Acts Chapter Fourteen

 Act 14:1  And it happened in Iconium, they went in together into the synagogue of the Jews, and spoke so as for a huge multitude of both Jews and Greeks to believe. 

Act 14:2  But the unbelieving Jews raised up and embittered the souls of the nations against the brothers. 

Act 14:3  Then, indeed, they stayed a considerable time, speaking boldly on the Lord, witnessing to the Word of His grace, and He giving miraculous signs and wonders to occur through their hands. 

Act 14:4  But the multitude of the city was divided; and some were with the Jews, but others with the apostles. 

Act 14:5  And when a rush of the nations occurred, and both the Jews and their rulers came to insult and to stone them, 

Act 14:6  perceiving this, they fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding country. 

Act 14:7  And they were announcing the gospel there. 

Act 14:8  And a certain man was sitting in Lystra, powerless in the feet, being lame from his mother's womb, who had never walked. 

Act 14:9  This one heard Paul speaking, who, looking intently at him, and seeing that he had faith to be cured, 

Act 14:10  he said with a loud voice, Stand upright on your feet! And he leaped up and walked about. 

Act 14:11  And seeing what Paul did, the crowd lifted up their voice in Lycaonian, saying, The gods have come down to us, becoming like men. 

Act 14:12  And they called Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the leader in speaking. 

Act 14:13  And the priest of Zeus being before their city, carrying bulls and garlands to the gates, he wished to sacrifice along with the crowds. 

Act 14:14  But Paul and Barnabas, the apostles, hearing, tearing their garments, they sprang into the crowd, crying out, 

Act 14:15  and saying, Men, why do you do these things? We also are men of like feelings to you, announcing the gospel to you to turn you from these vanities to the living God, who "made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all things in them," Ex. 20:11 

Act 14:16  who in the generations which have passed allowed all the nations to go in their own ways, 

Act 14:17  though indeed He did not leave Himself without witness, doing good, giving rain and fruitful seasons to us from heaven, filling our hearts with food and gladness. 

Act 14:18  And saying these things, they hardly stopped the crowds, that they not sacrifice to them. 

Act 14:19  But Jews came there from Antioch and Iconium, and persuading the crowds, and stoning Paul, they dragged him outside the city, supposing him to have died. 

Act 14:20  But the disciples surrounding him, arising he entered into the city. And on the morrow he went away with Barnabas to Derbe. 

Act 14:21  And having announced the gospel to that city, and having made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and Iconium and Antioch, 

Act 14:22  confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into the kingdom of God. 

Act 14:23  And having handpicked elders for them in every assembly, having prayed with fastings, they committed them to the Lord into whom they had believed. 

Act 14:24  And passing through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 

Act 14:25  And speaking the Word in Perga, they came down to Attalia, 

Act 14:26  and from there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. 

Act 14:27  And having arrived, and gathering the assembly, they reported what things God did with them and that He opened a door of faith to the nations. 

Act 14:28  And they remained there not a little time with the disciples. 

PERSISTENCE VERSUS OPPOSITION

Verses 1-7: Paul and Barnabas head to Iconium. They teach in the synagogue. They are convincing, but the Jews there are against them and foster considerable retaliation against them among the Gentiles. Paul and Barnabas leave. 

1. Who was in the synagogue with the Jews? This reads like there were Gentiles in the synagogue. It is likely that much of their teaching was on the synagogue premises but not actually inside. It does point out that the Gentiles there likely were of a proselyte condition. Their perception was that Paul was threatening that status.

2. How did the apostles “rely” (NASV) on the Lord? (3) "...speaking boldly on the Lord, witnessing to the Word of His grace, and He giving miraculous signs and wonders to occur through their hands."

Verses 8-18: Paul restores a lame man. He and Barnabas are taken to be gods and the priests come to sacrifice to them. They stop them, explaining that they are mere men like them, and they need to turn to the living God (Jehovah).

3. Describe the scene.  What we see here is superstition and belief in the mythological that has morphed into religion. When they see the work of the true God, they assign it to what they already believe, being ignorant of Jehovah. 

Additional: What does Paul say is the evidence of God in times past for these people? (17) "doing good, giving rain and fruitful seasons to us from heaven, filling our hearts with food and gladness."

Verses 19-20: Jews come looking for Paul. They drag him out of the city, stone him and leave him for dead. The disciples find Paul. He rests and leaves the next day to Derbe.

4. Where did these Jews come from to stone Paul? Why? Iconium and Antioch. These were souls devoted to the destruction of Paul. He was changing their belief system and they were not going to let it go. Paul is marked for death for them. They are willing to commit murder without a second thought.

Verses 21-28: Many converts are realized in Derbe. After that, they backtrack through the cities they had preached. They encouraged the brethren and handpicked elders. They return to Antioch.

5. After being stoned and left for dead, what did Paul do? He kept preaching, eventually returning to the place where he was assaulted.

6. What things must we do to gain courage like Paul? We sings a song "I Am Resolved." That is what we do. We become resolute with our faith and look for the opportunities to speak of our faith. We cannot concern ourselves with what others say about us or what they think.
Their salvation is greater that my worry.

Additional: (2, 3) Did you notice that even though much of the crowd became embittered that Paul and Barnabas resolved to stay longer, and even performed miracles? (See response to question six)

Describe the actions in verses 22/23. This was a building up of the body. Imagine the joy it was to return to a city and find the church was still there and hopefully thriving. This was not an easy road, not for Paul and not for the new Christians. There was no immediate reward for the suffering they had to endure for this gospel.