Canonical Reading Plan for Nov 19, Act 16-17

The readings for today are Act 16-17.  

Immediately after the very first church council determines that Gentiles do not have to be circumcised to be part of the new church (Act 15:19-29), in Act 16 Paul directs Timothy, who is technically a Gentile (Act 16:1), to get circumcised. The council’s decision made circumcision a non-essential doctrine. The council encouraged the Jews to be circumcised but not to impose it upon the Gentiles. In Timothy’s case, we see grace being exhibited in how that non-essential doctrine is carried out. Clearly, it is acceptable to either circumcise or not. Since it has been determined that circumcision is not necessary for salvation, there is freedom (grace) in practicing it either way. Furthermore, Paul, operating under James and the council at Jerusalem, is given grace to function according to his circumstances.

In this process of determining its first doctrinal issue, the church manages to maintain unity while having different opinions and practices in areas that are non-essential. If the events of Act 16 are our example, can the modern church do the same with issues like mode and time of baptism? Free will? The role of women? Can we allow those who do not line up with our non-essential doctrine to practice theirs and maintain unity? Can they do the same for us? If so, perhaps we can all turn our attention to our common calling, the gospel.

Later in Gal 2:3, to emphasize the extent of this freedom and grace Paul has, we will see that he does not have Titus, another Greek, circumcised.

Timothy is circumcised. Titus is not. Both are Greeks. Both are leaders in the church. Both decisions are right. There is grace in non-essential doctrines. But, there is also structure in how that grace is administered. Honor is given to God by all sides. 

Amid the struggles with the church's growing legalism and a self-serving attitude, we see Paul flee toward Athens when some unbelieving Jews in Thessalonica get so upset at his teaching that they chase him out of town. They follow him to Berea to cause more trouble (Act 17:1-15). Their anger at him shows the Jews exhibit a total lack of grace, so much so that they are reduced to chasing Paul around Macedonia, causing problems for him.

In Athens, we see the Greeks at the Areopagus (Mars Hill) exhibit the three possible reactions to the gospel; some reject it, some want to debate it further, and some (a few) accept and believe.

Notice that Luke is very careful to mention leading women who become believers (Act 17:4). One of the recurring themes of Luke's writings is the role of women in the formation of the new church.

Also, notice that as Paul is persecuted and mistreated again.  God uses his trials to expand the teaching of the gospel. Ironically, at every town to which is Paul is chased, he preaches, and people believe.

Here is what the town center looks like in Thessalonica today:

This is the square at Berea from which Paul is said to have preached:

Here is an ancient synagogue whose foundation goes back to the 1st century. It is quite likely that Paul taught in this synagogue:

The Areopagus sits just below the summit of the Acropolis in Athens. Here's the view looking down upon this exceptionally massive rock also known as Mars Hill. In Paul's time, there were townhouses built on the top:

Steps were carved into the Areopagus long before the 1st Century. The top is very windy. But just below it, there is a natural amphitheater where the Greeks would gather to listen to lectures given from the elevated position the steps provided. This is where Paul would have delivered his sermon to the Greeks in Act 17:22-30:

The Parthenon sits atop the Acropolis, overlooking the Areopagus:

The events in Macedonia and Greece are dramatic examples of how God uses oppression from unbelievers and the evil works of those who oppose Christ to grow and strengthen His church and the proclamation of the gospel. God has promised to use all things for the good of those who believe and for His glory (Rom 8:28). We see that promise played out in Act 17. It should give us confidence that it will play out in our lives as well.