Acts, Chapter 14
© Copyright 2007 Darroll Evans, all rights reserved

 

Acts 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.

 

When Paul and Barnabas arrived in Iconium, they went into the local synagogue.  Their preaching caused many, both Jews and Greeks to believe in Christ Jesus.

 

Acts 14:2-5
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,

 

However, unbelieving Jews spoke against them and caused an upheaval (involving Gentiles) against Paul and Barnabas.

The two stayed in that city for some time. They spoke boldly concerning the Lord, witnessing to His grace, and giving miraculous signs and wonders.

 

For many, theoretical Christianity is all they know.  God has called Christians of every era to a life of demonstrated power in the Holy Spirit.

 

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

 

Those who preach do so from two sources of power. 

 

One is carnal power.  That type of power requires personal human charisma.  The result is strictly emotional.  Many come to Church to experience an emotional experience.

 

The second power is far greater.  It is the power of the Holy Spirit.  Such power requires no personal charisma, but in entirely Spirit-led and based!  The results are a change of destination from the Lake of Fire to the Kingdom of Christ.

 

The first type of “power” lifts up man and is carnal and emotional in nature.  The superior “power” lifts up Christ and is Spirit-filled preaching.  As I said, the second power is far greater.  The first type reflects the first Adam.  The second type reflects the last Adam.

 

1 Cor 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

 

Many in that city, Iconium, were of divided opinions. Some sided with the Jews, while others were with the Apostles. It came to a head when a mob of Gentiles attempted to stone them.

Acts 14:6-10
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.
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.

 

So, Paul and Barnabas fled to Lycaonia, Lystra, Derbe, and the surrounding country.  There, they proclaimed the gospel!

In Lystra, there was a man born lame. In fact, he had never walked. One day as Paul was preaching Christ, he (Paul) looked directly at that lame man, and saw that he had faith to be cured,


Then, Paul shouted, “Stand up!  Get up on your feet!”

 

At that command, the lame man jumped up and walked.

 

Acts 14:11-18
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.

 

Upon seeing what Paul did, the crowd shouted, “The gods have come down to us, and they look like men.”


They called Barnabas, Zeus, and they called Paul, Hermes, because Paul was the leader speaker. The pagan priest of Zeus in that city, came to them carrying bulls and garlands to the gates, he wanted to sacrifice them in honor of Paul and Barnabas.  However, Paul and Barnabas tore their garments as a sign of sorrow, and cried out, “Why have you all done this?”

 

They said, “We are just men like you!  We have come to proclaim the gospel and to turn you away from these false things and toward the Living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all things in them.

“It was He who, in the generations passed, allowed all the Gentiles to go in their own way. But, He did not leave Himself without witness.  He has given rain and good crops.  It is He who has filled us with both food and gladness.  At that the crowds were stopped offering the pagan sacrifices.”

Acts 14:19-22
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.
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
.

 

However, the orthodox Jews that had come from Antioch and Iconium influenced the crowds, and they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city. They assumed that he had died as a result of the stoning.


Then, the disciples surrounded him, raised him up, and he reentered the city.  The next morning, Paul and Barnabas went to Derbe.  After preaching Christ in Derbe, and making many converts to Christ Jesus, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch.


In those cities, they strengthening the souls of the disciples there, and exhorted them to continue in the faith.  They told them that it would be through many afflictions we must enter into the kingdom of God.

 

Did you read the last part of verse 22, where it says, “we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God”?

 

Now, do you believe that?

 

That cannot hold water for those of you who believe in a Pre-tribulation gathering of the saints! It is true only if the gathering of the saints is post-tribulation!

 

Acts 14:23-25
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:

 

Paul and Barnabas handpicked, and ordained the elders for the churches in that area.  They prayed and fasted, and committed them to the Lord. And, passing through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. After speaking the Word of the Lord in Perga, they went to Attalia.

 

Acts 14:26-28
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.

 

From Attalia, they traveled to Antioch in Syria. It was there that they had been committed to the grace of God for the work, which they had fulfilled.

Upon arriving at Antioch, they gathered the church, and reported what God did.  They told how He opened a doorway of faith for the Gentiles.  And, they remained there with the disciples for a time.

 

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