the times of this ignorance God winked at:

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VictoryinJesus

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Acts 17:16-31 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. [17] Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. [18] Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. [19] And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is ? [20] For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. [21] (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.) [22] Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. [23] For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

whom therefore you ignorantly worship:
seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; [25] Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. [30] And the times of this ignorance God winked at; (Philippians 3:3)

1 Timothy 1:12-17 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; [13] Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. [14] And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. [15] This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. [16] Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. [17] Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

[24] God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; [25] Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; [26] And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; [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: [28] For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. [29] Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. [30] And the times of this ignorance God winked at;

…Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
[14] And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

but now commandeth all men every where to repent: [31] Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
 
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Robert Gwin

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Acts 17:16-31 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. [17] Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. [18] Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. [19] And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is ? [20] For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. [21] (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.) [22] Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. [23] For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

whom therefore you ignorantly worship:
seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; [25] Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. [30] And the times of this ignorance God winked at; (Philippians 3:3)

1 Timothy 1:12-17 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; [13] Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. [14] And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. [15] This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. [16] Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. [17] Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

[24] God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; [25] Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; [26] And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; [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: [28] For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. [29] Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. [30] And the times of this ignorance God winked at;

…Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
[14] And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

but now commandeth all men every where to repent: [31] Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

god "winked" at them or in other words blessed them as He realized like Paul that they were very spiritual people. True, at that time they were ignorant in who God was, but Paul proclaimed Him to them.

It is no different today Maam, although many have heard of God, many do not know Him, that is why Jesus sent his disciples out to make more disciples who eventually would saturate the world with the good news to God's satisfaction. We have not yet completed our assignment, as Mat 24:14 shows that when we complete that assignment, then God will end this system, and the Kingdom will come. We all pray for that Kingdom to come, and hope that it comes soon.
 

VictoryinJesus

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god "winked" at them or in other words blessed them as He realized like Paul that they were very spiritual people. True, at that time they were ignorant in who God was, but Paul proclaimed Him to them.

It is no different today Maam, although many have heard of God, many do not know Him, that is why Jesus sent his disciples out to make more disciples who eventually would saturate the world with the good news to God's satisfaction. We have not yet completed our assignment, as Mat 24:14 shows that when we complete that assignment, then God will end this system, and the Kingdom will come. We all pray for that Kingdom to come, and hope that it comes soon.

what I gathered from the passage was they were worshiping that which was made with hands. As Paul said of his time of ignorance. Then Paul tells them the same that Stephen said right before being stoned Acts 7:48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,

Acts 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
 

Robert Gwin

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what I gathered from the passage was they were worshiping that which was made with hands. As Paul said of his time of ignorance. Then Paul tells them the same that Stephen said right before being stoned Acts 7:48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,

Acts 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;


Paul observed the misguided but extraordinary spirituality of those people, who were ignorant of who they were worshipping. He stated to them: (Acts 17:23, 24) . . .what you are unknowingly worshipping, this I am declaring to you. 24 The God who made the world and all the things in it, being, as he is, Lord of heaven and earth. . .

What was the result? Just like any other place, some scoff while: (Acts 17:34) . . .some men joined him and became believers. . .
There are still very spiritually minded people out there that have not yet became believers Vic, that is why we are still reaching out to them. When God is satisfied that everyone has been reached, then the end will come Mat 24:14
 

VictoryinJesus

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Paul observed the misguided but extraordinary spirituality of those people, who were ignorant of who they were worshipping. He stated to them: (Acts 17:23, 24) . . .what you are unknowingly worshipping, this I am declaring to you. 24 The God who made the world and all the things in it, being, as he is, Lord of heaven and earth. . .

What was the result? Just like any other place, some scoff while: (Acts 17:34) . . .some men joined him and became believers. . .
There are still very spiritually minded people out there that have not yet became believers Vic, that is why we are still reaching out to them. When God is satisfied that everyone has been reached, then the end will come Mat 24:14

I’m hopeful and the motive was not to say there are not any spiritually minded people out there that have not became believers. The motive of the OP was not to pick on them. Honestly Acts 17:21-22 (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.) [22] Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.

The above made me pause because I felt convicted by “Spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or hear some new thing” wondering if that is me also. Paul did tell them of a new thing by declaring to them Christ.
1 Peter 1:13-14 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; [14] As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

Consider again, 1 Timothy 1:13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

That was the only motive for bringing Paul into it since he could relate to the Athens in “I did it ignorantly in unbelief”: yet Paul said I counted it all dung, loss for Christ sake.
 
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Robert Gwin

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I’m hopeful and the motive was not to say there are not any spiritually minded people out there that have not became believers. The motive of the OP was not to pick on them. Honestly Acts 17:21-22 (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.) [22] Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.

The above made me pause because I felt convicted by “Spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or hear some new thing” wondering if that is me also. Paul did tell them of a new thing by declaring to them Christ.
1 Peter 1:13-14 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; [14] As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

Consider again, 1 Timothy 1:13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

That was the only motive for bringing Paul into it since he could relate to the Athens in “I did it ignorantly in unbelief”: yet Paul said I counted it all dung, loss for Christ sake.


In fact maam we know there are many spiritually minded people who have not yet become "believers". If that were not the case, we would see the end of this system Mat 24:14. I of course do not have the keys to life or death, Jesus does. But I can tell you that upon Jesus' return, that those who do not know God will be destroyed. 2 Thes 1:6-9. It leads in to that by saying Is it righteous on God's part, what do you think Vicky?
 

Robert Gwin

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How did you know? :)


If that is your name maam, I didn't. I simply used your handle and your sex to form a name. If you had of been a man I would have used Vic. If you are referring to the message, it is simply what was stated. Thanks for the smile at any rate, it lifted my spirits.
 

VictoryinJesus

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If that is your name maam, I didn't. I simply used your handle and your sex to form a name. If you had of been a man I would have used Vic. If you are referring to the message, it is simply what was stated. Thanks for the smile at any rate, it lifted my spirits.

Another member told me they prayed for me by my name. Which I had not told them. So when you posted Vicky that threw me. I do see what you are saying about Vic but yes I was responding concerning the name. because I’ve been here at least three years, and you are the second only that has responded Vicky …which is my name.
 

farouk

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Another member told me they prayed for me by my name. Which I had not told them. So when you posted Vicky that threw me. I do see what you are saying about Vic but yes I was responding concerning the name. because I’ve been here at least three years, and you are the second only that has responded Vicky …which is my name.
Hi @VictoryinJesus Kind of links in with 1 Corinthians 15.57, maybe?
 
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farouk

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I’m hopeful and the motive was not to say there are not any spiritually minded people out there that have not became believers. The motive of the OP was not to pick on them. Honestly Acts 17:21-22 (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.) [22] Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.

The above made me pause because I felt convicted by “Spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or hear some new thing” wondering if that is me also. Paul did tell them of a new thing by declaring to them Christ.
1 Peter 1:13-14 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; [14] As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

Consider again, 1 Timothy 1:13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

That was the only motive for bringing Paul into it since he could relate to the Athens in “I did it ignorantly in unbelief”: yet Paul said I counted it all dung, loss for Christ sake.
@VictoryinJesus Paul clearly took many opportunities for witness in highly varying situations.

He strenuously objected to the legalism by which some of a Jewish background sought to impose circumcision compulsorily.

But he also circumcised Timothy in order that those from a Jewish background might listen to his testimony more readily.

Paul's motives were deeply driven by a desire to make the Gospel known.
 

Robert Gwin

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Another member told me they prayed for me by my name. Which I had not told them. So when you posted Vicky that threw me. I do see what you are saying about Vic but yes I was responding concerning the name. because I’ve been here at least three years, and you are the second only that has responded Vicky …which is my name.


Just blind luck maam, thanks for revealing that to me, and it is nice to meet you Vicky, and no doubt you realize my name is Bob.
 
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