THE MINISTRY IN ICONIUM (14:1-7). Having been expelled unexpectedly from the Roman colony of Pisidian Antioch a decision had to be made as to which road to take. The Via Sebaste (Augustus Road) which went from Ephesus to the Euphrates passed through Pisidian Antioch coming from the west and became... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And it came about in Iconium that they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed.' Arriving in Iconium they went as usual to the synagogue and spoke so effectively from week to week that large numbers of both Jews and G... [ Continue Reading ]
‘But the Jews who were disobedient stirred up the souls of the Gentiles, and made them evilly disposed against the brethren.' But Iconium was a very democratic city with its own broad assembly which determined civic matters. Thus the Jews who were unresponsive (‘disobedient'), and even hostile, and... [ Continue Reading ]
‘For a long time therefore they tarried there speaking boldly in the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.' Meanwhile Paul and his party were able to continue on unafraid, encouraging the persecuted believers (‘the brethren') and no do... [ Continue Reading ]
‘But the multitude of the city was divided, and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.' The result of both sides seeking this kind of general support in the assembly was a gradually divided city, with part supporting the Jews, and part the Apostles. In the nature of their governing bo... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And when an onset was made both of the Gentiles and of the Jews with their rulers, to treat them shamefully and to stone them, they became aware of it, and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the region round about, and there they preached the Good News.' Eventually the Jews felt... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And at Lystra there sat a certain man, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother's womb, who had never walked, the same heard Paul speaking, who, fastening eyes on him, and seeing that he had faith to be made whole, said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he leaped up and wa... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MINISTRY AT LYSTRA (14:8-20A). A description is now given of the rather colourful events that occurred during their ministry in Lystra. These are on top of the fact that they proclaimed the Good News there (Acts 14:7). We do not know how long they had been there before the healing took place, a... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And when the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, “The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.” And they called Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.' Thus when they saw the miracle that had occurred,... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And the priest of Zeus whose temple was before the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the multitudes.' The priest of Zeus seized the opportunity presented, and responding to popular demand, brought oxen and garlands, either to the Temple outside the ga... [ Continue Reading ]
‘But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they rent their garments, and sprang forth among the large crowd, crying out and saying, “Sirs, why do you do these things?' Once Barnabas and Paul realised what was happening they instantly repudiated any such idea. Tearing their clothes in o... [ Continue Reading ]
These were not Jews. Nor were they people with a background in Judaism or philosophy. As they were revealing they were out and out idolaters and simple men. But Paul does not turn away from them. Rather he speaks to them in a way that they will understand. Of no use here is it to mention the past hi... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And with these sayings scarce did they restrain the large crowds from doing sacrifice to them.' Thus they sought to turn the people from their foolish path by facing them up to the truth about the living God, the Creator and Sustainer of heaven and earth (compare Colossians 1:15), thus indicating... [ Continue Reading ]
‘But there came there Jews from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the large crowds, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.' The impression given is that meanwhile these Jews from Pisidian Antioch and Iconium were already present, presumably having come... [ Continue Reading ]
‘But as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and entered into the city.' But as the grief-stricken believers gathered round his body, to their surprise Paul rose up and walked into the city, and was able to leave for Derbe the next day. There may be a hint here that it was to be seen as... [ Continue Reading ]
FURTHER MINISTRY AND FOLLOW UP AND BACK TO SYRIAN ANTIOCH (14:20B-28). Recognising that their continued presence in Lystra would not be for the good of the infant church, and that they must let passions be allowed to die down, Paul and Barnabas made for Derbe, sixty miles away.... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the Kingly Rule of God. Onc... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And when they had appointed for them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.' And when they arrived back in those unwelcoming cities that they had left in such haste, they appointed elders in every church, mature men whose fa... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And they passed through Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia. And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, and from there they sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled.'... [ Continue Reading ]