"Let's Go To Mars Hill!"

For this lesson I would encourage you to read Acts 17:4-32. There are almost as many responses to the gospel message as there are individuals. Each person has a different personality as they are a complex and unique individual coming from different places in life.
As we present The Gospel we must adapt our presentation of the gospel according to the person with whom we are working. For instance we do not present the gospel account to a child in the same way we may present it to an adult.
Again we would not use the same methods with a person who has no background of biblical knowledge as we would with someone who has been raised in a Christian family with a wealth of scripture recognition.

This principle is illustrated in this passage in Acts 17. The Apostle Paul approached a variety of people in a variety of ways with the message of Christ and His salvation. To the Jews of Thessalonica he reasoned logically from the Old Testament scriptures about Jesus of Nazareth to show them that the Messianic hope had been fulfilled in Him.
Earlier, to the Gentile jailor at Philippi, he simply presented the fact of salvation in Christ, knowing this man was already convinced that their message was true and he needed to hear the story of God's grace and place his faith in Christ and obey His terms of salvation.
Later, he preached to the philosophers at Athens, approaching them from the framework of their philosophical background, even quoting from one of their poets as he appealed to their general interest in religious observance as was indicated by their idol 'to an unknown God.'
However, no matter how careful we are to approach a person in the proper way, there will be differing and varied responses. Some will mock as those who rejected Paul at Mars Hill. Others will become angry like the Jewish rioters in Thessolonica. Hopefully many will respond as the more noble folks did at Berea.
In this lesson we can find three basic responses to the gospel as well as a variety of reactions among major groups who have their own ideas and philosophies. The three major responses we find in scripture are;
1) Acceptance...Acts 17:4, 34,
2) Rejection...Acts 17:5, 32
3) Curiosity and Indifference...Acts 17:18, 32.

Let's notice these. Even among those who believed, the response could have been motivated by some other incentive. They could be led to conviction for different reasons. Scripture clearly indicates that the majority of Bereans had open minds and were teachable. They did not seem to be prejudiced with preconceived ideas about this Messiah of whom Paul spoke.
They were willing to listen to the evidence. However they were not gullible to anything that came their way that simply sounded good to their ears. They did what many are NOT willing to do today, they searched the scriptures to see if what Paul said was actually true, comparing Paul's words to what they held in their own minds.
These kinds of people are often the easiest to reach for Christ. There is no barrier from previous convictions to come between them and what The Lord has to say in His Holy Word. Yet they examine the evidence carefully to make sure before they act or react.

They are not moved by simple emotions that are only temporary feelings and are a weak foundation for Christian faith and living. Those willing to search and study make strong and faithful Christians and how the world needs more like them. These folks know what they believe and biblically they know why.
When a person is initially moved by emotions alone, I find at this point many want to press for a decision before they allow the prospect to come to a true and sure understanding of what God expects as they make their next decision.
Too often we are in a hurry to get someone in the baptistry before we teach them what is expected before and after they follow through. If we build a church on emotions it will crumble far too soon as the emotions fade.
Some who believed, like Dionysius and Damaris, may have been motivated by fear of judgment and hope of eternal life, since Paul's message on Mars Hill contained a reference to both of these aspects of the Christian faith.
These two areas of the gospel cannot be left out of the message as we share the truth of Christ's Word with others.
Among those who rejected, their response was still varied. Some at Berea no doubt rejected, but they left it at that. But those at Thessalonica rejected the message and were bitter and violent. They were not content to reject it and walk away, they felt they had to persecute those who taught such things and were unwilling to search to see if it just might be true.
Today we may not receive physical persecution from those who reject Christ's message, but we might face their opposition in other forms. Some will openly mock while others will simply walk away.
Some may listen out of curiosity and put it off until a later time like the philosophers at Athens. Whatever opportunities come your way, use them and do not be ashamed to share and show Christ in your life. Your eternity and theirs depends on what is done with The Christ who has risen in us.
When curiosity is strong and evidence is made available, faith often is the result.

God bless and go do the right thing...