THE UNKNOWN GOD

September 19

Bible Reading: Acts 17:22-24

Acts 17:23, “For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.”

In the sixth century B.C., Athens was struck by a devastating pestilence. The Athenians, who worshipped a multitude of gods, believed that the plague was a sign of divine displeasure. To address this crisis, the city sought the counsel of a priestess, who recommended a ritual purification. They summoned Epimenides, a man from Crete, to perform the necessary rites.

Epimenides took both black and white sheep and released them to roam freely across the city. Followers were instructed to mark with an altar the locations where each sheep was laid down as an offering to the local deities. To ensure that no god was overlooked, they also erected altars to an “Unknown God” as a precautionary measure.

Epimenides’ was credited with saving Athens from the plague, and he was hailed as a prophet. However, like with other such outbreaks, it eventually merely subsided on its own.  Not only was Epimenides revered as a prophet, he was a famed poet.  In fact, the words, “In him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28) were from him.

Epimenides came to Athens to address a pestilence that threatened the city’s health, employing rituals to appease a multitude of deities. In contrast, Paul arrived in Athens sent by the Holy Spirit to address a far greater issue: the spiritual plight of its people. The numerous false gods of Athens could not stop the pestilence, as they were mere fabrications. However, the God previously unknown to the Athenians, now revealed by Paul, offers a solution to a universal affliction of a different nature.

Jesus’ resurrection stands as undeniable proof of the acceptance of His sacrifice for sin. The pandemic of sin, which affects all of humanity, finds its remedy in the blood of Jesus. While Epimenides sought to placate a host of imaginary gods, Paul proclaimed the good news of a real God who sacrificed His only Son to redeem us from our sins. How wonderful it is that this God is not unknown to us!

In creation, God shows us His hand; in redemption, He shows us His heart. – Dennis J. De Haan

HOW GREAT THOU ART
O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Refrain:
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze. [Refrain]

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin. [Refrain]

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: “My God, how great Thou art!” [Refrain]

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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