After Paul was finished preaching to the intellectual leaders in Athens, he left the city feeling disappointed and sad. He preached in the great amphitheater on Mars Hill to a packed audience of intellectual pagans who yearned to hear his strange message about resurrection from the dead (see Acts 17:22).
In his sermon, Paul did everything perfect from a cultural standpoint.
· He used an idol from their city as an example of his message (see Acts 17:23).
· He quoted their poets and philosophers (Acts 17:28), reaching out to them with their own culture and proving that he was a man of learning.
Paul’s message was brilliantly constructed. Yet when Paul finished, the results were depressing. The Bible says, “And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, we will hear thee again of this matter” (Acts
17:32). After the meeting, it appears that a group of people stayed in Paul’s company, and a few became believers (v. 34).When Paul walked out of Athens on the road to Corinth, he must have thought about what happened in Athens. Why weren’t more saved? Why hadn’t it produced a better effect? As he pondered on these questions, he came to this conclusion found in First Corinthians 2:1-4. Paul writes, “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.” Paul had nothing against excellency of speech, or brain power, but Paul determined that he would never again lean entirely upon the power of his intellect to accomplish the job of preaching.
Athens was a very religious city (see Acts 17:22). Pagan religions were in abundant supply. Athens had the Temple of Dionysius, a temple where prophecies and supernatural manifestations were regularly observed. Athens also had the famous Temple of Asclepios. This was a temple where people came to be supernaturally healed by the Greek god of healing. There were many other temples in Athens where supernatural occurrences were reported. These supernatural events were seen to be the proof that these religions were true.
Don’t ever forget that Satan is the master of duplication. What he cannot deny, he duplicates. There are false christs because he cannot deny the true and risen Christ. So, it is with supernatural manifestations. Don’t forget that the sorcerers in Egypt made their rods turn to serpents (see Exodus 7:11,12). The Athenians didn’t just intellectually believe their religions; they had seen supernatural proof that made them believe. Although the supernatural activities in these temples were demonic, it was nevertheless real supernatural activity. In Athens, it wasn’t enough to come with words only. The Athenians needed the power of signs and wonders.
As Paul approached Corinth, he resolved that he would never again make the mistake of preaching without supernatural signs and wonders. This is why he said, “And my speech and my preaching [to the Corinthians after Paul left Athens] was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Corinthians 2:4).
The word “enticing” is the Greek word peitho, which means to persuade, or to convince. This word also carries the notion of craftily trying to coax someone to believe. In addition, it expresses the idea of someone who is trying to sweet-talk a person into taking some type of action. Apparently, Paul looks upon his ministry in Athens as a futile attempt to intellectually sweet-talk the Athenian intellectuals into faith.
He writes that he will never again try to entice a crowd with “man’s wisdom.” Although this kind of wisdom is respected, it is insufficient to produce the power that is needed for the preaching of the Gospel. Paul declares that from now on, he will preach with a “...demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (v. 4).
As culture continues to shift away from Christian values in America, a church is needed that has been infused with power and a demonstration of the Holy Spirit. As you share Jesus, we must never forget that the supernatural working power of the Holy Spirit is available to confirm the message you are sharing. Don’t make the mistake of trying to present the Gospel through intellect alone. Trust God for the miraculous.