Preaching the Crucified Christ

Athens was the ancient Greek city of culture and also the cradle of philosophy. While Paul was waiting for Silas and Timothy in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. He reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews, and he debated with a group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. Some of them called Paul a babbler, while others said he was advocating foreign gods. They said that because Paul was preaching about Jesus and the resurrection. Some were curious about Paul�䏭 preaching so they brought him to the Areopagus�𤴆he meeting place of Athens city council�𤴆o hear him talk about the �𦨭ew doctrine.�� Standing in the midst of the Areopagus, Paul preached to them the true God Jesus Christ, and pointed out the fallacies of idols. Some of them mocked Paul, while others joined him and believed. Among them were Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris (Acts 17:16��34).