Acts Chapter 14
Paul and Barnabas preached a gospel message in the synagogue in Iconium and there were many Jews and Greeks that believed. But there were some unbelieving Jews who caused problems by presenting religious rhetoric that only confused the Greeks. So Paul and Barnabas stayed for a long time to disciple these believers. They preached the Word boldly proclaiming the name of Jesus.
It goes without saying that whenever the gospel is going out boldly and is effectively changing the hearts of believers; the enemy will work overtime to destroy the weak, new believers and to cause division amongst all.
Let's Reflect
1. The work of satan was successful in the instance of Iconium. He caused a division amongst the people. Some sided with the Jews and some with Paul and Barnabas. What happened that caused Paul and Barnabas to leave Iconium?
2. In the next city, Lystra, Paul performed a miracle, healing a crippled man. How did the people respond to seeing this crippled man walking?
3. The reaction of the people greatly upset Paul and Barnabas. They boldly preached the gospel message. What did they present as evidence that God is real? See verse 17.
4. Remember those Jews that caused problems for Paul and Barnabas at Antioch and Iconium – they followed them to Lystra. What did these Jews do to destroy the work Paul and Barnabas started? And what did they do to Paul physically?
5. Some of the believers gathered around Paul and he was able to get up and able to go on with Barnabas to Derbe the next day. What happened in that city? See the first half of verse 21.
Paul would later write in Galations 6:17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. Paul wanted people to understand that he spoke the truth and his ministry deserved to be respected because he had the scars to prove it.
II Corinthians 11:24-25 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea
6. Not worrying about their own well being these two apostles returned to the cities where they had been persecuted. They went back to Lystra and Iconium. Why?
7. Eventually they made their way back to Antioch (the church’s “headquarters”), and they stayed quite a while. What did they tell the people in Antioch?
Devotionals
