AM May 31st Acts 14

May 31st  

Acts,  14

Paul and Barnabas in Iconium

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.

At Lystra

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. 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. 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.

Again Paul and Barnabas go to the Synagogue at Iconium. Their ministry was to the Jews first because of their Apostolic calling. Their preaching is so successful that a great crowd of people, Jews and Gentiles believe the Gospel. But the Jews that were unconverted stirred up the unbelieving Gentiles and poisoned their minds against Paul and Barnabas. So they stayed a long time giving their testimony and showing signs and wonders. The city was divided and the unbelievers assaulted Paul and Barnabas to stone them, but they were aware of it and so they escaped to Lystra and Derbe. At Lystra they healed a man crippled from birth (A messianic sign) but the People misunderstood who Paul and Barnabas were they thought they were the gods Jupiter and Mercurius. The high priest wanted to sacrifice to them and Paul had difficulty stopping it. Paul said that they should turn from this empty idol worship and serve the living God who made heaven and earth and sea. This God who left the nations alone in the past and who showed kindness in providing fruitful seasons and filling their lives with the good things such as food and joy. When Jews came from Antioch and Iconium they persuaded the people to stone them which they did and they threw out the body of Paul out of the city thinking he was dead. However, when the believers came to him he recovered and stood up and returned to the city and the next day he moved on to Derbe with Barnabas.