Footsteps of Paul- Mars Hill

 

This are the the ancient stairs 

leading to the top of Mars Hill.

The wear and tear is showing on them 

and access to the top is now with a new set of stairs.

Mars Hill is the Roman name 

for a hill in Athens, Greece 

which is called Hill of Ares or Aeropagus.

Ares was the Greek god of war and their myths

 claimed that this was the spot that Ares stood trial

 before the other gods for the murder of Poseidon's son.

The top of the hill is 377 above the land below.

It is close to the Acropolis.

It is close to the Agora (Marketplace) also.

Mars Hill was the meeting place 

for those serving at the Aeropagus Court. 

This court dealt with religious, criminal and civil issues.

Saint Paul brings significance to this site 

with the story in Acts 17:16-34.

In his second missionary journey,

 this was the place for one of his most

 important Gospel messages.

Here he speaks to the Greeks about their idols,

 specifically their "Unknown God." 

Paul gives an excellent example of 

"understanding his audience."

He met them right where they were 

and then continued to lay out the Gospel message

 in a Biblical and logical way.

Christian apologetics at its best.

He started with the false beliefs that they held

 and then moved to a simple presentation 

of the Gospel message.

Paul perfected his missionary methods 

and started out in the synagogues, 

then moved to the marketplaces.

The Epicureans and Stoics he met there heard 

about the resurrected Jesus. 

They "brought him to the Areopagus" 

to hear more about this "new doctrine."

Connie and Lisa Latall
 

John and Connie on a windy day on Mars Hill.

The message of 

St Paul's speech on Mars Hill is an encouragement to us

 to be bold in the proclamation of the Gospel message.

We know this "unknown God."

 There will always be scoffers and searchers, 

and maybe some will claim this Jesus.

We don't have to manage the outcome.

The Holy Spirit waters the planted seeds.

We just need to take the steps.