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
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
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
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
However,
the orthodox Jews that had come from
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
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
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
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
Upon
arriving at