1 Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 6 they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, 7 and there they continued to preach the gospel.
8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, 10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. 11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” 18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
Arriving in Iconium, Paul and Barnabas again started by going to the Jewish synagogue. Despite his mission to the Gentiles, Paul never gave up on the Jews. This time many Jews and Greeks heard the gospel and responded with belief. But again opposition arose. The unbelieving Jews didn’t just stand against them, they actively poisoned the minds of those who had not yet believed. In the face of this opposition, Paul and Barnabas remained. They preached boldly for the Lord and He validated their message of His grace through signs and wonders. The people of the city were divided, some siding with the Jews and some siding with the apostles. Eventually, the opposition reached a point where they intended to stone Paul and Barnabas. Learning of this, they fled to Lystra and Derbe in Lycaonia where they continued to preach the gospel.
In Lystra, Paul encountered a man who had been a cripple from birth. This story is similar to the story of Peter and John entering the temple (Acts 3:1-10). Paul saw that the man had faith to be healed (or to be saved) and said to him, “Stand upright on your feet.” He immediately jumped up and began to walk. This incident shows Paul to be equal to Peter as an apostle. When the crowds saw what Paul had done, their response was clouded by their own religious culture. Speaking in Lycoanian, meaning Paul and Barnabas couldn’t understand, they reckoned that the gods had come down as men and they called Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes. Then their priests attempted to offer sacrifices to them. When they realised what they were doing, Barnabas and Paul addressed the crowd and explained the error of their actions. They pointed out that they were just ordinary men, just like them. They brought a message of good news intended to turn them away from their futile religious practices to a relationship with the living God who created everything. God had permitted but not approved of their choice of belief system. While God had not revealed Himself to the Gentiles as He had to the Jews, he had not left them without evidence of His existence. He revealed His goodness in giving them rains and fruitful seasons, blessing them with food and sustenance. Even with their explanation, they were barely able to stop the people from offering sacrifices to them.
God does not force anyone to believe in Him. Paul and Barnabas presented the gospel but did not push those who rejected the message. God has also left no one with an excuse because everyone is exposed to evidence of His existence. As you meet people, there will be some who are open to hearing the gospel and those who are closed. You do not have to win souls for Christ, you simply need to be ready and willing to share. The real question is, are you ready and willing to share the gospel?
Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan
Unity and Diversity Among Believers: Ephesians 3-4