Imagine being in a bustling city, full of life and excitement, when suddenly, a man who has never walked leaps to his feet! This is the extraordinary moment in Acts 14 where the apostles Paul and Barnabas encounter both divine miracles and significant challenges on their mission.
The Reading: Acts 14
World English Bible1 In Iconium, they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed.
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2 But the disbelieving Jews stirred up and embittered the souls of the Gentiles against the brothers.
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3 Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
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4 But the multitude of the city was divided. Part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
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5 When some of both the Gentiles and the Jews, with their rulers, made a violent attempt to mistreat and stone them,
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6 they became aware of it, and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra, Derbe, and the surrounding region.
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7 There they preached the Good News.
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8 At Lystra a certain man sat, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked.
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9 He was listening to Paul speaking, who, fastening eyes on him, and seeing that he had faith to be made whole,
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10 said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet!” He leaped up and walked.
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11 When the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the language of Lycaonia, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”
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12 They called Barnabas “Jupiter”, and Paul “Mercury”, because he was the chief speaker.
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13 The priest of Jupiter, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and would have made a sacrifice along with the multitudes.
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14 But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their clothes, and sprang into the multitude, crying out,
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15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them;
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16 who in the generations gone by allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways.
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17 Yet he didn’t leave himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you rains from the sky and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”
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18 Even saying these things, they hardly stopped the multitudes from making a sacrifice to them.
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19 But some Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there, and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.
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20 But as the disciples stood around him, he rose up, and entered into the city. On the next day he went out with Barnabas to Derbe.
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21 When they had preached the Good News to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,
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22 confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into God’s Kingdom.
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23 When they had appointed elders for them in every assembly, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.
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24 They passed through Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia.
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25 When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.
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26 From there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled.
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27 When they had arrived, and had gathered the assembly together, they reported all the things that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith to the nations.
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28 They stayed there with the disciples for a long time.
What This Chapter Is Really Saying
The Mission Begins in Iconium
In Iconium, Paul and Barnabas head to the Jewish synagogue to share their message. Their words resonate, and many Jews and Greeks believe. However, not everyone is thrilled - some local Jews stir up trouble, causing a rift in the city. In the face of hostility, Paul and Barnabas boldly continue their preaching, supported by signs and wonders.
A Quick Escape
The tension escalates when a plan to mistreat them surfaces. Sensing danger, the apostles flee to the cities of Lycaonia, including Lystra and Derbe, where they continue to proclaim the Good News.
A Miracle in Lystra
In Lystra, Paul notices a man who has never walked. He recognizes the man's faith and commands him to stand. Miraculously, the man jumps up and walks! The locals are amazed and mistakenly believe Paul and Barnabas are gods, calling Barnabas "Jupiter" and Paul "Mercury". They even bring offerings to celebrate!
Resisting Idolatry
Upon hearing this, Paul and Barnabas are horrified. They rush into the crowd, insisting they are mere humans and urging the people to turn to the living God instead of these false idols. Despite their passionate pleas, the crowd struggles to understand and continues to idolize them.
A Sudden Turn
However, trouble brews as some Jews from Iconium and Antioch arrive and sway the crowd against the apostles. In a violent turn of events, they stone Paul and leave him for dead outside the city. But Paul isn't finished yet - miraculously, he gets back up and goes right back into the city.
Continuing the Journey
The next day, Paul and Barnabas head to Derbe, where they share their message and gain new disciples. They then return to the cities they had just visited, encouraging believers and appointing leaders in each church. They emphasize that entering God's Kingdom often comes through challenges and hardships. Their journey concludes in Antioch, where they share their experiences and celebrate how God has opened doors of faith for many.
Why It Matters
Perseverance in the Face of Opposition
Acts 14 teaches us about the importance of steadfastness. Paul and Barnabas faced incredible opposition, yet they continued to share their message. This reminds us that challenges often accompany our greatest missions, and perseverance is vital.
The Power of Faith
The healing of the crippled man shows the significance of faith - not just the faith of the healed but also the faith of those doing the ministry. It encourages us to notice and respond to faith when we see it, knowing that miracles can happen through believers' actions.
Avoiding Idolatry
The incident in Lystra serves as a warning against idolizing people or things instead of focusing on God. In our own lives, we must ensure that our worship and devotion are directed to the Creator, not to created things.
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The Journey Continues
As we wrap up Acts 14, we see how these early believers supported each other. The next chapter, Acts 15, will dive into a crucial meeting that addresses a significant debate among the disciples. Stay tuned to discover how the early church navigated these challenges together!
Coming Up Next: Acts 15
In Acts 15, the early church faces a crucial dilemma about the inclusion of Gentiles. The debate leads to an important council that will shape the future of Christianity. Don't miss the next part of this transformative journey!