July 27, 2014
Morning Service

Acts 14

 

            Last week ( chapter 13 ) we left Peter, and John, and are now following Paul, Barnabas, and .  John Mark on their first missionary trip.   We saw Paul speak blindness to Elymas, the sorcerer.  This vindicating the authority of Paul.  Upon leaving Perga they arrive in Antioch of Pisidia.  We saw Paul’s first sermon.  Very similar to that of Peter’s, and Stephen’s.  Telling the Jews of their history, which they knew, then pointing them to the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world, Jesus of Nazareth, and how He fulfills the prophecies concerning the Messiah.  The Jews reject Paul’s message, and he tells them that it was necessary that they receive the message first, but since they reject it, he will now take it to the gentiles.  We take up with Paul, and Barnabas now in Iconium.

 

Chapter 14

 

Act 14:1-28  And 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.  (2)  But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. 

(3)  Long 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. 

·         Granted signs and wonders.  God is giving the people every chance to see that these men are speaking in all authority of God.

(4)  But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.  (5)  And 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,  (6)  They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:  (7)  And there they preached the gospel.  (8)  And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:  (9)  The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,  (10)  Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.  (11)  And 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.  (12)  And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.  (13)  Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.  (14)  Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,  (15)  And 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:  (16)  Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.  (17)  Nevertheless 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.  (18)  And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them. 

·         These types of examples teach us to recognize that we are all men of like passions.  There is no one any better than anyone else.  Yes, we have different callings in our lives, but we have nothing that wasn’t given to us by God.  We are not to worship, or idolize anyone because of their talent, or abilities.  We are all sinners saved by the grace of God.  Only He is worthy to be worshipped, and praised.

(19)  And 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. 

·         Another lesson on just how fickle man is.  Setting them up as gods, and now stoning Paul.

(20)  Howbeit, 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. 

 

(21)  And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,  (22)  Confirming 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. 

·         These young converts will be struggling to hold on to their new found faith.  They will be getting tried even by members of their own family, let alone the ones who rejected the message.

·         1Co 4:15  For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

·         Paul thought of these people in this manner.  They were his children through the gospel.   He no doubt strengthened their faith by pointing them to the scriptures that would build their faith that this Jesus was the Messiah.  Paul often used the old testament scriptures to confirm that Jesus fulfilled them all.  That Jesus was indeed the very Son of God.

·         Remember it was Paul that told Timothy, “2Ti 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”  So this tells me that the old testament is very valuable for Christians today.  Yes,  we must rightly divide the Word as we study.  We must recognize what is given to the Jews, and what has been given to all people.  Everyone is under the blood of the new testament covenant, but as you study you will find that the Jews are still keeping parts of the old testament law of moses, in which gentiles are not obligated to do.

·         As we study, we find that we are, as gentiles, not under any part of the old testament laws, but many old testament laws are used in the structure of the new testament.

Such as:  How to treat your neighbor, certain laws that pertain to life, and so forth.

·         And realizing that all the scripture they had was the old testament scriptures.  Soon Paul would be writing our new testament letters.

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

·         Ordained elders, these are older men that will lead, and guide the church.  We find later in Paul’s writings to Timothy, and Titus, that these men will fill the offices of Pastors, teachers, deacons.  They will strengthen, and encourage the younger Christians.

(24)  And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.  (25)  And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:  (26)  And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.  (27)  And 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.  (28)  And there they abode long time with the disciples.

·         Peter had actually opened the door to salvation for the gentiles in the 10^th chapter, at the household of Cornelius.  But this was part of the calling of the Apostle Paul.  Act 9:15  But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

·         And now they have returned to their home church to report on their trip.

 

Something of note is what is being done.  Paul and Barnabas have concluded their first of three missionary trips.  They are not forcing people to believe what they are saying, but are just speaking the gospel message.  Many lands are forced into a certain religion, but not Christianity.  It is a choice you make personally, when at an accountable age.