Acts 14:1-28 (2)

So last week, Tim covered chapter 13, where we saw how much transformation and growth the church has gone through. We saw the full transformation of Saul, who was initially hunting down Christians from town to town and then even door to door. We have seen him have this miraculous transformation and he is now going into the synagogues and preaching the word of Jesus. But remember that everything that he is doing is not being received well by the Jews, who he was once part of. So naturally, as we have seen in both the gospels and in the book of Acts, when the Jews have someone who is going to threaten their power, they try to kill them. We saw it with Jesus. He was constantly under the threat, and His of course came to light with his crucifixion on the cross. We also saw it with Stephen in Acts 7 which we studied a couple of months ago. And we have seen it in Saul’s conversion. After he accepts Jesus, he immediately preaches and the Jews want to kill him, so the disciples have to help him escape from Damascus. He then goes down to Jerusalem, where the same exact thing happens again. So they help him escape and they bring him down to Tarsus, his home. Then Saul disappears for a little while, but we see him get called by Barnabas to help the missions work in Antioch. We see Saul fully switch to the name of Paul and we see the followers of Christ clearly identified, especially in the church in Antioch, where Paul and Barnabas are doing so much of their work. As chapter 13 wrapped up, we see that many people are coming to Christ, but there is a lot of conflict over it. Paul and Barnabas are expelled out of the city by the Jews and they do what God has commanded them to do. They pick themselves up and continue to do the work of the Lord. So they keep moving and they are going to arrive at Iconium and some other cities here in chapter 14. I have a map here that shows where all of these cities are. You can see that all of the focus of chapter 13 and 14 is going to focus on Paul and Barnabas’ work in Galatia. Paul would later write an extremely powerful letter to the church leaders there. One of the things that I want you to focus on is the confidence that Paul and Barnabas have here. They are constantly met with opposition, yet they will continuously push forward and continue to do what has been set upon them. Remember that Jesus told them that there would be persecution and opposition. Luke 21:12-19- “But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But not a hair on your head shall be lost. By your patience possess your souls.” Jesus gave the disciples the knowledge of what will happen when they start speaking in His name.

Acts 14:1–28 (NKJV)

1 Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. 3 Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

4 But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles. 5 And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, 6 they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region. 7 And they were preaching the gospel there.

8 And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. 9 This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10 said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked. 11 Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.

14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out 15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, 16 who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” 18 And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.

19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 20 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went 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 made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” 23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. 24 And after they had passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 Now when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed.

27 Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 So they stayed there a long time with the disciples.