Yesterday I stood on Mars Hill—the Areopagus—where Paul spoke to the leaders and philosophers of Athens in Acts 17. Right there, across from the Parthenon, in the intellectual center of the culture, Paul stood up and declared:
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth.” — Acts 17:24
He didn’t retreat from culture. He walked straight into the middle of it. No fear. No backing off.
The day before, I was in ancient Corinth, standing near the Bema, the public platform in the heart of the marketplace where civic decisions were made and where Paul was brought before Gallio in Acts 18. Above the city stood the great Temple of Apollo, one of the dominant symbols of Corinth’s pagan world.
And into that world Paul came preaching Jesus.
Acts says, “Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.” Then the Lord told him, “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.” Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching the Word of God.
That challenges me.
In today’s electrified, polarized culture, Paul modeled what Jesus called us to be: salt and light. Heavy on the light.
He didn’t merely condemn the darkness. He turned on the light. He pointed people to Jesus—a better King, a better Kingdom, a better way to live.
Standing on those ancient stones, I was inspired. Got fired up.
Paul worked. He walked. He preached. He discipled. He built relationships. Staying with Aquila and Priscilla, he helped establish one of the most influential churches of the New Testament.
And he didn’t do it alone.
Paul built a band of brothers around him—men who traveled, prayed, preached, served, suffered and carried the mission together.
At the museum, I stopped for a moment in front of the bust of Caesar. One of the most powerful men on earth in his generation.
Caesar is dead. Jesus is alive.
The empire that seemed unstoppable is gone. The Gospel Paul preached is still moving across the earth. Nothing lasting just happens.
It takes effort. Work. Sweat. Courage. Faithfulness.
And brotherhood.
Paul was remarkable—but his band of brothers helped carry the mission.
It takes a team to change the world.
We have work to do.
Your friend, brother, and ally.
Grace and Peace,
Paul Louis Cole
