Introduction: Acts 14 records several events during the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas. Some of these events are almost hard to believe but they happened! Once they reached a stopping point, they retraced their steps and returned to Antioch of Syria, reporting all that the Lord had done where they had been.
1 The ministry in Iconium
Text: Acts 14:1-7, KJV: 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.
Thoughts:
--Iconium was several miles east of Pisisdian Antioch but still in what seems to be a desolate place, according to maps or atlases of the area.
--As in Pisidian Antioch, there was at least one synagogue of the Jews (Luke only mentions one). Paul and Barnabas went there first.
--Luke doesn’t mention how long Paul and Barnabas stayed in Iconium but they were there long enough that “a great multitude” of Jews and Gentiles alike believed the Gospel.
--With the Lord’s help, Paul and Barnabas performed “signs and wonders” but Luke does not provide any further information. A study of “signs and wonders” in these early days of the Church might be helpful.
--Part of the city’s population “held with the Jews” and the other half, “with the apostles”. This tension, for lack of a better word, eventually led both of these groups to attempt to stone Paul and Barnabas to death.
--Blessings to those who got word of this assault to Paul and Barnabas so they could get away from Iconium. Paul and Barnabas made their way to Lystra and Derbe, “cities of Lycaonia” as Luke reports. Once Paul and Barnabas arrived in these new cities, they preached the Gospel.
-- Compare this with the first generation of missionaries in Acts 11, who fled Jerusalem and as they went to various places, they preached the Gospel too.
2 The ministry at Lystra
A The miracle
Text, Acts 14:8-10, KJV: 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.
Thoughts:
--“Impotent in his feet” is coupled with “being a cripple from his mother’s womb”. This man had never walked. Luke doesn’t give a further description of the man’s condition. Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth became crippled when his nurse dropped him as they fled for their lives (2 Samuel 4:4) but that implies he could have walked normally before. Other words for people with similar handicaps include “halt” and “maimed (Luke 14:13 and 21, e.g.)”
--Paul made eye contact with the man and realized (perceived) the man had faith to be healed. Luke didn’t provide any details as to how Paul knew this one man (there is no record of anyone else).displayed enough faith to be healed. A similar situation took place in John 5 when there were many people with physical problems at the Pool of Siloam waiting for the waters to move. Jesus spoke to one man, and apparently only one man, at the time, providing healing for him.
--Paul spoke with a loud voice, telling the man to “Stand upright on your feet!” The man leaped and walked, much like the lame man of Acts 3 and 4, who also was lame from birth but walked, leaped, and praised the Lord (Acts 3:8-10). The difference was this: in Acts 3, Peter reached down and grabbed the man by the hand; here, there was no physical contact, only a verbal command by Paul.
B The misunderstanding
Text, Acts 14:11- 18, KJV: 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. 14 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.
Thoughts:
--The people saw the miracle which Paul had performed, basically healing a man who was lame from birth so that the man could walk and leap! This many imply that there was a crowd of people who had been listening and watching during this time.
--Even though some had believed the Gospel, others did not, and must have thought this miracle happened through the power of the pagan deities they worshiped. Their comment that the “gods” had come down “in the likeness of men” had a basis in any number of sources. Some books on mythology, such as Bulfinch’s and Edith Hamilton’s works, list various times when the “gods” from Olympus would come to earth and interact with humans. The results, shall we say, varied.
--The people began speaking in their native language, claiming Barnabas was “Jupiter (Latin form of the Greek word “Zeus”)” and Paul was “Mercurius (Latin for “Mercury” or the Greek “Hermes”). Zeus was the chief “god” of the Greeks but didn’t have a good relationship with his wife, and applying that label to Barnabas may not have been a good thing!
--Hermes was the Greek god of oratory, merchants, thieves (quite a combination!) and possibly other things. One source, many years ago, explained that “Hermes (quite possibly a demon spirit impersonating something else)” brought messages to people from “the gods” and explained things to them. At any rate, the people witnessed a miracle but worshiped the wrong God.
--When Paul and Barnabas saw the people and priest of Zeus bringing oxen and garlands in order to make a sacrifice to them, they wanted nothing to do with it! They even tore their clothes and tried to explain to the people, “You’re making a terrible mistake!” Verses15-18 have more of the words of Paul and Barnabas, as they tried to prevent the audience from sacrificing to them.
--This stopped the misunderstanding for a time, but even worse, humanly speaking, would soon be in store for Paul, especially.
C The mistreatment
Text, Acts 14:19-20, KJV: 19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. 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.
Thoughts:
--There were Jews from Antioch and Iconium, where Paul and Barnabas had begun their ministry in Asia Minor, who came to Lystra. This at least shows the length that those who hate the Gospel, as well as those who preach the Gospel, will go in order to do them harm.
--Word must have traveled fast for these unbelieving Jews to reach Lystra. There are only two possible explanations: either someone was sending good news in order to rejoice, or there was a spy who didn’t want Paul and Barnabas to succeed. Those who hinder others from hearing or encountering the Gospel have the blood of untold numbers of people on their hands.
--These unbelieving Jews “persuaded the people”, much as they had done in Pisidian Antioch and in Iconium, to cause Paul and Barnabas harm. This time, they succeeded—partially.
--There was a crowd, most likely led by the unbelieving Jews, who led the way in attempting to stone Paul to death. Nothing is mentioned about Barnabas or anything he faced.
--Thinking Paul was dead, some unknown people drew his body out of the city. Compare this with the execution of Stephen at an earlier time. Paul, then Saul of Tarsus, had approved of this and even stood by the clothes of them who stoned Stephen to death. Once that was done, some “devout” men carried Stephen’s body away for burial (Acts 7:54-8:3). Paul didn’t even have that courtesy: his body was hauled out of the city, with no mention of even a burial.
--But there were some disciples standing around Paul, probably lamenting his death, yet they were in for the surprise of their lives when Paul rose up! Some think Paul had this experience in mind when he related an experience of a man in Christ who saw the third heaven and heard things couldn’t be uttered (2 Corinthians 12:1-5). Was it Paul? Only he and God know for sure.
--And Paul wasn’t done with that city! He walked back into the city but we are not told what he did. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he went to where the people who had stoned him were gathered together and gave them a first century rendition of “I’m baaaaaaack!”
--Realizing their ministry in Lystra was done, at least for the time, Paul and Barnabas went to Derbe, a city several miles away from Lystra.
3 The ministry of follow-up
Text, Acts 14:21-28, KJV: 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 Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. 27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. 28 And there they abode long time with the disciples.
Thoughts:
--Paul and Barnabas knew how important it would be to encourage these new believers to “continue in the faith”, much as they had done in Antioch before (Acts 11:19-26).
--One of the new topics for these new believers was persecution. Paul and Barnabas reminded the new believers that “through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Luke does not relate how much, if anything, of what Paul, especially, had endured.
--Paul and Barnabas didn’t leave these new believers without leadership. They ordained elders (this was new, there is no record they did this in Antioch) in every church. One of the most important things they did, besides pray and fast, was to commend “them” to the Lord. Paul would do the same thing, years later, at Miletus when he commanded the elders of Ephesus to God and the word of His grace (Acts 20:17-38).
--These two retraced their steps and made their way back to Antioch in Syria. There, they described (“rehearsed”, KJV) all that God had done, especially with the Gentiles.
--Luke says they “abode (for a) long time with the disciples” in verse 28. That’s true, but they weren’t going to stay there for long. More work was on the way for them to do!
Scripture quotations taken from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV).
