Acts 17:27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us.

Paul was at Athens. He was troubled when he saw the whole city given to idolatries. From their Unknown God, he began to preach to them about the one true God who is the creator of the universe and all lives that are therein. He addressed the one important question often ask by men: “Why did God create human beings knowing they would sin and forsake Him?”

The answer lies in verse 17: “That they should seek the Lord.” The word “seek” here means a diligent search. It is as a woman loses a piece of her precious ear ring and makes a thorough search in her house (Luke 15:8-10).

Can we know God? Yes, we can. It may come with some difficulties but it is not impossible. God has given the world many evidences of His existence (Psalm 19:1). Men just need to seek Him out. Christ promised that those who seek shall find (Matthew 7:7).

In Athens, Paul confronted a people who had absolutely NO knowledge of the true God. These people were intellectuals. Luke says of them, "For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing" (Acts 17:21). Yet, highly intelligent people can discuss and talk, but never come to the knowledge of the Truth. There are many highly intellect people who, having seen the universe and question its origin, refuse to come to the conclusion that there must be a highly intelligent Being who is behind this highly complex system but instead deny God and come up with an absurd theory of evolution. They simply refuse to seek God.

The highly intellect Athenians even had an altar to “The Unknown God” (Acts 17:23). Were they referring to a god that did not reveal himself and therefore, unknown to anyone? Or were they referring to a god who was unknowable, meaning they knew his existence but were unable to comprehend him?

The prophet Isaiah says: "Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near" (Isaiah 55:6).

Those who sincerely and diligently seek God will find Him because He is near to each one of us. The God of this universe is a known God and is knowable (Psalm 19:1; Romans 1:20). The scripture says we can know Him. God revealed to Moses and when Moses asked the question that all men are still asking: “What is His name?” God replied: “I AM THAT I AM” (Exodus 3:13-14). The name means He is the self-existing one. He has no beginning, has no ending but is eternally, the absolute and unchanging God.

Can we know God? Yes, we can. The first verse of the Bible declares: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). The scripture does not waste time to describe God and what He looks like but dives straight to the point and introduces Him as the Creator of this universe and all living things. When men accept and recognise God as their Creator, everything else will fall in place.

Men ask: “How did the universe come into existence?” “Where did life come from?” The Bible says God created them. We can know God; the creation is the proof of His existence: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork” (Psalm 19:1).

God has left His marks in the entire universe, in this planet earth, in man himself, that man has no excuse and say there is no God (Romans 1:20). God’s presence is EVERYWHERE; will you seek Him?

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.

Acts 18:25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

What makes a true gospel preacher? Many today think that he is someone who has completed a degree in a bible college, better still if he has a PH.D in Theology; such a man would be mighty in the scriptures. He must also be eloquent, diligent, and fervent in spirit. To many, this man knows the truth from error. But that’s not so!

Apollos fit all the descriptions mentioned above. He was eloquent, mighty in the scriptures, instructed in the way of the Lord (in today’s term, a graduate from a bible university), fervent in spirit, and a great teacher. Yet, in spite of all these impressive credentials, he still did not get his doctrine right. His knowledge about Christ was not complete and he knew only the baptism of John. He had not heard about Christ’s baptism (Mark 16:16).

Fortunately, Aquila and Priscilla heard him and took him aside, corrected him, and taught him the word of God more accurately (Acts 18:26). We are glad to see the humility of this man Apollos. He wasn’t puff up because he was already a great speaker and one mighty in the scriptures. He was attentive to the teachings of this fine Christian couple and accepted their teaching and explanation of the scriptures. How different it is with today’s many charismatic preachers who think they know everything and refuse to learn and come to the knowledge of the truth.

What can we learn from the encounter of Aquila, Pricilla, and Apollos?

1. ONE MAY BE MIGHTY IN THE SCRIPTURE BUT STILL BE IGNORANT OF ESSENTIAL TRUTHS. Apollos knew much of what God’s word said “concerning Jesus,” but He did not yet know the gospel of Christ. Without the gospel of Christ, salvation is not possible (Romans 1:16). Apollos’ knowledge was an important asset. But until he obeyed the gospel, he was lost.

Every preacher should be properly instructed. A small degree of knowledge is not sufficient for a preacher of the Gospel. A good gospel preacher is good because he keeps learning and keeps improving. A good preacher is always hungry and thirsty for righteousness (Matthew 5:6). His knowledge consists in being well instructed in the things concerning the kingdom of heaven. He preaches the word of God and not the wisdom of men.

2. PRIVATE BIBLE STUDIES ARE IMPORTANT. Aquila and Priscilla took Apollos aside and taught him the word of God more accurately. More conversions are being done because of private and personal bible studies than over the pulpit preaching. Such small group setting enables the unbeliever to feel more comfortable and at ease. There is no teacher and student relationship but just friendship. The setting is conversational and cordial. The unbeliever is at ease to ask questions and the lessons are less structured than in a bible class. Christ did a private study with Nicodemus too (John 3:1-5).

3. THE STUDENT MUST SOON BE A TEACHER. Apollos learned the new truth and he went about delivering it to others (Acts 18:28). He could not remain silent. He became a passionate missionary and preached the gospel wherever he went (verse 27-28). He used his knowledge and his education for the service of the Lord. He must have made a deep impact in Corinth because some of the Christians there named themselves after him (1 Corinthians 1:12).

Apollos has the humility and desire to learn more. Even though a skillful speaker and a scholar, he was ready to learn more about Jesus. Aquila was always ready to teach an erring brother. They provide great examples and lessons for us to follow. Be a teacher and a student at the same time!

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.

Acts 21:13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

A prophet named Agabus prophesied that the Jews in Jerusalem would bind Paul and delivered him to the Romans. When the Christian brethren heard it, they pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. They loved Paul and hoped he stayed away from Jerusalem. But Paul, notwithstanding the loving and affectionate entreaties of his brethren, held on to his plan. The work of his Master must continue in spite of the danger to his life. He said: “What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13).

What can we learn from this event?

1.      The LOVE of the brethren.

They were crying. They loved him dearly. Paul was not their father or their son but just a Christian brother; but they love him nonetheless. Have you cried for a brother or a sister in Christ? I do not mean when they are dead and lying in a coffin, but when they are alive.

It is so easy to criticise and dislike a brother. But it takes effort to love a brother. Agape love is a love of the mind. It is telling oneself that he must love a brother in spite of. And because agape love does not come easily that it must be commanded. Christ commanded it: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34).

Love is the Christian badge; the essential and distinctive mark that we are the disciples of Christ: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35).

We have brethren who are living under communist rule who are oppressing Christianity. Let our love extend to them and remember them in our daily prayers. They need strength and encouragement and we thank God that they have continued to persevere.

2.      The FAITH of the apostle.

Paul was ready to die for the name of Christ. He wasn’t joking. In peace time, many can confidently declare their love for Christ and how they would die for His name sake. But, when it comes to the real test, many will chicken up. Peter is one example who boasted that he would never deny his Lord; but he did (Matthew 26:33; 69-73).

The spirit of martyrdom reigned in the hearts of the early Christians. I wonder if this spirit of martyrdom still exist today. It may exist as an exception and not as a norm. Our brethren in communist countries may be willing to go to prison than to denounce Christ. But, how about the rest of us? Why am I sceptical about the rest?

We have been too comfortable all our lives to be able to endure persecutions. How can one endure persecutions, imprisonment and death for Christ if he:

  i.       Can’t even wake up early on some Sundays to attend worship.

 ii.       Claims he is too busy to serve God.

iii.       Says he is too tired to attend Thursday night bible class.

iv.       Is not attentive in worship.

 v.       Is not living the Christian life.

Our Lord says: “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much,” (Luke 16:10). Conversely, he that is unfaithful in the least is also unfaithful in much. You can’t count on a person to die for Christ if he is too busy now to serve Him.

God wants us to love our brethren and to have the unwavering and sincere faith for Him (Mark 12:30-31). Therefore, let us love as Christians and remain faithful unto death (Revelations 2:10).

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.