In the heart of Athens, the intellectual capital of the ancient world, the Apostle Paul stood on the Areopagus and delivered a profound message about the "Unknown God." However, the most telling part of the story isn't just what Paul said, but how the people responded.
As we look at Acts 17:32–34, we see a spiritual "sorting" that takes place whenever the Gospel is preached. These three reactions weren't unique to Athens; they are mirrored in our hearts and churches today.
The Gospel on Trial: Three Responses to the Word
Base Text: Acts 17:32–34
Proposition: Every listener of the Gospel must decide whether to ridicule the message, delay their response, or obey the truth.
I. The Scoffers: Those Who Ridicule
Text: Acts 17:32 ("And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked...")
To the sophisticated Greek mind, the idea of a physical resurrection was absurd. Instead of weighing the evidence, they chose to mock.
• A History of Mockery: Mockery has always been the shield of the prideful.
◦ They mocked Jesus concerning Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:39–40).
◦ The Pharisees mocked Him because they loved money (Luke 16:14).
◦ Even at the foot of the Cross, the elite and the soldiers ridiculed the Savior (Luke 23:35–36).
• The Warning: Peter and Jude warned that "scoffers" would increase in the last days (2 Peter 3:3; Jude 18).
• The Reality: Mockery isn't just a "non-believer" problem. In the church, we "mock" the Word when we treat biblical instructions as outdated, "unrealistic," or a joke. When we mock the Word, we aren't insulting the preacher; we are insulting the God who gave the Word.
The Contrast: Instead of mocking, we should be like the Bereans, who received the word with all readiness and searched the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so (Acts 17:11–12).
II. The Procrastinators: Those Who Say "Tomorrow"
Text: Acts 17:32 ("...others said, 'We will hear you again on this matter.'")
This is perhaps the most dangerous group. They weren't angry or rude; they were simply indifferent. They didn't say "No," but they wouldn't say "Yes."
• The Trap of Tomorrow: Procrastination is the thief of souls.
◦ Pharaoh wanted the plague of frogs removed, but when asked when, he said, "Tomorrow" (Exodus 8:8–10).
◦ The Rich Fool planned for "many years," but his soul was required that very night (Luke 12:15–21).
◦ Governor Felix told Paul, "When I have a convenient time I will call for you" (Acts 24:25).
• The Uncertainty of Life: Scripture is clear: our lives are but a vapor (James 4:13–17). We have no claim on tomorrow.
• Application: For the Christian, this looks like "I'll start that ministry tomorrow" or "I'll forgive that brother tomorrow." Delaying obedience is, in itself, an act of disobedience.
The Truth: 2 Corinthians 6:2 declares, "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."
III. The Obedient: Those Who Act
Text: Acts 17:34 ("However, some men joined him and believed...")
Amidst the mockers and the procrastinators, a few individuals—like Dionysius and a woman named Damaris—recognized the truth and aligned their lives with it.
• Beyond Hearing: God is not looking for people who simply "listen" to sermons. He is looking for doers of the Word (Matthew 7:21; James 1:22).
• Immediate Response: True faith is characterized by immediate action. When the Spirit of God convicts, the only safe response is submission.
• The Cost of Obedience: Sometimes obedience means standing alone against the majority. Like the apostles, we must decide to obey God rather than men (Acts 4:19; 5:29).
See Also
- What Happens When We Turn Away from God?
- How to Follow in the Footsteps of Jesus 1 Peter 2:21
- The Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem Matthew 21:1–15
Conclusion:
Which Group are You In?
Every time a biblical truth is presented, you are standing in that Athenian crowd.
1. Are you mocking the truth because it challenges your lifestyle or intellect?
2. Are you delaying the truth because you want "one more night with the frogs"?
3. Or are you obeying the truth, regardless of the cost?
The Gospel is not a suggestion to be debated; it is an invitation to be accepted.
