Paul and the Athenians

In Acts we learn about Paul and some of his different missions. He taught to many different people and they all had different cultures and things that they did. For example, there was a great difference between the people of Berea and Thessalonica. The people of Berea "received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily" (Acts 17:11). This is a great difference between those who will receive the gospel and those who won't. People may respond differently to the gospel. Some reject it. Others greet it with open arms. Many will be suspicious and then come around to it. They may fight against it or wonder and just take parts of it. Everyone is different and I believe that much of this has to do with how we respond to the scriptures. Nephi tells us that the scriptures will testify of Christ and teach us all that we should do. They will persuade to do good. If we are willing to read our scriptures daily then we will be more receptive to the message of the gospel. We will see what the Lord wants us to do and we will have more courage to do it. For example, when I am having a hard time I often turn to a scripture I may have memorized. I remember that scripture throughout the day and it gives me strength to keep going. It affects me like nothing else can.

It's interesting that Acts 17:18 bunches the Epicurans and the Stoics together. The Epicureans believed that the world came into existence by chance and that there is not Divine Power. However, they also believed that you should do what feels good. This does not mean momentary pleasures, but what feels good for long-term happiness. The Stoics believed in a Divine Power. They wanted to accept conditions they were placed in and kind of believed in a fate theory. Whatever, happens to you is suppose to happen and you shouldn't try to change it. The Athenians in general believed in many gods. These two sects are a good representation of them. The people would just take what they wanted at the time and apply it. However, they did not understand God the Father as we see Him. They titled Him the Unknown God. He was always there, but they just couldn't place Him somewhere or characterize Him. We may say that the Athenians were of the view point of 2 Nephi 9:28-29 and Colossians 2:8 because they sought wisdom of themselves and did not really care too much for what God thought. Who cares if He is just another god. So they carried on doing whatever they wanted to do. I believe that now days we do have many gods just like the Athenians. Sometimes when I learn and study a lot I begin to think that I understand everything. I don't need help because I know so much! This is where I go wrong and where many of us go wrong in our lives. We forget to recognize our Father in all things. For in Him we live and breathe and have life. We put things in the way of the true God.

As Paul is explaining the Unknown God to the Athenians he brings up the interesting doctrine of premortal life. Before this Earth we all lived in heaven together. We were learning and searching. We were helping each other and making choices. We made the biggest choice when we decided whether or not to follow Lucifer of Christ. All of us here on this Earth chose to follow Christ. There were many other choices though. We gained a certain amount of knowledge and intelligence, which helped to determine where we are here on the Earth. We were not all placed equally on this Earth. It is according to what we did in the previous life that determines where we are born and in what time. The idea of choices was not new on this Earth. We chose before. We can always change what we have come to the Earth as though. It is never too late. We can do more than we did before and become like our Heavenly Father.

This brings us to Acts 17:28-29. These verses teach a very important doctrine. We are the offspring of God. For over a thousand years Christian churches did not understand this doctrine. They believed that God was some almighty thing that could not be comprehended or understood. However, He can be understood and we can become like Him! That is the hope of this gospel! We are children of God and He will not leave us helpless. He will always be there for us.

Understanding that we are more than just God's creations, we are actually His children is extremely helpful. This always reminds me of Matthew 7:7-11. In these verses we are asked, "Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?" As our Father, He will not give us what we do not need. He is there to help us, not to torture us or watch us suffer. He wants us to succeed just as our own earthly fathers care. He cares and understands. What a magnificent doctrine!

After explaining these many things Paul then brought up the doctrine of the Resurrection. Some mocked him and some wanted to hear him again. They had mixed feelings about it. The Resurrection is a wonderful idea though. In Moses 6 we learn that Adam fell and as a result we are all fallen and subject to the devil. However, through Jesus Christ we can be redeemed from this fall, which included both physical and spiritual death. The Resurrection saves us from the physical death forever. We will live again!

This is what Paul taught the Athenians. This is what we must teach our children and anyone who will listen. We must read our scriptures so that we will know what to do and what is right. That is the blessing of the gospel!

Stephen

            The story of Stephen in Acts 6 and 7 is a remarkable one. It is a story that will inspire you in all that you do. It is a story that most likely inspired Christians for centuries after his death. It makes us realize what we should be and what we should do even when faced with great persecution.

When Stephen was martyred he did not fear. He was not afraid of what was going on. He simply looked up to Heaven and saw the “glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.” He proclaims this to the people in what seems like a hope that they will listen to him again so that he can perhaps help to save them. They would not listen to him though. Just before he dies he states “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:60). This is remarkable! Stephen holds nothing against these people who are not only persecuting him, but actually killing him. He doesn’t even want them to really be blamed for what they are doing.

                As I think about how Stephen could possibly still believe in a city of people whose hearts are so hard I ask myself why he does not really see them completely accountable. I believe that this could be that Stephen realizes that the culture of the people and the rulers of the time have made the people the way they are. Satan has such a strong hold on the culture that the people don’t really even think about what they are doing. They become carried away in the moment and it is acceptable in the culture. Perhaps if they had lived at different time and place things in their lives would have been different. Stephen understands that these people will one day realize their faults and he does not want to hold anything against them to hold them back from salvation. He is a true disciple of Christ.

                In this same experience we learn that the Father and the Son are separate beings. Stephen clearly states that he sees Christ standing on the right hand of God. He was also full of the Holy Ghost. Stephen was witness to the entire Godhead at once. Heavenly Father and His Son live in the heavens in all of their glory. This is amazing that Stephen learned this! It makes me wonder what was going on in the following centuries when Christians couldn’t determine the characteristics of Christ. How could they decide that Heavenly Father and His Son are one person when they had Stephen’s word to explain their existence to them? I am so glad for these scriptures.

                Comparing Stephen’s death in Acts 7 to Abinadi’s death in Mosiah 17 we can see a few similarities and a few differences. Abinadi was tried just as Stephen was. They were both amazing men who would not step down from what they knew to be right. They tried unto the end to testify to those who were persecuting them. Abinadi almost stopped King Noah, but the priests would not stand for it. Despite the fear that King Noah felt he was still more afraid of man, just as those who tried Stephen. There is a difference in how they died. Abinadi was burned and Stephen was stoned. Neither of them fought back physically. They just took what was happening with faith in Christ. Abinadi did not have the heavens opened to him as far as we know. Also, there is a difference in their last words. The people that Stephen preached to did not really know any better than what they were doing. They knew some, but as I previously said, culture was hard on them. King Noah’s people however, knew a little bit more. They were in an age and place where they should have known better. The priest of King Noah had read the scriptures and shouldn’t have been too far off. However, they would not even try to listen. So it seems as if they are more condemned. Their children were cursed because of what they did. Things did not go well.

                These two final testimonies are amazing to me. Both men testify of Christ. They cry out in their final hour to be received by Christ. They know that this is what is possible and what is coming. They have faith all the way through. That is amazing! They do not waiver. They are completely faithful! I often wonder if I could stand with that much faith in my own smaller trials. However, as I think about it I find that I have already had a difficult time with that. I have felt with all that I am that something is true, but when the final time comes I sometimes doubt what I know in my heart to be true; my faith waivers. This is where I need to work on my faith. Holding all the way through no matter what. If you are trying your best then Heavenly Father will not let you fall. He knows your efforts and what you are doing. Don’t worry about it. He’s right there to catch you.