College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Acts 14:6-20
IN LYSTRA. Acts 14:6 b - Acts 14:20.
a.
General statement. Acts 14:6 b, Acts 14:7.
unto the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the region round about:
and there they preached the gospel.
Acts 14:6 b - Acts 14:7 In Acts 14:6 b - Acts 14:7 we have a general statement of the preaching of the gospel in the towns of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe. The suggestion is also made in Acts 14:6 b that the persons living near these cities heard the word from these faithful evangelists.
467.
What suggestion of extension is made in Acts 14:6 b?
b.
The healing of the lame man. Acts 14:8-10.
And at Lystra there sat a certain man, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked.
The same heard Paul speaking: who, fastening his eyes upon him, and seeing that he had faith to be made whole,
said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped up and walked.
Acts 14:8-10 In the Greco-Roman town of Lystra there apparently was no synagogue, for the account of the preaching suggests that Paul proclaimed the Word in the streets of the town. To be more exact as to the location of the preaching, we might say that the healing of the cripple seems to have occurred close to the city gates (cf. Acts 14:13) so that possibly the city gates afforded a place for the gathering of the populace.
It so happened that on one occasion of preaching a cripple was found in the audience who was destined to be the object of God's power. As he listened he came to have a great faith in what was being said. We might well ask, What was being said? We could reply from Paul's words to the man that he must have been listening to a message that created hope and faith in the possibility of his being made whole. So Paul, in his preaching of Jesus must have referred to some of the miracles that God had performed by the apostles-' hands on other similar occasions. Then it would seem, to make such a recital tangible, he looked over the crowd for a suitable candidate to further confirm his word. Upon seeing this impotent man sitting in rapt attention, he fastened his eyes upon him and noticing that he had faith to be made whole, said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. Now this would be no small task for the man had never walked from the day of his birth. Behold the power of God: He leaped up and walked. How like the record in the third chapter of this book.
c.
The multitudes worship them as gods. Acts 14:11-13.
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, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury, because he was the chief speaker.
And the priest of Jupiter whose temple was before the city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the multitudes.
468.
What difference is found in the preaching at Lystra and any other town?
469.
What caused the crippled man to have any hope of being made whole?
470.
Show the wonderful power of God in the healing of the lame man.
Acts 14:11-13 But how different was the response received than what was expected. Paul doubtless hoped that this multitude would react like the one at the Gate Beautiful; that this miracle performed would cause them to stand in awe and silence and give him a chance to bring a message concerning the God who wrought this act. But these were not devout Jews, but superstitious Gentiles. The persons of this province had been taught the Greek language. This was probably the language used by Paul in speaking to them. But these Gentiles were likewise earnest devotees of the Greek gods. As the lame man leaped to his feet there swept across the multitudes, like a wave on the surface of a lake, a low murmuring of astonishment, but the wave returned toward the speaker in a swelling babel of voices. None of this could be understood by Paul for they spoke in their native tonguethe speech of Lycaonia. These simple, rude folk must have an immediate explanation for this phenomenon. What is it? It could not be of man and yet these appeared to be men before them. The conclusion was that it was from the gods, but which gods? The only gods they knew were those of the Greeks, hence they began to fancy that they could see in the countenances of these two strangers a resemblance to two of these deities. Barnabas, as more dignified and reposeful in mien, suggested Zeus, the king of the gods; while Paul, as the -chief speaker-' was Hermes, the messenger of the gods.
The word of this strange conclusion was taken to the priest of the temple of Zeus or Jupiter, (or possibly he was among those who listened). The priest saw but one thing to do and that was to make preparations for a sacrifice to these deities in the guise of men. This servant of Jupiter soon had garlands and oxen ready. The oxen were led toward the city gates where Paul and Barnabas were doubtless the center of attraction. Since the expressions of worship to Paul and Barnabas were made in the native tongue of the Lycaonians, the apostles could not know in its entirety just what was transpiring.
471.
What was unexpected about the response of these people? Why?
472.
Explain in your own words the reaction of these folks to the miracle?
473.
Why call them Jupiter and Mercury?
474.
Why didn-'t Paul and Barnabas know immediately what was happening?
d.
The objection of Paul and Barnabas. Acts 14:14-18.
But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they rent their garments, and sprang forth among the multitude, crying out
and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good tidings, that ye should turn from these vain things unto a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is:
who in the generations gone by suffered all the nations to walk in their own ways.
And yet he left not himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.
And with these sayings scarce restrained they the multitudes from doing sacrifice unto them.
Acts 14:14-18 But when they finally did understand they immediately tore their garments in their deep concern over the matter, and even as they thus rent their garments they sprang forth or rushed into the midst of the multitude until they could approach the priest and his attendants and cry out: Sirs, why do ye these things? Paul then took advantage of the situation not only to dispel their false conception but also to deliver a message from the true God.
The first words of Paul's message were given to draw attention away from him and Barnabas that it might be directed toward the true object of worship. To tell these misguided folk that the ones whom they worshiped as deities were only men would have been useless unless it came from the men themselves.
The apostle spoke to these men of the true purpose for being among them. It was not to be worshiped, but to bring good tidings. The first thought of these good tidings was that men should turn from the worship of such vain speculations as these mythical Greek gods. In turning they were not asked to refuse these gods only because they were false, but that they might turn to the worship of the true God, the one and living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is. This attribute of Jehovah would show Him superior to any and all other gods, for none of them claimed this distinction. The words of verse sixteen are especially applicable to those present for Paul is saying in essence: In times past, i.e. before Christ came, Jehovah permitted all the nations to continue in their course of life, but now since Christ has come (whom Paul had just preached) you are to heed Him, Paul was saying: Previous to this time you might have acted in the fashion you are now acting and God would have suffered you, but it is now inexcusable. Paul pointed out that although the Lord permitted their course of life, it was not because He did not leave a witness of His everlasting power and divinity (cf. Romans 1:20). Paul calls attention to the fields of the Lycaonian peasants that had brought forth for many years a plentiful harvest. Paul is saying that they should have been caused to stop and consider this witness to the one who controlled such activity. When they rejoiced at the good crop, or when they profited thereby, they should have looked beyond these mere physical evidences back to the one great origin of such things.
Even with these plain words of repudiation and explanation the hands of the priests and the hearts of the mob were scarce restrained from carrying out their intention.
475.
How did Paul utilize the situation to an advantage?
476.
What was the purpose of Paul's first words?
477.
What was the twofold purpose in turning from the Greek gods?
478.
Explain Acts 14:16.
e.
Paul stoned. He is raised up. Acts 14:19-20 a.
But there came Jews thither from Antioch and Iconium: and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.
But as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and entered into the city:
Acts 14:19-20 a How fickle is public opinion! The same mob that was ready to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods one day was ready the next day, or a few days later, to cast stones at them as the representatives of the evil one.
The Jews from Antioch and Iconium stirred up the multitude; they doubtless persuaded these simple folk that Paul and Barnabas were in league with Satan. The mob had been somewhat embarrassed with the thwarting of the original plan and now they had a reasonable excuse to give vent to their feelings on these who would not accept their worship. The stoning that took place was probably led by the men of Lystra for had the Jews led the assault they would have been more deadly in their effort. Paul was knocked down and stunned. He was so broken and bruised of body that they took him to be dead. Someone roughly took hold of the crumpled form of the apostle and dragged him outside the city gates, there to lie in full view of the temple in which he could have been heralded as a god.
Timothy, Eunice, his mother, and Lois, his grandmother, were probably among those disciples who stood weeping as they looked sadly upon the bruised and broken body of the one who had brought them the Word of life. To the amazement of all Paul arose from this ordeal (it would seem with the assistance of God.) He slowly rose to his feet and with the aid of those around him returned to the city, possibly into the home of Timothy.
479.
What was the witness Jehovah had in Lystra?
480.
What thought do you suppose the Jews Used in stirring up these people?
481.
In what way was the stoning an act of vengeance on the part of those of Lycaonia?
482.
Who led them in the stoning? How do you know?
483.
Show in the stoning the wonderful testimony of the apostle's sincerity.
484.
Who were probably among the weeping discipleswhere did they stay overnight?