“…for in Him we live and move and have our being….”

The above quote is from Acts chapter 17, NKJV, verse 28…the apostle Paul’s address at Areopagus/Mars Hill.  The following is a brief synopsis of the chapter, during the course of travels of Paul and Silas….

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From Thessalonica to Berea to Athens…they went to the synagogues, Paul reasoning with the Jews…about Jesus’ need to suffer and die and rise again, in order to bring about “the good news.”

In Thessalonica, Paul persuaded a great number of devout Greeks and some Jews that Jesus was the Christ; but the Jews in Berea much more eagerly believed that his declarations about the scriptures and Jesus sufficed.

Those Jews, however, who didn’t embrace the truths of which Paul had spoken…stirred up mobs to discredit him, hoping that the success of his “campaign” would be broken.

In Athens, Paul saw the many idols throughout the city, which made him feel grieved, so he later would give a passionate message about the Lord on whom he believed.

In fact, “To the Unknown God” was carved on an altar there.  That “God doesn’t dwell in temples made with men’s hands,” was what he continued to share.

Paul declared that God Himself, who made the world and all things in it, isn’t served by human hands…for He Himself gives to all people life, breath, and everything needed, by His very commands.

Continuing, he said that God made from one man every nation on the earth…and has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through the Man He has appointed–Jesus Christ, Lord of “the new birth.”

Paul shared that this was confirmed by God having raised Jesus from the dead…and so God was spreading this good news abroad through Paul and others who were being Spirit led.

Paul encouraged the people to seek the Lord while He may be found…that He is not far from any of us.  He’s made Himself known through that name that’s so renowned….

Jesus Christ–King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

P. A. Oltrogge

“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.  That at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things in earth, and things under the earth.”  Philippians 2:8-10 KJV

“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12 NASB

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“Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, ‘Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription:

TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.

“‘Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.’

“And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, ‘We will hear you again on this matter.’ So Paul departed from among them. However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.” Acts 17:22-34 NKJV

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“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’”  John 3:3 NASB

“Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near.”  Isaiah 55:6 NASB

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16-17 NKJV

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.’” Matthew 11:28-29 NLT

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” words of Jesus in John 16:33 NKJV

…a bit of the poetic:

In Christ, I live and move and have my being. I walk by faith and not by seeing…