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Summary

Acts 14:1–7 – Ministry in Iconium

What happens:
Paul and Barnabas preach the gospel in the synagogue at Iconium, and a large number of Jews and Gentiles believe. But some unbelieving Jews stir up the Gentiles and poison their minds against the brothers. They remain for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirms the message of his grace by enabling signs and wonders through their hands. When the people of the city become divided, and both Gentiles and Jews attempt to mistreat and stone them, they learn of the plot and flee to Lystra and Derbe, towns of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region, continuing to preach the good news.

What it means:
The gospel brings both acceptance and opposition. God sustains and empowers his messengers in hostile environments, using persecution to spread his word into new areas.


Acts 14:8–18 – Healing at Lystra

What happens:
In Lystra, Paul heals a man lame from birth by commanding him in the name of Jesus Christ to stand up. The crowd, witnessing the miracle, declares Barnabas “Zeus” and Paul “Hermes” and brings sacrifices to them. When the apostles tear their robes to restrain the people, they shout that they are mere humans bringing the good news of the living God, who made heaven and earth and gives all things life. They proclaim that God’s kindness leads people to repentance.

What it means:
Miracles point beyond themselves to the Creator’s power and character. The church’s true worship is directed to God alone, and his kindness invites response of repentance rather than idolatry.


Acts 14:19–28 – Return and Strengthening of the Churches

What happens:
Some Jews from Antioch and Iconium persuade the crowds in Lystra to stone Paul, who is dragged out of the city, left for dead, but survives. Paul returns to Lystra, then to Derbe, and, along with Barnabas, strengthens the disciples, encouraging them to remain in the faith despite persecution. They appoint elders in each church, with prayer and fasting entrusting them to the Lord. Then they return to Antioch in Syria, reporting all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

What it means:
Growth often follows suffering. Shepherding new believers requires intentional leadership development and mutual encouragement. Reporting God’s faithfulness strengthens the wider community and confirms the gospel’s expansion.


Application

  • Encourage one another to remain steadfast in faith when opposition arises
  • Direct all praise and glory to God, guarding against tendencies to idolize leaders or gifts
  • Pray for and appoint qualified leaders to nurture and protect growing communities
  • Share testimonies of God’s work to inspire faith and mobilize further witness
  • Trust that God’s kindness and power open hearts to the gospel, even through trials

Bible

1And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.

2But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

3Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

4But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

5And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,

6They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:

7And there they preached the gospel.

8And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:

9The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,

10Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.

11And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.

12And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.

13Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.

14Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,

15And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

16Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.

17Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

18And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.

19And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

20Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

21And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,

22Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

23And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

24And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.

25And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:

26And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.

27And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

28And there they abode long time with the disciples.

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