Acts 14:19-28

Recap/Review: (include the missionary map)

We are picking back up where we left off in the first missionary journey. It started in Acts 13, when the Holy Spirit told the church in Antioch to set Paul and Barnabas apart to be missionaries. They took John Mark with them and sailed to the island of Cyrus. There they preached in the cities of Salamis and Paphos where they did encounter some difficulty and persecution but some still believed. Most notably, he governor of Cyprus trusted in Christ. After preaching all over Cyprus, Paul and Barnabas left the island and sailed north into the region of Pamphylia. Mark, however, left of not so good terms and sailed south back to Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas continued North from the city of Perga, going into the region of Galatia and coming to the city of Antioch in Galatia (Not the same Antioch in Syria where the journey started). Before they left that Antioch in Galatia, we are told, “the word of God spread throughout the region”, and at the same time, they faced more persecution there. From Galatia’s Antioch, they went to another prominent city in Galatia called Iconium. In that city God worked in a mighty was and many Jews and Gentiles believed. They also faced their greatest persecution yet and left the city because there was a very real threat of death. Staying in Galatia, they went to the city of Derbe and Lystra. Last week we talked about Paul and Barnabas’ time in Lystra when they healed the man born lame and were mistakenly believed to be god themselves. Paul and Barnabas reasoned with them to help them see the truth...

Acts 14:18 (NASB)

18 Even saying these things, with difficulty they restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.

Acts 14:19–28 (NASB)

19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 20 But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” 23 When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. 24 They passed through Pisidia and came into Pamphylia. 25 When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed to Antioch, from which they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had accomplished. 27 When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they spent a long time with the disciples.

(v. 19-20) 19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 20 But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe.

2 Corinthians 11:25 (NASB)

25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked...

Acts 14:4–7 (ESV) [This happened in Iconium…]

4 But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 6 they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, 7 and there they continued to preach the gospel.

2 Corinthians 4:8–9 (NASB)

8 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

Acts 9:15–16 (NASB)

15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; 16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

Acts 7:57–8:3 (NASB)

57 But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one impulse. 58 When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” 60 Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep. 1 Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. 3 But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.

2 Timothy 3:10–12 (NASB)

10 Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! 12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

(v. 21-23) 21 After they had preached the gospel to that city [Derbe] and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” 23 When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Acts 14:1–6 (NASB)

1 In Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together, and spoke in such a manner that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks. 2 But the Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles and embittered them against the brethren. 3 Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands. 4 But the people of the city were divided; and some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. 5 And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers, to mistreat and to stone them, 6 they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region;

The method or process of discipleship:

Matthew 4:19 (NASB)

19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

(v. 21) They “…made disciples...”.

How? They “...preached the gospel...”! This is evangelism.

Acts 2:41 (NASB)

41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.

The Gospel is the message that makes a disciple.

(v. 22) They were “…strengthening the souls of disciples...” too.

They were making disciples by teaching, training and those that had recieved the gospel and were baptized.

(v. 22b) “...encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NASB)

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

James 1:2–4 (NASB)

2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

They used a method that matured a disciple.

(v. 23) “…appointed elders for them in every church...”

They appointed mature disciples in every church so that more new disciples would be made and those that were already disciples would have people to help them grow mature in the faith.

Titus 1:5 (NASB)

5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—

Before they left they put men in place to oversee the disciple making.

1 Timothy 3:1–7 (NASB)

1 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. 4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), 6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. 7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Titus 1:6–9 (NASB)

6 namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. 7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.

(v. 24-28) 24 They passed through Pisidia and came into Pamphylia. 25 When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed to Antioch, from which they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had accomplished. 27 When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they spent a long time with the disciples.

Acts 13:13–14 (NASB)

13 Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to Jerusalem. 14 But going on from Perga, they arrived at Pisidian Antioch, and on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down.

Acts 13:1–3 (NASB)

1 Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

Hebrews 10:23–25 (NASB)

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Bible Study Questions:

What does this Scripture teach us about God?

What does this Scripture teach us about man?

What does this Scripture teach us about the Lord?

Do you see any commands to obey or principles to apply?

Do you see any promises to claim or blessings to enjoy?

Do you see any truths to meditate on or Gospel messages to share?

Did anything else in the passage stick out to you?