A Study in Acts
Part 17
We are now in Acts chapter 14. It is a short chapter only 28 verses, but several things of importance happened, and I would like to try to cover them all in this lesson.
Acts 14:1-6: 1. Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. 2. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. 3. Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4. But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles. 5. And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, 6. they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region.
If you remember Paul and Barnabas left Antioch in Pisidia, shaking the dust of the city from their clothes due to their rejection of the Gospel. We now find them in Iconium. A city in now modern-day Turkey. It was about 90 miles away from Antioch in Pisidia. We see that Paul and Barnabas’s goal is always the spread of the Gospel. They enter Iconium and go immediately to the synagogue to teach. Synagogue are believed to have risen during and after the captivity into Babylon, when there was no temple for the people to go to for worship. Tradition tell us that a synagogue can be formed where there are 10 Jewish males. It is a place of study of the Pentateuch, the prophets and the Psalms. As we discussed last week, Paul always goes to the synagogue first, to share with the Jews. He shows them how Jesus fulfilled the law and the Prophets. At first there is revival. A great multitude of both Jews and Greeks believe. However, unbelieving Jews, that is Jews who rejected the truth begin a campaign against them. The Word tells us they “poisoned” the minds of the people against them. Another translation says they “made their minds evil.”
I think this is a distinction we need to explore. There are people in the world today who are considered “good” who are not “born again.” By this I mean they have not given their hearts to the Lord and received true new birth. They speak and act good, do good acts, charitable acts, but are not born again. On the other side of the coin are people who claim to be born again and have absolutely no fruit in their lives. Neither give glory to God. One may do good works, but as we all know works do not save you. The other is the “once saved” individual who may or may not understand what repentance and the Lordship of Jesus means, thus their life does not reflect or glorify God. Pastor has often said, if you are not serving God, then you are serving the devil. It is a sad truth. So, what may appear good, in the short term, is good, but in the long run, may or may not be long lasting.
So, we see Paul and Barnabas again persecuted for the Word’s sake, and eventually the unbelieving Jews with their poison, drive the city to almost rioting, in an effort to stone the Apostles. At this point they become aware of the situation and flee to Lystra and Derbe.
Acts 14: 7-17: 7. And they were preaching the gospel there. 8. And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother's womb, who had never walked. 9. This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10. said with a loud voice, "Stand up straight on your feet!'' And he leaped and walked. 11. Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!'' 12. And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13. Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes. 14. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out..
The first thing we notice is there is no synagogue. This city is predominantly Roman. Meaning they are “heathens and idol worshippers.” In Lystra is a temple to Zeus.
This is the first recorded miracle in Paul’s ministry. It is very similar to the miracle at the Gate Beautiful in earlier chapters, in Peter’s ministry. Both men had been exposed to the preaching of the Gospel. Bothe believed and had faith released into their heart. Romans 10:17, tells us faith comes by hearing the Word of God, or the Gospel message. Both Peter and Paul looked on these men and perceived they had faith to be healed. This is an important note for us as believers. Can God look and you and see your faith. Faith for salvation, for healing, for anything in your life. Or do you have the empty look of someone with nothing in their life. Miracles are the results of faith in God, not the words of men or the actions of men. The words and teaching based on the Word, leads to faith, but it is not the men who utter them or who take you by the hand to walk that are the miracle workers. It is the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit alone. Always, Always remember that.
We see in the next verses what happens when men are lifted up instead of God. The idolatrous people of the city, because of the healing of this man, try to worship the messengers rather than the message giver.
We see in verses 14-18 the anguish Paul and Barnabas suffer as a result of men’s misguidance and unbelief. They truly are distraught with the thought that God was not getting the glory in this instance.
Acts 14: 19-20: 19. Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 20. However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
In the midst of all this turmoil, comes the thorn in Paul’s side. The unbelievers, both Jewish and Gentile that follow him from now on, city to city stirring up discord. Here again we see the city men, moved to mob mentality and them stoning, they stoned Paul, as he was the speaker, or teacher. Paul is stoned so severely that he is knocked unconscious and dragged out of the city for dead. However, believers and brethren follow, surround him, probably praying for him, and he rose up, going back into the city and then leaving for the city of Derbe the next day. I believe that Paul during that 24-hour period was healed. Stoning is a brutal and painful process, which was always supposed to end in death. Praise God, He is greater. He had a plan for Paul and no amount of stones thrown could undo that plan.
Please ladies, take this to heart. You may be beaten down, knocked down, spiritually unconscious but God will not leave you there. He will raise you up, get you back to your life and you will go on to give him glory and honor. Don’t ever forget to whom you belong. You were bought with a price. Don’t cheapen the price with unbelief and a weak walk. Get up, go back to your city and keep going!
This is the end of Paul’s what is known as “Paul’s first missionary journey.” The remainder of the chapter describes Paul and Barnabas returning to the cities they have visited. Teaching in each city.
Acts 14: 22-23: 22. strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.'' 23. So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
They went back to the churches they had helped establish, exhorting and teaching them. Strengthening them, for the furtherance of the Gospel. Here, Paul and Barnabas speak to their upcoming trails, and the future they will have in following the Lord Jesus and in teaching His word. Paul realized his life will not be easy. Anyone who tells you the believers walk is easy is misleading you in many ways. Yes, we as believers, have faith. We know with God all things are possible. I remember one time; I was at a youth rally at a church. The youth pastor had given the altar call and many young people had come to give their hearts to Christ. It was truly a wonderful moment, but during his charge to them, he said now, life would be easier. In my heart, that is not true. Don’t tell them that. Why, because God did not tell us life would be easy, with no trouble or tribulation. What Jesus does say is that His yoke is light, His burden is easy. Why, because he takes our cares and worries and deal with them. We can make our life easy or hard, by leaving our burdens with Him or constantly taking them back. Sometimes, it is hard to wait for God’s results in God’s time. If we don’t see the answer or change, we take back our problems. We want things now, when in actuality, it may take months or years to see the answer. My question is can you recognize the “tribulations that will come,” in your life and leave them in God’s hands? Or do you think you can handle life better on your own, without Jesus or the Holy Spirit as guide? I have tried both and believe me, I want the peace and wisdom of God, not my own mixed up solutions. I am at the stage now in my life, where I can honestly say. “God is able, He is stronger, wiser and faithful. I can do nothing without HIM.” Amen??