Acts chapter 17 doesn't seem to have any new contradictions, but there's probably something worth commenting on. Paul and Silas continue their travels, eventually coming to Thessalonica, where they go to the synagogue and talk about Jesus for three weeks, resulting in many converts. As is often the case, there are some Jews who don't like this, and stir up trouble, going to the house of someone named Jason who probably was someone who was intimately involved with them. They try to get Jason arrested, but eventually let him go after he posts bail. Paul and Silas move on to Berea, where the people there are said to be more noble because they listen and check the scriptures that Paul refers to, making sure that he's saying truth. The Thessalonican Jews hear Paul is there and follow him, stirring up more trouble. Paul leaves by sea, with Silas and Timothy staying behind.
Paul comes to Athens, where he makes a very interesting speech on Mars Hill. After his usual talking in the synagogue there, some Greek philosophers invite him to talk in public about his doctrine, which they suppose is about "strange gods". In the KJV, Paul calls the Athenians "too superstitious", although it's worth noting that virtually every other translation renders this single Greek word as "very religious", which sounds more charitable. Paul notes that he came across an altar inscribed with "TO THE UNKNOWN GOD" (The source of this inscription is an interesting story which I happen to know and will share in the comments.) and Paul declares that it is this unknown God that he has come to preach. This is really quite fascinating, and I think supports the "very religious" translation, because Paul is here choosing not to belittle their religion, but meet them where he perceives them to be spiritually. A lot of people who try and share the gospel should take notes here. Paul talks about the God of Israel, the God who made the entire universe and is too vast to be contained in a temple. (I answered who is the Lord of this world interestingly enough in Ruth chapter four, which doesn't address this issue, but it came up in my response there. I answered whether God dwells in temples in Acts chapter seven.) Paul says that God is the God of all people, and anyone can follow him and be reconciled to him. (I answered whether we are all God's children in Matthew chapter six. I answered whether Jesus is God in Matthew chapter nine. I answered whether Jesus judges people in John chapter five.) When Paul talks about Jesus raising from the dead, the group breaks up, some mocking him, others expressing interest in hearing more, and a few leaving with Paul to become believers.
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In the sixth century BC, Athens was struck by a plague. The Athenians couldn't seem to do anything about it except die. They went to Delphi and consulted the oracle, which told them to seek Epimenides the Cretan. They sailed to Crete and found him, and he agreed to return with them to see if he could solve the problem. He asked them what they had done so far, and they told him that they had tried offering sacrifices to every god they knew of. Epimenides suggested that this was the wrong approach, and perhaps the plague was due to a jealous god that wanted sacrifices just for him or herself. The Athenians asked what to do. Epimenides had the Athenians put a flock of sheep in a barn overnight with no food. In the morning, they led the sheep to pasture on Mars Hill. Epimenides told them to watch the sheep for any activity other than eating, because the sheep should be very hungry. They watch, and suddenly, some of the sheep lie down and stop eating. Epimenides tells them to mark the spots and keep the sheep there, while guiding away the others. He instructs them to build altars at those spots and sacrifice the sheep there. The Athenians ask what inscription they should put on the altars. Epimenides says if they insist on an inscription, he suggests they write "TO AN UNKNOWN GOD." And they do.
Paul was apparently familiar with Epimenides, because he quotes him in the book of Titus. It's not known whether Paul knew this story.
Further research leads me to understand that "For in him we live, and move, and have our being" in Acts 17:28 is a quote from Epimenides, and most modern Bible translations note this. Apparently Paul has Epimenides in mind at this moment, so perhaps he does know the story.
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