Acts Chapter 14 Verses 1-6

Acts 14:1 “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. 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:” 

After having been expelled from Antioch in Pisidia, Barnabas and Paul came to Iconium: “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.”  As were there custom they went first unto the synagogue of the Jews and spake.  There message was so received that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. 

“But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.”  We are not told here how the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles by making their minds evil affected against the brethren.  It has been my experience to have become acquainted with people whose minds have been evil affected against the Lord’s church.  Usually this was done by telling lies about the beliefs of the Lord’s church.  Moreover, like in the above instance this was done by unbelieving religious people.  That is by those who did not believe the doctrine of salvation by grace alone.  I have been told by those whose minds were stirred up by unbelievers that we believe in the absolute predestination of all things; that we believe in infant damnation; that we don’t believe in repenting from evil works; etc. 

“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.”  Notice that Paul and Barnabas testimony was accompanied by boldness in the Lord and that the Lord granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.  The Lord himself was involved in the testimony of His grace. 

“But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.”  The gospel of the grace of Christ brings forth division between the believers in the gospel and those who do not believe the gospel.  It has always been that way and continues to be that way even to this very time.

“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,”  The haters of the gospel of Jesus Christ had now become murderous in their thoughts and actions towards those who teach the truth of salvation by grace.  “They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:” 

Verses 7-18 

Acts 14:7 “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.” 

“And there they preached the gospel.”  Going and preaching the gospel is the first work of a gospel minister. 

“And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.”  This man at Lystra heard Paul and Barnabas preaching the gospel and gave evidence that he believed what they preached.  Paul steadfastly beholding him perceived he had faith and was blessed of God to heal the man who stood upright, leaped and walked.  No doubt a great miracle happened here.

“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.  And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.  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.”  The people, no doubt, had been taught to be idol worshippers.  When they saw what was done to the impotent man, they declared that Barnabas and Paul were gods and the priest of Jupiter went about to make sacrifice with the people.  Too often, even in our day, people want to exalt the ministers when they see a demonstration of the power of God. 

"Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, 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: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.  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.  And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.”  Here we see that Paul and Barnabas refused the worship of the people.  This is consistent with what Peter did at the house of Cornelius when Cornelius fell down to worship him.  The Lord’s true called ministers should refuse to receive the worship and exaltation of the Lord’s people.  The Lord himself told us not to receive exalting titles from men: Matt. 23:8 “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.”  By the same reasoning as above it is not appropriate for a true God called minister to allow someone to call him “Reverend.”  God’s name is Holy and Reverend. 

Verses 19-20 

Acts 14:19 “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. 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.”  The persecutors from Antioch and Iconium now came to Lystra with their vile persecution and persuaded the people against Paul and Barnabas.  These persecutors were not content with just casting out Paul from their regions but were intent on wiping out the ministers of the gospel and thus attempting to destroy the preaching of salvation by grace.  They thought they had accomplished their purpose when they stoned Paul and supposed him to be dead.  However, as the disciples stood round about him, Paul rose up and came into the city.  The next day Paul departed with Barnabas to Derbe. 

Verses 21-28

Acts 14:21 “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. 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. 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.”

“And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,”  It is interesting that when they had preached the gospel to Derbe and had taught many, that they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch.  These were the places where great persecution had been mounted against them.  Here we learn that the cause of gospel truth and the edification of God’s people were more important to Paul and Barnabas than fear of mortal death. 

“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.”  The things which they accomplished in returning to the cities in which they had been greatly persecuted were to confirm the souls of the disciples, and to exhort them to continue in the faith.  Moreover, they taught them that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.  This was a principle that not only did they teach with their words but also with their actions. 

“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.”  From this we gather that they had constituted churches and had ordained elders in every church.  A church needs a pastor who can preach and teach the children of God in that church.  The fact that they ordained elders also teaches us that they had taught these men in the scriptures the things that they needed to preach, teach, and pastor a church.  Much work had been done by Paul and Barnabas in those cities. 

“And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.  And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:” We are not given a time frame in which all of this took place.  However, it must have been a considerable amount of time because of the sheer volume of the work that was accomplished in all these regions and cities.

“And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.”  Paul and Barnabas with this had fulfilled their first evangelistic journey to which they were directed by the Spirit of God. 

“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.”  I find it interesting that they rehearsed all that God had done with them rather than what they had done.  They were properly giving God the praise for what was done.  They also pointed out to the brethren that it was God who opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.  I learned by experience that I cannot open a single door when it pertains to the going forth of the gospel.  Only God can open those doors.  It is therefore necessary that we pray that God opens the doors for us.

“And there they abode long time with the disciples.”  You might think that after having returned from such a blessed journey in the gospel labors that they would have been ready to begin their next journey.  However, it is necessary to wait upon the Lord for direction in our gospel labors.