"Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything,
since He gives to all life, breath, and all things."
The Apostle Paul--Acts 17:25, NKJV
The Athenians were always interested in something new, especially when it came to religion and philosophy. They loved to hear about it, talk about it, learn everything there was to know about it, so that they could then build a shrine to it, perfect their practice of it, and experience it to the fullest extent of their abilities. So when Paul came along preaching Jesus Christ and the resurrection, they were intrigued.
"What is this new doctrine?"
"This is strange--we've never heard this before."
"Tell us more! We want to know all about it."
So Paul indulges them. Referencing their own spirituality and their desire not to leave any god out of their tolerant and all-accepting pantheon of worship, he points out the altar dedicated TO THE UNKNOWN GOD and declares, "The One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you."
He made the world and everything in it.
He is Lord of heaven and earth, and does not dwell in temples made with hands.
He doesn't need us to give Him anything, because He is the giver of all things, including our life and our breath.
He has made from one man all the nations and inhabitants of the earth, AND He has determined their histories, destinies, and the boundaries of their territories.
He has put it in us to seek Him until we find Him, and He is not hard to find.
He is the source of our existence.
He cannot be contained in an image devised and made by man.
He overlooks our ignorance, but still calls us all to turn away from sin--including our worship of false gods--and turn to Him.
He has an appointed day of judgment for all mankind, and He will judge us by the One He ordained as the great judge of all--Jesus Christ whom He raised from the dead.
That's when the Athenians said, "Hmmm....we will hear you again, another time, on this matter." And some laughed and walked away. But some believed.
And the God who gives to every one of us life and breath and ALL THINGS, gave salvation and eternal life to them that believed. And He still does the same today.
