CHAPTER 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.
2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

When Paul and Baranabas left Antioch of Pisidia (See Acts 13:14), they went in a Southeastern direction, and came to Iconium.
Again, they first went to the synagogue and preached Jesus.
Many of the Jews believed and received the Good News of salvation through Christ.
Many "Greeks" also believed and received the Good News (Some of them may have first been Jewish proselytes).

But, as before, "the unbelieving Jews stirred up" the situation!
Anywhere the genuine truth of Jesus Christ is fervently preached, there will be conflict.
Man's greatest idol is SELF!
Most folk want to believe they are "all right" with god (their idol), and whatever manner in which they presume to make a god!
And EVERY human being has that desire to be in total control of their own lives, doing whatever they "feel" is right.

Therefore, when the genuine truth of sinful man facing a just God is preached, there will be conflict.

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.

But Paul and Barnabas KEPT ON preaching Jesus to those who would listen.
And, God "gave testimony unto the Word of His grace!"

God's Holy Spirit is ALWAYS present to bring conviction upon the hearers of the Gospel!
God's Holy Spirit ALWAYS gives testimony in man's heart that salvation through Jesus is TRUTH!

And, in those days, and sometimes in these days, God "granted signs and wonders to be done" by those who brought the Gospel news.
Now, lots of folk get "all wrapped up" in signs, wonders, and miracles.

My friends, it is a genuine "sign" and "wonder" when a sinner repents and receives Christ!
Anyone can SEE the difference in their lives!
Because, "...if any man be IN Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become NEW!"
(2Cor 5:17)

When a person gets on their knees, receives Christ - then they begin living HIS way!
And THAT is DIFFERENT!
It is a sign of God's intervention in man's life!
It is a wonder that a sinner can be saved and changed!
It is a miracle that ONLY GOD can perform in a person!!

And THAT is the "sign" and "wonder" we should be seeking as Christians!!

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.

I think many Christian miss a very important point in this Scripture.

The "conflict" was so great that EVERYONE in the city was talking about it!
I'm telling you, those who had been saved were SPREADING the news in an ANIMATED manner!
They were EXCITED about knowing they were forgiven, saved, and had citizenship in glory!

When we get saved, (and even after we're saved) we oughta be EXCITED about what Jesus has done!
He forgave my sin!
He presented me cleansed before Almighty God's throne!
He sealed me in His Spirit for ETERNITY!
His presence and word are with me every day!
He is soon coming to take me home where there'll be no sickness, sorrow, crying, dying -- because there'll be no SIN!
PRAISE GOD!
Shouldn't we be EXCITED?!!
In the words of one ole Bible preacher,
"We oughta be so filled with God's Holy Spirit, that if a mosquito bites us, he should be flying away singing:
"There's POWER In The BLOOD!""

This excitement became the central topic of conversation in the WHOLE city!
Finally, some of those who refused to believe devised an "assault" to "stone" Paul and Barnabas!

How excited about Jesus are the Christians in YOUR town?
Is it enough to create constant conversation?
Well, it OUGHT to be!

When a person hears the Gospel of Jesus, that person feels conviction because he/she knows he/she is guilty, condemned and without hope.
"There is NO PEACE, saith the LORD, unto the wicked!" (Isaiah 48:22)
That conviction is REAL because it is from the REAL Spirit of the only REAL GOD!

The only way a person can find genuine peace is to surrender to Jesus!
No surrender, no peace!
Know Jesus, Know peace!

And, if a person doesn't surrender to Jesus and find peace, they'll find a way to cause CONFLICT!
So, my Christian friend....if you are truly living and talking about Jesus....there WILL BE conflict!
BE READY!
And, if talking to one makes conflict -- go to ANOTHER! (See Luke 9:5)

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.

Leaving Iconium and entering Lystra, Paul and Baranabas encountered a man who had been a cripple all his life.
At first, they did not approach the man.

FIRST, they preached the Gospel of Christ!

Then, as they were preaching, Paul could see the crippled man believing in Christ.
Therefore, Paul was led by God's Spirit to call unto the man saying, "Stand upright on thy feet."
The man DID!
And, THAT'S when the trouble started!!

Listen, the "gifts" of God's Holy Spirit are so many we cannot express them all.
But let us remember, the "gifts" of God's Holy Spirit may not be TO ALL, but are FOR ALL!
(See 1Corinthians 12:4-7)

God does not always "administer" those gifts through the same persons; but,
He has choosen the church body for the "ministry" of those gifts.

Far too many have "gone astray" today, much as the people did in Lyacaonia.

The "gifts" come from the Lord!
Sometimes, those gifts are used in miraculous manner.
That doesn't necessarily mean that the special instance will be repeated by the Lord through the same person!
(See 1Corinthians 12:8-11)

Too many people make false idols of Christians because of one special instance!
Paul and Barnabas exhibited abhorrence at such actions (see vs 14 above)!
And they reasoned with the people that Christians are only human beings, with no special powers.
The power is of GOD; and sometimes exhibited through people!

Therefore, let us worship GOD, and not make idols of people!
(See 1Corinthians 9:12)

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.

Some of the Jewish non-believers from Antioch and Iconium followed Paul and Barnabas.
They incited a riotous mob which stoned Paul and drug him out of the city - leaving him for dead.

But some of the disciples "stood round about him."
Perhaps they were lamenting and praying.
God raised Paul up, and he went back into the city.
The next day,Paul and Barnabas left for Derbe.

God equips His servants with an unquenchable desire to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
God also protects and provides for His servants while they are spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Remember, God will never lead to TO IT unless He can lead you THROUGH it!

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.

After having preached in Derbe, Paul and Barnabas departed toward Antioch of Syria (from which they had begun their journey).
On the way, they stopped in Lystra and Iconium (where they had already preached), and confirmed the disciples there.

The Greek word from which "confirming" is translated is episterizo, which means to strengthen, encourage, or support further.
Paul & Barnabas were not confirming the salvation of the disciples, they were encouraging them in the growth of their discipleship.

They were also "exhorting" (Gk. parakaleo), or comforting and encouraging them to "continue in the faith."
And, they reminded them that salvation is faced with "much tribulation" from the world.

My friends, you may face many difficulties in this life.
But the faith of Christ will always strengthen and encourage you to go forward in your journey!
(See 2Peter 3:18)

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.

Here, there is an interesting word used: ordained.
It is translated from the Greek word cheirotoneo which means hand-reacher, or voter.
Probably Paul and Barnabas presided over the assembly of the church to vote for and choose elders.

Interestingly, the word "ordain" is used similarly in our churches today.
A person is selected by the body of the church to be elected (chosen) for a specific task (IE elder, pastor, deacon, etc.).
Then the assembly votes concerning the election.

Both before the choosing, and afterward, Paul and Barnabas led the people in "prayed(r) and fasting."
It is with concerted and earnest prayer that we must seek leaders in the church!

After the choosing, voting and ordaining, the men were "commended ... to the Lord, on Whom they believed."
In other words they were exhorted to trust in the Lord and to act according to His spiritual guidance.
Both the PEOPLE and the NEW LEADERS believed God had led them to this action.

They might have been inexperienced - but God equips those whom He calls!

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:
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.

Still on their journey back to Antioch of Syria, Paul and Barnabas traveled through the area of Pisidia and came to the area of Pamphylia.
There they stopped in Perga and Attalia, preaching the Word of Christ.
Then they sailed to Antioch from which they had begun their journey.

After they returned, they "gathered the church together," and told all that had happened to them.
They also told the church that God had "opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles."

On this first journey of missionary work, Paul and Barnabas had seen many miraculous works of God.
They were very careful to give HIM all the praise! (See vs 27)

They "abode long time" there in Antioch with the church.

It is assumed that they, or at least Paul, continued traveling in missionary work for Christ, based in Antioch for several years.
Paul mentions in Romans 15:19 that he had preached from Jerusalem to Illyricum.
Illyricum was the farthest outreach NW in Macedonia, near the Adriatic Sea.

Paul also mentions many difficulties he faced in 2Corinthians 11:23-27, which are not mention in his travels recorded here in the book of Acts.

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.
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