“Mistaken Identity”
Acts 14:5-7, 8-18
While I was at a preachers meeting last week another preacher came to me and asked me where I lived.
He told me that he knew a pastor in Florida that could pass as my twin.
I don’t know if that was meant to be good or not.
We took a picture of us together so he could show the other man “his brother from another mother.”
That would be a “Mistaken Identity.”
Paul and Barnabas were involved in another mistaken identity of sorts, when they were thought to be something that they were not.
Let’s join Paul and Barnabas as they arrive in Lystra and they are walking through the streets.
I. A Great Touch
Acts 14:8-10 “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.”
As we see the interaction from this lame man, I see that lame man heard Paul speak.
This would be akin to preaching, but perhaps is an informal gathering.
Paul could have been speaking about any subject, but my thought is that the lame man understood that Paul was used by God.
How do I know that?
Paul – “stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed”
Stedfastly beholding him - Fixing his eyes intently on him
Perceiving - Paul’s observation of this man and his reaction spoke to Paul that this man was not only listening but had a desire and faith that he too could be healed if that was the Lord’s will.
Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. - God does not hide and perform miracles in secret.
A simple truth; Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ and the Power that was given to him.
If we are to be used by the Lord we too must be willing to speak boldly, without shame, of the Lord Jesus Christ.
And he leaped and walked. - To jump up, to spring up,
He had been a cripple from birth; I can only imagine that his legs had NO muscle structure because they were never used, yet He leaped up and walked.
There was a change in this man’s life, not because of Paul, because of the power of God.
Salvation will bring a change in your life and if there is no walk then there was no healing unto salvation.
II. A Great Tragedy
Acts 14:11-13 “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. 13Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.
Barnabas, Jupiter = Jupiter or Zeus "a father of helps"
The national god of the Greeks (Zeus) and corresponds to the Roman Jupiter
Jupiter was the most powerful of all the gods of the ancients. He was represented as the son of Saturn and the worship of Jupiter was almost universal.
Paul, Mercurius or Hermes = "herald of the gods"
a Greek deity (Hermes) called by the Romans Mercurius (Mercury)
Mercury, he was the chief speaker; Mercury was the god of eloquence, and the messenger of the gods, and the interpreter of their will; Paul being chiefly concerned in preaching and speaking to the people, they called him by the name of this God.
The Jews had a doctor in their schools, which they called “The chief of the speakers"
What a dilemma in the life of Paul and Barnabas.
Let’s find how they reacted to the news of themselves becoming or announced as deity.
III. A Great Testimony
Acts 14:14-17 “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.”
They rent their clothes - This is an expression of grief and disapproval of the actions taken.
And ran in among the people, crying out - in great haste, showing great concern of mind, and much disapproval and resentment, at what they were about to do.
The message was clear but the people were not listening.
“We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God” - We came not to be worshiped but to show you the true God that deserves to be worshiped.
What you worship not is empty and of no value!
But Christ has come that you might believe.
IV. A Great Timing
Acts 14:18 “And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.”
scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them; - they were so determined that they refused to listen to truth.
It reminds me of a statement, “Don’t confuse me with the facts because my mind is already made up.”
We are in a place and time that many will say, “that may be your truth, but that is not my truth.”
There is only one truth and that is Christ
Paul said in Colossians 1:25-29 “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.”
Conclusion:
As a believer we must be ever watchful of our actions and be ready always to stand up for truth.
Do you know truth?
John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
