'Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”' (Acts 17.23-31, NKJV)
Acts 17 details the Apostle Paul's missionary activities in three cities: Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens.
Thessalonica, verses 1-9:
Paul and Silas arrive in Thessalonica and, as was Paul's custom, they go to the synagogue to preach. Paul reasons with the Jews and God-fearing Greeks from the Scriptures, explaining that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead, and proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah. Some of the Jews, along with a large number of God-fearing Greeks and prominent women, believe. However, other Jews become jealous and form a mob to incite a city-wide uproar, accusing Paul and Silas of defying Caesar's decrees and proclaiming another king, Jesus. Jason, who had hosted Paul and Silas, is dragged before the city officials and forced to post bond before being released.
Berea, verses 10-15:
Paul and Silas travel to Berea, where they find a more noble and open-minded audience. The Bereans receive the message with eagerness and examine the Scriptures daily to verify Paul's teachings. Many Jews and prominent Greek women and men believe. However, the troublemaking Jews from Thessalonica come to Berea and agitate the crowds. Paul is sent away to Athens for his safety, while Silas and Timothy stay in Berea.
Athens, verses 16-33:
In Athens, Paul is deeply distressed by the city's idolatry. He reasons in the synagogue with the Jews and God-fearing Greeks and debates with philosophers in the marketplace. Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers take him to the Areopagus (Mars Hill) to explain his teachings. Paul delivers a profound speech, acknowledging the Athenians' religiosity and using their altar to an unknown god as a starting point to proclaim the one true God who made the world and everything in it. He speaks of repentance, the coming judgment, and the resurrection of Jesus. While some mock him, others are intrigued and wish to hear more. A few, including Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris, believe and join him.