Becoming (Like) Dionysius and Damaris

"Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent. For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”

When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to mock him, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this topic.” At that, Paul left the Areopagus. But some joined him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others who were with them."
-Luke, 1st century
Acts 17:30-34

[This is the 15th message of this series]

Greek Council

Areopagus is the aristocratic council of ancient Athens. The name was taken from the Areopagus (the Hill of Ares), a low hill northwest of the Acropolis, which was where the council meet. This area was used as a forum for the rulers of Athens to hold trials, debate and discuss important matters.

Ares Hill today, Athens Greece

Paul

The Apostle Paul in his missionary journeys in Europe with his missionary team, was surprised to see in Athens Greece, an altar of worship with the inscription 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD' which apparently were common in those parts during that time.

The Epicurean and Stoic philosophers and Athen's prominent citizens, judges and leaders at that day and time were busy talking about their laws, legalities, new ideas, their logic and philosophies. When they heard Paul talking about something they have never heard before, they engaged him in conversation, debated with him, mocked him and invited him to tell them more about this new philosophy.

Dionysius

Dionysius was one of those Athenians. He was a judge at the Areopagus Court. After listening to Paul, he converted to Christianity and has become a venerated saint in those parts.

He was one of the first and few Athenians to believe in Christ.

Damaris

Another person that was mentioned by Luke in the Book of Acts was Damaris. Like Dionysius, she was one among the few Athenians who believed in Christ. Damaris was likely a prominent woman in Athens. Both had a lot to lose by believing and coming out as Christians, but they did. 

Church in Athens

Both of them and other believers who were not mentioned by name were the very first believers in Athens. As far as we know, there was no letter written and addressed by Paul to the church in Athens.

Although in all likelihood, there was a small body of believers in their city and it was most probably hard for Dionysius, Damaris and all those pioneer believers in the social circles they walk in. But they went against these adversities. They were the first believers in their families and the first in their community to believe in Christ. 

For anyone who was born and who grew up in a city and society where Christianity was well practiced and accepted, they would generally have no idea what these first believers had to go through by converting. 

Fear Not

When we are born, grew up and live in a culture where Christianity is not the norm and not accepted, let us be mindful that there were others before us, like Dionysius and Damaris and many other men and women who came after them through the years and all over the world. 

Let us be like them and let us not be afraid to be a Christian even though the path may be hard and the way we have chosen to walk on is not an easy road to take. 

Becoming (Like) Series

Don't Be Like Them Series