THE SAME THING HAPPENED IN ICONIUM. Just as it had on the island of Cyprus and at Antioch. They went first to the Jewish synagogue and preached the Good News of God's act in Christ. Some Jews would believe, plus a number of the Gentiles who could be found in every synagogue. [Gentiles attended the s... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THE JEWS WHO WOULD NOT BELIEVE. Christ brings division (Matthew 10:34-36). Those who refuse to believe, hate and fight against the Good News (Acts 8:1-3; Acts 9:1-2). [But like Paul, some change.] Note the apostles stayed there a long time and turned many people to Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CROWD IN THE CITY WAS DIVIDED. Many believed, but many refused to believe. DECIDED TO MISTREAT THE APOSTLES. The Greek text implies _sudden action,_ such as raising a mob. THEY FLED TO LYSTRA AND DERBE. Cities close to Iconium. Early church history often speaks of Lystra as a center of Christian... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE WAS A MAN. Acts 14:3 shows us how many miracles were done to prove the Good News to be true. This one shows us something of the attitude and humility of the apostles. HE LISTENED TO PAUL'S WORDS. His friends might have brought him here. PAUL SAW THAT HE BELIEVED. Faith comes from hearing the m... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THE CROWDS SAW. The people of Lystra were heathen who believed in many _gods._ Their tradition said the _gods_ often came down in the form of men, and intervened in human affairs. Zeus. The chief of the _gods._ Barnabas must have been more impressive than Paul (_compare_ 2 Corinthians 10:10). H... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY TORE THEIR CLOTHES. This was a symbol of grief, anger, and horror. Compare Matthew 26:65. WE ARE JUST MEN. This shows their complete commitment to _truth_! They would not permit themselves to be worshiped. TO THE LIVING GOD. These other things are worthless. See Romans 1:25. IN THE PAST. Compar... [ Continue Reading ]
SOME JEWS CAME FROM ANTIOCH. Some think Paul's "thorn in the flesh" refers to these Jews. [compare Numbers 33:55_:_ Joshua 23:13; 2 Timothy 4:14-17.] The Lystrans, frustrated because they were not permitted to worship Paul and Barnabas, were easily turned against them. This is the first _injury_ Pau... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THEY WENT BACK TO LYSTRA. The Jewish leaders may have been "chasing after" Paul in other cities, so while they were away, he can return to strengthen the believers. We would expect him to "organize" the groups of believers by appointing church-leaders [elders] and church-helpers [deacons]. Comp... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY PREACHED THE MESSAGE M PERGA. They had not preached here when they landed from Paphos (Acts 13:13-14). ATTALIA. A seaport close to Perga. BACK TO ANTIOCH. The Antioch in Syria. See notes on Acts 13:1_. W. M. Ramsay_ thinks the first tour of missions began in 47 A.D., and ended in the Autumn of... [ Continue Reading ]