“For FOR IN HIM (Christ) WE LIVE AND MOVE AND HAVE OUR BEING.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘WE ARE GOD’S OFFSPRING.’ “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. In the past GOD OVERLOOKED SUCH IGNORANCE, BUT NOW HE COMMANDS ALL PEOPLE EVERYWHERE TO REPENT.” (Acts 17:28-30)
Paul is standing on the Areopagus (“Mars Hill”) in the city of Athens, surrounded by the intellectuals of the city. He takes the starting point of his sermon (Acts 17:23) from the observation that these Athenians have an altar in the city to an “UNKNOWN GOD.” And so he says, “What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.” Another way to say that would be: “The time of your ignorance is over.” Then in the last part of verse 27 Paul clarifies this search for God. It is not a search for a distant deity. GOD IS VERY NEAR for those who seek him. “Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me…the mystery made known to me by revelation…In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST…as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the GENTILES ARE HEIRS TOGETHER WITH ISRAEL, MEMBERS TOGETHER OF ONE BODY…” (Eph. 3:2-6)
ALTOGETHER ONE IN CHRIST JESUS…
-Bill Stockham