued with Paul and took him to the Areopagus, calling him a 'preacher of foreign gods'. On the Areopagus, Paul gives a speech to the Athenians.
Speech at the Areopagus
Paul refers to the altar “to the unknown God” and wants to tell them about the unknown God. He explains that God is the Creator of the world and everything in it and does not reside in temples made by human hands. Additionally, it is emphasized that God created all mankind as one lineage and established a designated time and place for each person. It tells us that God is not far away, that He is available if we just seek Him. Paul tells us that God commands all people to repent, and that He has set a day to judge the world righteously through the one man He has appointed (Jesus Christ), and that He testified of this by raising Him from the dead.
reaction
After hearing the story about Paul's resurrection, some people laughed, while others wanted to hear it again later. However, some people followed Paul and became believers, including Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others.
summary
Chapter 17 of Acts shows various reactions to preaching the gospel through various events that occurred during Paul's missionary journey. Paul preached the gospel of Jesus Christ to both Jews and Gentiles in each city, and although his message was accepted by some, it was opposed by many. This chapter also shows how the gospel can be communicated even in philosophically and religiously diverse settings.