The Way - Day 038 (Acts 14)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
Acts 14
This rejection by the Jews did not stop Paul and Barnabas from preaching, so they journeyed to Iconium where they spoke in the synagogue about the Jews and Gentiles who had believed (14:1); but the unbelieving Jews were angered and deceived the minds of the Gentiles (14:2). Paul and Barnabas stayed in Iconium for a "long time, speaking boldly in the Lord...but the multitude of the city was divided: part with the Jews, and part with the apostles" (14:4). The multitude became so angry against Paul and Barnabas that they attempted to "abuse and stone them" but when they found out about the plot they fled to Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding region" (14:5-7).

In Lystra, Paul healed a man who had been crippled from birth (14:8-10) and when the people saw the miracle they began worshipping Paul and Barnabas as gods (Hermes and Zeus). Their reaction to this supernatural work was related to the some false beliefs in the city of Lystra. When Paul and Barnabas began to understand that they were being worshipped as gods, they were sorrowful and said, "We are also men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things [worship of false gods] to the living God..." (14:14-17). When the pagans at Lystra heard what the apostles were saying, they could "scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing them" (14:18).

About this time, the Jews from Antioch and Iconium found Paul and Barnabas in Lystra so they convinced the multitudes to stone Paul (14:19). Apparently, Paul's stoning was so bad that they thought he was dead, but when the disciples gathered around his badly beaten body, he rose up and went to Derbe in the power of the Holy Spirit (14:20). After preaching the gospel there, he returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch to strengthen those who had believed saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God" (14:21-22). They set elders in every church along the way to oversee the believers and continued into other cities to preach Christ (14:23-26). This would conclude Paul's first missionary journey.

Dear God, please empower those who are preaching Jesus Christ in places where their message may not be well received. Help them not to be discouraged, so that the gospel will continue to go forth to all nations!