The Book of
Acts Chapter 14
The
Completion of Paul’s First Missionary Journey Acts 14:1-28
14:1 And it came to
pass in Iconium, that they went both together into
the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great
multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up
the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. 3 Long time therefore abode they
speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace,
and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the multitude of the city was
divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. 5 And
when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with
their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them, 6 They
were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and
unto the region that lieth round about: 7 And
there they preached the gospel.
A. Message
of God’s Grace
1.
Synagogue at Iconium (Vs1)
Barnabas and
Paul, having now arrived into Iconium, enter the
synagogue of the Jews and speak the gospel unto all in attendance. When Paul would
preach, he would share the entire gospel “not with enticing words of man’s
wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of the power of God” (1 Cor 2:4). As the two
men shared the whole counsel of God, a great multitude of both Jews and
Gentiles believed.
2.
Stirred Up (Vs 2)
Yet, in a crowd so vast, there were
many that did not believe the preaching of Barnabas and Paul. The unbelieving
Jews stirred up the Gentiles and worked strong opposition toward the Gentiles.
Those Jewish unbelievers hated the Gentiles and are very upset that the
Gentiles are even allowed to receive the gospel of the grace of God.
3.
Saving Grace (Vs3)
Because of this opposition from the
unbelieving Jews, Barnabas and Paul abode even longer amongst the people,
preaching boldly the grace of God and God worked wonders and granted signs to
be done by Barnabas and Paul before the people.
4.
Separation (Vs 4)
They preached
and many believed, yet there were many that did not. So great was this
movement, that the people were divided between the unbelieving Jews and those
who believed the apostles message. Jesus told us that His gospel would cause
division. “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on
earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division” (according
to Luke 12:51).
5.
Stoning (Vs 5)
So great was the division that there was an
assault, an attack and talk of stoning. Obviously there was great hostility
towards the gospel and there is hostility today friend.
6.
Spot (Vs 6,7)
As a tumult and uproar begins to
take place, Barnabas and Paul know that they must move from the synagogue at Iconium to a new location as they feel there are being
driven out of Iconium. I do not think these two men
began the riot, rather I believe the unbelievers started the aggression..
8 And there sat a
certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a
cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: 9 The
same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him,
and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
10 Said with a loud voice, Stand
upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.
11 And when the people saw what
Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of
men. 12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and
Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief
speaker. 13 Then the priest of Jupiter, which was
before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have
done sacrifice with the people. 4 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and
Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying
out, 15
And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like
passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities
unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things
that are therein: 16 Who in times past suffered all nations to
walk in their own ways. 17 Nevertheless he
left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from
heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. 18 And with these sayings scarce
restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.
B. The
Manifestation of God’s Power
1. Lame at
Lystra (Vs 8,9)
Barnabas and
Paul move on to the cities of Lystra and Debre of the region of Lycaonia.
When they get there they notice a lame man, who was a cripple from his mothers womb. Therefore this man had never had the pleasure
of walking and was helpless. Paul began to speak to him and share the gospel
message. As he did, Paul noticed that the man heard the message and seemed to
have faith in the message “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the
Word of God” (Rom 10:17).
2. Leaping
(Vs10)
Paul said to the lame man that had
heard the gospel and believed “Stand upright on thy feet” and the
man leaped and walked! How
miraculous, a man believed the message that Jesus saves and then he that had
never walked physically is healed.
3.
Lycaonians (Vs 11-18)
The people saw this great miracle of
a cripple that was healed and is able to walk, but they did not seem to
understand the message of salvation. The people cry out that “the gods are come
down to us in the likeness of men” and they call Barnabas, “Jupiter” and they
call Paul, “Mercurius”, because he was the chief speaker.
Immediately the priest of Jupiter
begins to offer a sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas. When Paul and Barnabas heard this news, they
rent their own clothes and ran amongst the people and stopped this sacrifice
and the worship of men by proclaiming that this miracle is not done by men, but
by God.
Paul and Barnabas’ message of God to
the people of Lycaonia, barely stop the mob from
offering sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas.
19
And there came
thither certain Jews from
20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round
about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed
with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 And
when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they
returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium,
and Antioch, 22 Confirming the souls of
the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must
through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had ordained them elders
in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord,
on whom they believed. 24 And after they had
passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had
preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: 26 And thence sailed to
C. Mission
of God’s Word
1. Stoning
(Vs
19)
The unbelieving
Jews, from
2.
Standing (Vs 20)
The other
disciples stand around Paul and know he is hurt bad and almost dead. (I wonder
if it was here that Paul spoke of in 2 Cor 12:1-4,
when he was called up into paradise, as he was almost dead of this stoning).
Yet, somehow, Paul himself got up
after this stoning and went back into the city where he had just been hurt.
Then the next day he and Barnabas depart to Derbe.
3. Sharing
(Vs
21-28)
Paul and Barnabas preach in the city
of
Please remember, that even though
there were many unbeliever that caused much
persecution, there were many that believed. In each of these cities Paul and
Barnabas exhort the believers to continue in the faith of Jesus Christ and
strengthen them for the sufferings they may endure for their faith.
Paul and Barnabas ordain elders in
every church that was started in each city and prayed with fasting over each
one. Then they return back to Perga and preached the
word there. Upon their departure from Perga, they
come to the city of
When they arrive back at