Stand up to Make a Defence of Your Faith Everywhere
- Baptist Daily Devotional
- Oct 6
- 3 min read
Rev. Tse Amable | October 6 2025 | Acts 17:22-31
KEY VERSE: “Paul then stood up in the meeting of the AREOPAGUS and said .....” Acts 17:22 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
When Apostle Paul saw the level of idolatry in Athens, he was greatly distressed and decided to do something – preach and teach Jesus Christ. The Bible says he “REASONED IN THE SYNAGOGUE with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as IN THE MARKETPLACE day by day with those who happened to be there.” Acts 17:17 (NIV). He went everywhere to preach. The people in authority in Athens heard about Paul and therefore took him and brought him to a meeting of the AREOPAGUS, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean” Acts 17:19-20 (NIV).
THE AREOPAGUS refers to both the geographical "Mars Hill" in Athens and the esteemed judicial and legislative council that met there in ancient Greece. The council, also known as the Areopagus, served as Athens' highest governmental and judicial body, overseeing significant legal and philosophical matters, including criminal cases. In today’s situation in Ghana, we will say Paul was brought before a meeting of the Cabinet and the Supreme Court. The equivalent in Jerusalem would be THE SANHEDRIN. This was a powerful group of powerful and highly-placed state officials, which would scare anybody and could change your sleeping place (imprison you).
However, the Bible states, “Paul then stood up in the meeting of the AREOPAGUS and said ....” He was not afraid nor ashamed to preach and teach the gospel because he knew it was “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,....” Romans 1:16-17 (NIV).
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Do not be afraid to stand up before any council of Presidents, Prime Ministers, ministers of state, kings, queens, justices, etc. and preach the gospel. They, too, need salvation. STAND UP TO MAKE A DEFENCE OF YOUR FAITH EVERYWHERE.
PRAYER:
Father, I confess that it is not easy to share my faith with some category of people, especially persons who are deemed to be “know all”. Please give me boldness and wisdom to defend Jesus Christ when hostile unbelievers confront me. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 279: Jeremiah16-20 - Living the Message
DAILY word study: STOOD The word stood in Acts 17:22 comes from the Greek word histēmi, which means to stand firm, to be established, or to take one’s place.
When Paul “stood up” before the Areopagus, it was a statement of courage. He took his place as God’s messenger before powerful people who didn’t believe in Christ. His standing was both literal and spiritual — a stand for truth in a world full of idols and ideas.
To “stand” in faith means to be firm in what you believe, unshaken by fear or opinion. Like Paul, take your place with confidence wherever God gives you a voice.
Reflect on this:
Where has God placed you to take a stand for Him today? It might not be before rulers or scholars, but your courage to speak the truth — in your home, school, or workplace — is just as powerful. Standing firm in faith is how the gospel continues to reach new hearts.
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