Acts 14

Bedevil the Devil

Act 14

As Paul and Barnabas proclaimed the gospel, they selected cities situated along major Roman highways. From Pisidian Antioch they traveled eighty miles east to Iconium, which at that time was an influential city. Here Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time in preaching the Good News (v. 3). They stayed longer in Iconium than in any other place on this first missionary journey.[1]

It was a city so ancient that it claimed to be older than Damascus. In the dim past it had had a king called Nannacus and the phrase “since the days of Nannacus” was proverbial for “from the beginning of time.” [2]

“Iconium” is probably a Phrygian name, but a myth was invented to give it a Greek meaning. According to the myth, Prometheus and Athena recreated mankind in the area after a devastating flood by making images of people from the mud and breathing life into them. The Greek for “image” is eikōn (ikon in modern Gr.), hence the name Iconium. Ramsay called Iconium the Damascus of Asia Minor, for like Damascus it was blessed with abundant water, a genial climate, rich vegetation, and great prosperity (Cities of St. Paul, pp. 317–19). It was a place of beauty and a natural center of activity, as its survival into modern times as the thriving town of Konya shows.[3]

I. The Infiltration of the Devil’s Enemies; “they” Paul and Barnabas, (1a)

The Reality of the Devil

[It’s been said that] The man who denies the existence of the [devil] reveals the fact that [the doubter] has not been considered a worthy foe by the prince of darkness. The great evangelist, Charles Finney, realized this truth from [the] deep experience of his opposition. On one occasion, after he had been preaching on the subject, a man came to him, and said: “Mr. Finney, I don’t believe in the devil.” The preacher looked at him keenly for a moment, and [then] replied: “Don’t you now? Well, you really resist him for a while, and you’ll soon change your views.” [We are going to see here in the first few verses of Acts 14 that] the [devil] is not slow to accept the challenge that is thrown to him by a [faithful servant of the Lord].—Selected.

1 Now it happened in Iconium that they (speaking and acting as a team as was their custom) went together to the synagogue (of which some historians believe there was only one synagogue) of the Jews (one reason that they probably did this was because if they went to the Gentiles first, many synagogues wouldn’t let them into theirs afterwards),

II. The Success of the Devil’s Enemies; “Jews and Greeks believed,” (1b)

 and (the missionary team) so spoke (which doesn’t necessarily mean they spoke more powerfully or authoritatively than other times as they always did this, it probably means that they spoke effectively as they always did about the gospel—probably the same general message as in Antioch Pisidia) that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks (a large company of both groups) believed.

“They went together” [A team is always stronger than and individual – What made them strong are the same things that will make us strong.]

  • They served the same Lord.
  • They were called to the same field.
  • They bore the same message.
  • They loved each other as brothers in the Lord. Therefore, they wished to encourage and support each other as they fulfilled God’s call.
  • They knew that love was the primary witness to the world.

John 13:34–35 says – A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The same unified spirit should be true of all gospel believers. All God’s servants should be serving together, working together in His Spirit and for His cause.

Unity is no small matter – God addresses it in many passages: in 1 Corinthians 1:10 – Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Ephesians 4:3 – endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Philippians 1:27 – Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,

1 Peter 3:8 – Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; — Preacher’s Outline and Sermon Bible – Commentary – The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible – Acts.

III. The Devil Counterstrikes Against His Enemies; “stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds,” (2)

 2 But the unbelieving Jews (referring here to those in an obstinate state of being “fixed in disobedience,” The phrase means, It is those who not only wouldn’t believe, but they also wouldn’t agree to disagree as they) stirred up (got the attention of) the Gentiles and (then under the influence of and for the glory of their father, the devil) poisoned their minds (lit., “caused their minds to think evil” [they didn’t think on “worthy” things Phil. 4]) against the brethren (meaning not just against the ministry team, but the new converts as well.  It’s interesting that they couldn’t incite their fellow Jews against them at this point, as was the case in Antioch Pisidia).

No wonder Paul is inspired by God to write the words of verse 22.  “strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”

Ill.—Billy Sunday was told if he preached against alcohol he’d make people mad…they said, “it’s like rubbing the cat’s fur the wrong way!” He replied, “let the cat turn around!”

I love that!  I’m all for not being obnoxious or insensitive, but the truth “must” be preached in love.

IV. The Lord Decimates the Devil’s Counterattack; “speaking boldly in the Lord” and “granting signs and wonders,” (3)

 3 Therefore (God counters this time with the opposite affect that Satan desired as) they stayed there a long time (kings nor kingdoms,  nor Satan and his demons, can frustrate God’s will—in spite of opposition the missionary team continued), speaking boldly (freely, frankly and confidently—which is what we can all do if we do it as they did, which is) in the Lord (in the Lord’s power, authority and will, by His grace), who was (the Lord was) bearing witness (testifying through His servants) to the word (the truth) of His grace (His salvation through His work and provision, not by man’s work and earning), granting signs and wonders (miracles) to be done by their (the ministry teams) hands (verifying the message and messengers of the Lord).

Like James (who was martyred) and the ministry team that was driven out of Antioch Pisidia, and like Peter (who was freed) and now the ministry team that remains in Iconiam, God, for reasons only known to Himself, works things out according to His good will and wisdom.  Job 1:21b – The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”  You’ll never ever, figure God out…

John Polhill emphasizes this point another way: “Verse 3 is in deliberate tension with the preceding and emphasizes the power of the Christian witness and the divine enabling behind it. Even though there was strong resistance to the Christians (v. 2), still they were able to maintain their witness. The two apostles were not about to back down. They had the power of the Holy Spirit to speak “boldly” for the Lord (cf. 4:29–31). Far from being intimidated, they were inspired to even bolder witness.”[4]

The Real Question

A little boy came to his father looking much in earnest, and asked, “Father, is Satan bigger than I am?” “Yes, my boy,” said the father. “Is he bigger than you are, Father?” “Yes, my boy, he is bigger than your father,” The boy looked surprised but thought again, and asked, “Is he bigger than Jesus?” “No, my boy,” answered the father. “Jesus is bigger than he is.” The little fellow, as he turned away, said with a smile, “Then I’m not afraid of him.”—Sunday School Banner.

That’s Paul and Barnabas all the way and ought to be us!

Despite the persecution and evil feelings against their preaching, they continued ministering and witnessing for Christ. They did not…

•  withdraw or flee.

•  soften their preaching.

•  compromise their message.

•  seek to please the officials.

But [remember] the source of their boldness. They spoke boldly “in the Lord”; that is, they relied upon and trusted Him and His strength to bear them along, looking after their welfare. —Preacher’s Outline and Sermon Bible – Commentary – The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible – Acts.

Acts 4:29 – Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,

2 Timothy 1:7–8 – For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God.

V. The Devil Pulls Out All the Stops Against His Enemies; “a violent attempt,” (4, 5)

4 But (in spite of the Lord’s supernatural miracles and incredible grace) the multitude of the city was divided (not in their theology, but in their loyalties): part sided (were loyal regardless of the truth) with the Jews (who continued their vigil against the missions team—even in spite of the mounting and irrefutable evidence—spiritually dead, is dead, there is no response regardless of the stimuli, they are “fixed in disobedience!”), and part (were loyal because of the truth) with the apostles (the proclaimers of the truth). 5 And when a violent attempt (lit., “a rush” or “an assault”) was made by both the Gentiles and Jews (those “fixed in disobedience”),

The same word “violent” is used in a similar situation in Ephesus in Acts 19:29 – So the whole city was filled with confusion, and “RUSHED” into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions.

 5 And when a violent attempt (“an assault”) was made by both the Gentiles and Jews with their rulers (by the tenacity of the disbelieving Jews the “rulers” eventually got involved and the intention was), to abuse (to exercise violence, to use despitefully, shamefully) and stone them, (to death—Stoning by the Jews in this context would usually mean being executed for the crime of blasphemy against God)

Everlasting Watchfulness

The words in Luke 4:13 [describe for us the devil’s persistence:] “And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season,” should be carefully noted. They do not mean that after Satan tempts us, we are immune from his attacks for a little while. They do not mean that Satan will give us rest in order to recuperate for another siege of temptation. Nor do they mean that God will prevent Satan from tempting us for a time. The words, “he departed from him for a season,” literal­ly translated, are, “he stood off from him until a good opportunity should return” to continue the attack. When the Devil stops tempting us, it is only because he seeks [a better opportunity, and when that opportunity arises, he will jump on it without hesitation and without mercy].—Courtesy Moody Monthly.

F.B. Meyer says concerning the devil:

There is only one way by which the tempter can be met. He laughs at our good resolutions and ridicules the pledges with which we fortify ourselves. There is only One whom he fears; One who in the hour of greatest weakness conquered him; and who has been raised far above all principality and power, that He may [support] and deliver all frail and tempted souls. He conquered the prince of this world in the days of His flesh; and He is prepared to do as much again, in each of us, if only we will truly surrender ourselves to His gracious and mighty indwelling.—F. B. Meyer.

1 John 4:4 – You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

The words Luther penned so long ago are still just as true today:

And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God has willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo! his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.—Luther

VI. The Lord Foils the Devil Again; “they became aware of it,” (6a)

 6 they became aware of it (this plot to assault them,)

VII. he Devil Finds More of His Territory Threatened; as they left for the “cities of Lycaonia,” (6b, 7)

 6 they became aware of it and (assumedly led by the Holy Spirit not to stay this time, they) fled to Lystra (about 18 miles from Iconium) and Derbe (about 40 miles from Lystra), cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region.

Paul and Barnabas are following the counsel of Jesus’ words to His disciple in Matthew 10:23a – When they persecute you in this city, flee to another…

Paul made a profound impression during his stay at Iconium. That impression is reflected in the description of him preserved in the second-century Acts of Paul—a description so vigorous and unconventional that it must surely rest upon a good local tradition of what Paul looked like. One Onesiphorus, a resident in Iconium, sets out to meet Paul, who is on his way to the city. “And he saw Paul approaching, a man small in size, with meeting eyebrows, with a rather large nose, bald-headed, bowlegged, strongly built, full of grace, for at times he looked like a man, and at times he had the face of an angel” (F. F. Bruce, The Book of the Acts, The New International Commentary on the New Testament [Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1971], 288).[5]

One Response after Another

I. The Crippled Man’s Response to the Word, (8-10)

7 And they were (actively) preaching the gospel there (in those areas).

The cities of the region of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, to which Paul and  Barnabas fled, were quiet, provincial towns, well off the beaten path. Both were located in the Roman province of Galatia. Lystra was about eighteen  miles from Iconium and was the home of Lois, Eunice, and Timothy (Acts 16:1; 2 Tim. 1:5), who may have been saved during this visit by the  apostle. Derbe was forty miles southeast of Lystra. Since no synagogue is mentioned in Lystra, it probably had a very small Jewish population. That did not deter the missionaries, however, and they immediately proclaimed the gospel. From this effort in Lystra, Luke records three remarkable events: the healing of the man who had never walked, the bizarre incident of pagans worshiping the preachers, and the stoning of Paul.[6]

8 And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet (meaning his feet were useless—it was impossible for him to walk and thus he) was sitting, (he’s just there in the general area of Paul and Barnabas—of course we know it was not coincidence. – Dr. Luke gives several details of this man.  He was) a cripple from his mother’s womb, (this man is a cripple by divine design—He wasn’t a cripple as a result of an accident or disease) who had never walked (not one wobbly step.)

  • This is a man everyone in that town would know about.
  • There is no room for a scam here with what God is about to do.
  • This man was born a cripple for the glory of God.

John 9:2–3 – [Jesus’] disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.

Can you imagine such a reason for existing as that?!  Could you be happy/blessed/content in that state and for that purpose?!

  • How old is this man?
  • What kind of childhood did he have?
  • What kind of burden did this place on the family?
  • How has he dealt with such a life?
  • Did he have a trade?  (We are not told that he begged.)
  • How has he been looked at and treated because of his condition?  (Nothing notable is mentioned about him.)
  • Is it right for God to deal such with His creation for such a purpose?

Romans 9:20–21 (NIV) – Who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’ ”  21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) – I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Philippians 4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

 9 This man heard Paul speaking (this word for “speaking” can mean speaking to a group of people or just having a conversation with an individual—So this man may have been at an evangelistic meeting or he may have just overheard Paul’s conversation with someone). Paul, observing him intently (as the man was probably responding to the conversation/preaching in some significant way) and seeing (perceiving, believing) that he had faith to be healed (this can pertain to physical and\or spiritual healing), 10 said with a loud (authoritative) voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped (verifying his faith) and walked (in obedience to his faith).

II. The Crowd’s Response to the Crippled Man, (11-13)

 11 Now when the people saw what (they concluded) Paul had done, they raised their voices (in ignorance), saying in the Lycaonian language (a language it appears that Paul and Barnabas didn’t know), “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”

[Now] This strange and surprising turn of events had its roots in local folklore. There was a tradition in Lystra (recorded by the Roman poet Ovid, who died in a. d. 17) that the gods Zeus and Hermes once came to earth incognito. When they arrived at Lystra and asked for food and lodging, everyone refused them. Finally, an old peasant named Philemon and his wife, Baucis, took them in. Their inhospitable neighbors were drowned in a flood sent by the vengeful gods. Philemon and Baucis, however, saw their humble cottage turned into a magnificent temple, where they served as priest and priestess. After their deaths, they were turned into two stately trees.[7]

(Now back to verse 12) 12 And (possibly thinking they don’t want to make the same mistake twice and miss an opportunity) Barnabas they called Zeus (the head of the gods—which may say something about Barnabas’ stature), and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker (as Hermes was the messenger of the gods).

It was G. K. Chesterton who said, and rightly so, “When people stop believing in God, they do not believe in nothing. They believe in anything.”[8]

Zeus, called Jupiter by the Romans, was the supreme head of all the heathen deities. He had a temple at Lystra. Hermes, called Mercury by the Romans, was a son of Zeus, and the herald or messenger of all the mythical gods. Hence he was the god of eloquence. There two deities were  supposed to travel together. Thus the people, having decided that because of his eloquence Paul must be Hermes, inferred that his traveling companion was Zeus.[9]

 13 Then the priest of Zeus (whose responsibility it would be to lead the people in worship of Paul and Barnabas), whose temple was in front of their city, (in the place of honor, prominence) brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes (who had gathered).

III. The Apostle’s Response to the Crowd, (14-19)

14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this (when it dawned on them what was going on), they tore their clothes (in horror – which was a Jewish custom that signified great grief or blasphemy) and ran in among the multitude (into the heart of the throng), crying out 15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things (calling us gods and preparing to worship us)? We also are men with the same (human) nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these (very) useless (profitless, meaningless, valueless, empty, worthless) things (like Zeus and Hermes—Ouch!!) to the living (real, vital, meaningful, profitable, worthy) God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them (thus our real Creator and sovereign),

Since they did not know the Old Testament, [Paul] appealed to the universal, rational knowledge of the Creator, the first cause in a cause-and-effect world. As he was later to write to the Romans:

The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. (Rom. 1:18–20; cf. Ps. 19:1–6)

[I think the reason for Satan instituting evolution becomes crystal clear in the light of this passage.  John MacArthur makes it very clear:] 

“Because it poses an explanation of the existence of everything without a Creator or moral lawgiver, people who accept it fail to see any need for God or a first cause. Thus they cut themselves off from all that creation, reason, conscience, and providence are designed to do—namely lead them to God.”[10]

16 who (Paul and Barnabas may be anticipating the question, “Why don’t we know this “living God” then?” The reason being) in bygone (all previous) generations allowed (in His permissive will) all nations (all Gentiles nations here because God did call His nation Israel to walk in His ways, but He allowed all Gentile nations) to walk (live out their lives and beliefs) in their own ways (“to do as they themselves thought best,” “to determine for themselves what was right,” or “[what] to worship.”[11]).

Paul tells the Athenian philosophers the same truth: “Having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now commanding all men everywhere to repent” (17:30; see also I Peter 4:3). The period of ignorance has come to an end now with the proclamation of the Good News by the apostles.[12]

 17 Nevertheless (even though God didn’t give them special revelation as He did His nation Israel) He did not leave Himself without witness (of Himself to the Gentile nations), in that He did good (He expressed His kindness towards you in many ways as he), gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons (providing food to sustain us and our livestock as well as a living to provide for us), filling our hearts with food and gladness (with joy and wellbeing).”

The message is clear; we are dependent upon a gracious and merciful Creator God for our physical and spiritual wellbeing who makes Himself evident in a myriad of ways.  The testimony of His Person and character is clear and universal to all Gentile nations.

 18 And with these sayings (these words) they (both Paul and Barnabas preaching to the crowd) could scarcely (hardly) restrain (stop) the multitudes from sacrificing to them. (probably because of the incredible and undeniable miracle of the healed man.)

God knew this was going to be the outcome of the miracle though didn’t He?

Why no heads up from the Holy Spirit?

We trust issues.

Charles H. Spurgeon says, “Most of the grand truths of God have to be learned by trouble; they must be burned into us with the hot iron of affliction, otherwise we shall not truly receive them. No man is competent to judge in matters of the kingdom, until first he has been tried; since there are many things to be learned in the depths which we can never know in the heights.”[13]

Where the Issue of Intolerance Really Lies!

19 Then (as time went on, news of Paul and Barnabas’ whereabouts and activities came to) Jews from Antioch and Iconium (and because of their still festering intense hatred towards the gospel, they) came there (to Lystra); and having persuaded (won over) the multitudes (to their way of thinking and conclusions so), they stoned Paul (with no trial or anything) and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. (Usually the person was taken out of the city and then stoned like Stephen.  The crowd may have been so won over by the Judaizers, that it was all done in a flash and insane rage.)

Being stoned for the gospel didn’t start, nor did it end with Paul.

3498 First Missionary To Moslems

 Raymond Lull, or Lullius, to whom the Arabic professorship at Oxford owes its origin, was the first Christian missionary to the Moslems.

 When shipwrecked near Pisa, after many years of missionary labour, though upwards of seventy, his [passion] was unabated.

 “Once,” he wrote, “I was fairly rich; once I had a wife and children; once I tasted freely of the pleasures of this life. But all these things I gladly resigned, that I might spread abroad a knowledge of the truth. I studied Arabic, and several times went forth to preach the Gospel to the Saracens. I have been in prisons; I have been scourged; for years I have [gone all out] to persuade the princes of Christendom to befriend the common cause of converting the Mohammedans. Now, though old and poor, I do not despair; I am ready, if it be God’s will, to persevere unto death.”

 And he died so, being stoned to death at Bugia, in Africa, in 1314 after gathering a little flock of converts.

—Selected[14]

IV. The Disciples’ Response to Paul, (20)

—Outline by Warren Wiersbe

  20 However, (after the mob left and) when the disciples (the gospel believers in Lystra—it’s possible that Timothy was one of them) gathered around him (Paul—probably to bury him—to their shock and joy), he rose up and (then certainly to their utter amazement, he) went (back) into the city (what a powerful statement!  What a powerful first impression for Timothy if he was saved at this time).

  • A statement of Paul’s absolute trust in God
  • A statement of Paul’s absolute passion for spreading the gospel
  • A statement of Paul’s absolute love for the pagans
  • A statement of Paul’s absolute victory over the Judaizers

It was John Wesley’s advice, “Always look a mob in the face.” [15]

And the (very) next day (with evidently no more problems) he departed with Barnabas to Derbe (about 40 miles away).

21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city (Derbe—the idea here is that they “filled” the city with the gospel) and made many disciples (they saw many become disciples of Christ—then), they returned (began retracing their steps back) to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, (most would certainly say it would be suicide to do so)

Had the two chosen to do so, they could have continued southeast from Derbe on through the Cilician gates the 150 miles or so to Paul’s hometown of Tarsus and from there back to Syrian Antioch. It would have been the easiest route home by far. They chose, however, to retrace their footsteps and revisit all the congregations that had been established in the course of the mission. In so doing they gave an important lesson on the necessity of follow-up and nurture for any evangelistic effort. Paul would again visit these same congregations on his next mission (16:1–6).[16]

 22 strengthening (means here to cause someone to become stronger in the sense of becoming more restful, firm and unchanging in one’s attitude or belief) the souls of the disciples (the immaterial, eternal part of these gospel believers is what is being strengthened),

Convictions and preferences are two entirely different things:

Difference between a conviction and a preference, according to the U.S. Supreme Court.

A preference is a very strong belief, held with great strength. You can give your entire life in a full-time way to the service of the preference, and can also give your entire material wealth in the name of the belief. You can also energetically proselityze others to your preference. You can also want to teach this belief to your children, and the Supreme court may still rule that it is a preference. A preference is a strong belief, but a belief that you will change under the right circumstances. Circumstances such as: 1) peer pressure; if your beliefs are such that other people stand with you before you will stand, your beliefs are preferences, not convictions, 2) family pressure, 3) lawsuits, 4) jail, 5) threat of death; would you die for your beliefs? A conviction is a belief that you will not change. Why? A man believes that his God requires it of him. Preferences aren’t protected by the constitution. Convictions are. A conviction is not something that you discover, it is something that you purpose in your heart (cf. Daniel 1, 2-3). Convictions on the inside will always show up on the outside, in a person’s lifestyle. To violate a conviction would be a sin.

David C. Gibbs, Jr. Christian Law Association, P.O. Box 30290, Cleveland, Ohio 44130.

New converts and churches always stand in danger of…

•  wavering

•  being lured away

•  returning to religious tradition

•  slipping back

•  not praying faithfully

•  being tempted by wordly friends

•  not studying the Scripture consistently

•  not witnessing —Preacher’s Outline and Sermon Bible – Commentary – The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible – Acts.

 exhorting (encouraging) them to continue (to remain true and active, to press toward the goal) in the faith (their saving and practical faith in Christ—Gospel believers not only need to be taught, but encouraged as well),

Strengthening and making true [and active] disciples of believers are much more difficult than leading them to Christ. Leading people to Christ involves a one-time decision, but strengthening and making disciples involves…

•  many decisions.

•  many days and months and sometimes years.

•  the same people over and over.

•  varied personalities.

•  different levels of spiritual growth.

•  different levels of commitment.

•  different emotions.

•  different ages.

•  opposing thoughts and ideas. —Preacher’s Outline and Sermon Bible – Commentary – The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible – Acts.

22b and saying, “We must (this “must” is a very interesting word, it means “to be something which should be done as the result of compulsion, whether internal {as a matter of duty} or external {as a law, custom, and circumstances}—we must, we ‘should, ought, to have to do.’”[17])

Here are a few other places this word is used:

  • Matthew 18:33 – Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’
  • Matthew 23:23 – “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
  • John 4:4 – But He needed to go through Samaria.
  • Luke 12:12 – For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
  • Acts 27:21 – But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss.

22b (So), “We must (what?) through many (rather than a few or even a moderate number of) tribulations (afflictions, persecutions, troubles: the here idea is to suffer under a “pressure that squeezes painfully” as we journey to) enter the kingdom of God.” (meaning here, to enjoy and rest under the perfect and eternal rule of God in His kingdom—Many a tribulation stands between gospel believers and those pearly gates in their journey towards home.)

According to the World Evangelical Encyclopedia:

  • Since the death of Jesus Christ, 2000 years ago, 43 million Christians have become martyrs
  • Over 50% of these were in the last century alone
  • More than 200 million Christians face persecution each day, 60% of whom are children
  • Every day over 300 people are killed for their faith in Jesus Christ.

[John MacArthur has a comment about suffering that we all need to hear and remember,]  “Perseverance in the Christian life is a ceaseless warfare against the forces of the kingdom of darkness [as Eph. 6:10ff depicts concerning demonic oppression and our spiritual armor]. Christians therefore need to be reminded to expect hardships and persecution and not be dismayed by them.  [How? By reminding ourselves and others that] Jesus promised… “in the world you have tribulation” (John 16:33). “Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus,” Paul exhorted Timothy, since “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 2:3; 3:12). James gave the good news that such tribulation produces spiritual endurance (James 1:2–4), and Peter confirms that truth in 1 Peter 5:10.”[18]

James 1:2–4 – My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

1 Peter 5:10 – May the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

Does this sound unbelievable, undesireable or unattainable to you?  If they do, listen to the words of some of our brethren from the devotional, “Extreme Devotion:”

In spite of the painful reflections and memories, I have no time for bitterness.  My life is filled with too much happiness, too many loving, caring people to allow myself to be devoured by the cancer of hate.  I rejoice. I sing. I laugh. I celebrate because I know that my God reigns supreme over all the forces of evil and destruction Satan has ever devised.  And best of all—my God reigns supreme in me!  — Pastor Noble Alexander, Imprisoned in Cuba for 22 Years[19]

With him, my beloved Master, it is good everywhere.  With him I have light in the dark dungeon.  I had asked him to be where I am needed, not where it is better for the outward man, but where I can bear fruit.  This is my calling. —Russian Pastor P. Rumatchik, from a Letter Written When He Was Imprisoned for the Fifth Time[20]

God will not judge us according to how much we endured, but how much we could love.  The Christians who suffer for their faith in prisons could love.  I am a witness that they could love both God and men.  —Former Underground Church Pastor Who Was Imprisoned for His Faith[21]

D. L. Moody has expressed it so well: “. . .Joy flows right on through trouble; joy flows on through the dark; joy flows in the night as well as in the day; joy flows all through persecution and opposition. It is an unceasing fountain bubbling up in the heart; a secret spring the world can’t see and doesn’t know anything about. The Lord gives His people perpetual joy when they walk in obedience to him” [–Edith draper, Draper’s Book of Quotations for the Christian World (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1992). Entry 6529.].

R.C.H. Lenski says of these necessary tribulations: “The thorns prick us as we climb upward to that kingdom, but the roses await us there. Here the cross, yonder the crown. Rationalism urges us to forget the hereafter, makes this life the whole of religion, accuses us of otherworldliness and of disregarding what we ought to do in this life. But take away the glorious Christian hope, and what have we to live for? Let the full hope of the blessedness to come shine out, and all our earthly days are lighted with heavenly light and filled with highest purpose, courage, and strength.[22]

The Emperor Moth illustrates Lenski’s point:

The cocoon of the Emperor moth is flask like in shape. To develop into a perfect insect, it must force its way through the neck of the cocoon by hours of intense struggle. Entomologists explain that this pressure to which the moth is subjected is nature’s way of forcing a life giving substance into its wings. Wanting to lesson the seemingly needless trials and struggles of the moth, an observer said, “I’ll lesson the pain and struggles of this helpless creature!” With small scissors he snipped the restraining threads to make the moth’s emergence painless and effortless. The creature never developed wings. For a brief time before its death it simply crawled instead of flying through the air on rainbow colored wings!  Sorrow, suffering, trials, and tribulations are wisely designed to further grow us into Christlikeness. The refining and developing processes are oftentimes slow, but through God’s all sufficient grace, will emerge triumphant.

Balancing beam trying to be safe – Francis Chan – Youtube

Time for Our Report Card

 23 So when they had appointed (approved by a show of hands, with the approval of the assembly) elders (Elder (πρεσβυτερος [presbuteros]) was the Jewish name and bishop (ἐπισκοπος [episkopos]) the Greek name for the same office.  … teaching was a normal function of these elders, pastors or bishops as they were variously called (I Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:9; I Cor. 12:28, 30; Eph. 4:11[23]) in every church (or it could mean church by church—it’s possible that they intentionally didn’t appoint elders earlier to give new believers to demonstrate their faith), and prayed with fasting (following the same pattern as when Paul and Barnabas were appointed to the work of the ministry in Acts 13:3), they commended them (“them” probably referring here to the elders as well as the entire congregation) to the Lord (meaning they “gave, entrusted or turned them over to,” or even “put them in the hands of the Lord”) in whom they had believed (in Whom they gave, entrusted or turned themselves over to—affirmation of saved membership).

Lenski has a great comment after this verse, he says, “After the congregation had been properly organized and spiritually fortified, the apostles said good-by.” [24]

Paul and Barnabas left of necessity, but the Lord will never leave nor forsake us.  Also, this points to the biblical fact that the local church family is to do the work of the ministry and to edify one another as they do it.  Ephesians 4:11–12 – He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

I wonder how much praying and fasting goes on while churches are seeking pastors.

 24 And (retracing their steps back in the direction they came) after they had passed through (Antioch) Pisidia, they came to (the area of) Pamphylia (again). 25 Now when they had preached the word in (the chief city of the province) Perga (which may be for the first time as there is no mention they did so when they first arrived [Acts 13:13, 14]), they went (the short distance) down to (the sea port at) Attalia. 26 From there they sailed to (their sending church, Syria) Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God (where they were chosen by God with the desire to pour His grace through them) for the work (God determined) which they had (obediently) completed (fulfilled on God’s behalf).

The estimated duration of this first missionary journey was about one and a half to two years.

It’s time to get their report card.  How well do you think Paul and Barnabas did based on God’s criteria?

  1. 26 From there they sailed to (their sending church, Syria) Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God (where they were chosen by God with His desire to pour His grace through them)

How would you grade Paul and Barnabas on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest, on God being able to pour His grace through them?

  • Did they seek to draw attention to themselves?
  • Did they seek to take any credit for their abilities or actions?
  • Did they seek any praise or glory for the results of their ministry?
  • Did they receive any payment or accolades for the services they rendered?
  • 2. for the work (God determined)
  • Did they argue or resist God’s directions?
  • Did they ever seek to do their own thing?
  • Did they ever pick and choose what they would do and wouldn’t do for God?
  • Did they ever allow their emotions (e.g., fear or anger) or human wisdom (e.g., this doesn’t even make sense! This is futile!) to get in the way of God’s determined will?
  • 3. which they had (obediently) completed (fulfilled on God’s behalf).
  • Were they willing to pay any price for being obedient to God?
  • Did they ever seek to prioritize God’s to-do list and let the lesser aspects of God’s will slide?
  • Did they ever delegate to others their responsibilities?

What is their GPA (Grade Point Average)?

Should our spiritual report card GPA be any different?

What does fulfilling God’s work promise and not promise?

* Direction – * enabling – * resources – * not safety – * not ease

27 Now when they (Paul, Barnabas and the congregation) had come and gathered the church together (for a full report, probably for the first missionary conference ever, and bearing the marks of their persecution), they reported all that (not “they” had done, but what) God had done with them (through pouring His grace out through them), and that He (God) had opened the door of (saving) faith to the Gentiles (Paul and Barnabas only accompanied God, God produced all this fruit).

A couple lessons I want to reinforce here, from this 1st Missionary Journey are:

  1. All gospel believing servants are only instruments who faithfully and obediently complete the will of God, by allowing Him to pour His grace out upon our neighbors, all those who cross our paths on any given day.
  2. “Faith” is the only door available through which God offers an unbeliever, lost in his or her sin, to find forgiveness.  And Paul and Barnabas would rather be stoned and abused than to preach any other socially acceptable gospel in order to safeguard their own personal wellbeing or in order to tickle the ears of their hearers.

Ephesians 2:8 – For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it (faith) is the gift of God.

 28 So they stayed there (at Syria Antioch) a long time (most believe almost a year) with the disciples (meaning here the saved church family—some believe the Paul wrote the book of Galatians during this time).

Some of Warren Wiersbe’s observations of this chapter are:

  1. [Paul] referred the Jews and Jewish proselytes to the Old Testament Scriptures; but when preaching to the Gentiles, he emphasized the God of creation and His goodness to the nations. His starting point was different, but his finishing point was the same: faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
  2. [Paul] majored on establishing and organizing local churches. Jesus had the local church in mind when He gave what we call “The Great Commission” (Matt. 28:19–20). After we make disciples (“teach”), we must baptize them (the responsibility primarily of a local church) and then teach them the Word of God. Merely winning people to Christ is but fulfilling one-third of the Commission! It takes the local assembly of believers to help us fulfill all of what Jesus commanded us to do.
  3. [Paul] grounded the believers in the Word of God. This is the only source of strength and stability when persecution comes, as it inevitably does come. Paul did not preach a popular “success Gospel” that painted a picture of an easy Christian life.
  4. The amazing thing is that Paul and his associates did all of this without the modern means of transportation and communication that we possess today. Dr. Bob Pierce used to say to us in Youth For Christ, “Others have done so much with so little, while we have done so little with so much!” The wasted wealth of American believers alone, if invested in world evangelization, might lead to the salvation of millions of lost people.
  5. Paul and Barnabas announced that the “door of faith” had been opened to the Gentiles.

That door is still open, to Jews and Gentiles alike—to a whole world! Walk through that open door and help take the Gospel to others.

Be daring![25]

Years ago in London there was a large gathering of notables for a concert. One of the invited guests was a famous preacher, Caesar Milan. A young lady charmed the audience that night with her singing. After the concert Milan went up to her and graciously, but boldly, said to her, “I thought as I listened to you tonight how tremendously the cause of Christ would be benefited if your talents were dedicated to His cause. You know, young lady, you are a sinner in the sight of God, but I am glad to tell you that the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse you from all sin.”

The lady became so angry at the preacher that she stomped her feet and walked away. As she was leaving he said, “I mean no offense. I will pray that God’s Spirit will convict you.”

The young lady went home, but she couldn’t sleep. The face of the preacher appeared before her, and his words rang through her mind. About two o’clock in the morning she got out of bed, took a pencil and piece of paper, and with tears rolling down her face, Charlotte Elliot wrote:

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come

[1] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 17: New Testament commentary : Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles. New Testament Commentary (502–503). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

[2] The Acts of the Apostles. 2000 (W. Barclay, lecturer in the University of Glasgow, Ed.). The Daily study Bible series, Rev. ed. (107). Philadelphia: The Westminster Press.

[3] Longenecker, R. N. (1981). The Acts of the Apostles. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 9: John and Acts (F. E. Gaebelein, Ed.) (431–432). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

[4] Polhill, J. B. (2001). Vol. 26: Acts (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (311). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

[5] MacArthur, J. (1994). Acts (326). Chicago: Moody Press.

[6] MacArthur, J. (1994). Acts (326). Chicago: Moody Press.

[7] MacArthur, J. (1994). Acts (326). Chicago: Moody Press.

[8] Barton, B. B., & Osborne, G. R. (1999). Acts. Life application Bible commentary (237). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House.

[9] Freeman, J. M., & Chadwick, H. J. (1998). Manners & customs of the Bible (Rev. ed.].) (527). North Brunswick, NJ: Bridge-Logos Publishers.

[10] MacArthur, J. (1994). Acts (326). Chicago: Moody Press.

[11] Newman, B. M., & Nida, E. A. (993). A handbook on the Acts of the Apostles. UBS handbook series; Helps for translators (282). New York: United Bible Societies.

[12] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 17: New Testament commentary : Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles. New Testament Commentary (517). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

[13] Barton, B. B., & Osborne, G. R. (1999). Acts. Life application Bible commentary (240). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House.

[14] Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times. Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.

[15] The Acts of the Apostles. 2000 (W. Barclay, lecturer in the University of Glasgow, Ed.). The Daily study Bible series, Rev. ed. (110). Philadelphia: The Westminster Press.

[16] Polhill, J. B. (2001). Vol. 26: Acts (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (318). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

[17] Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Vol. 1: Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: Based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition.) (669–670). New York: United Bible Societies.

[18] MacArthur, J. (1994). Acts (326). Chicago: Moody Press.

[19] Extreme Devotion, The Voice of the Martyrs, p. 154

[20] Extreme Devotion, The Voice of the Martyrs, p. 315

[21] Extreme Devotion, The Voice of the Martyrs, p. 140

[22] Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles (585). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House.

[23] Robertson, A. (1997). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Ac 14:23). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems.

[24] Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles (587). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House.

[25] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Ac 14:21). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.