Responses to the Resurrection

Those who conclude that Paul's ministry in Athens was a complete failure and that his approach was not consistent with his method elsewhere overlook the last three verses of this chapter. We learn that when Paul began to deal with the resurrection of the dead, those listening began to react negatively. It was the same message Paul had preached elsewhere and it generated a similar reaction. There were those who ridiculed the whole idea of a bodily resurrection from the dead. They lived in the grips of a philosophy that led them to live for the moment and not to be concerned about any kind of consequences. Others professed a detached kind of interest and said that they were open to hearing more. But some in Athens did believe and the evidence of their belief was that they identified with the preachers of the Gospel. These responses to the resurrection are still present with us today. Only those who respond in faith know the reality of salvation from sin.