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.
- What happened in Iconium?
- What happened in Lystra and Derbe?
- Who were the people that opposed the missionaries?
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