Acts 14

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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.

Acts 14:2: But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

Acts 14:3: 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.

Acts 14:4: But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

Over these past twenty-two years I have seen no more effective weapon used by Satan than the division of the believers. Remember, both the Jewish believer and the gentiles, in that day, knew Christianity as a sect of Judaism. So it was, knowing that these “Christians” were like unto the Pharisees and the Sadducee and yet they came after them to do them harm even though all they taught was peace, eternally.

Acts 14:5: 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,

Acts 14:6: They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:

Acts 14:7: And there they preached the gospel.

Very much unlike so many naming the name of the Christ today, they did not shut up but rather they went about following, just as they had been commanded. (Matt. 28:18a-20) When we make the commitment to our LORD We must be serious and to remember that to believe that everything is going to come up roses, just because we are now on God's team is a lie. We have joined the winning team but there is a war to be fought and fighting is never sweet and nice!

Acts 14:8: And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:

Acts 14:9: The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,

Acts 14:10: Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.

Acts 14:11: 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.

Missionaries have had this problem since the day Jesus hung on the cross. I have heard reports of this in remote regions around the world and it is important that we be able to recognize this phenomena in it's various stages. This is what many know as a Life Change Of Season and it at these changes of season that men and women are most teachable. More common signs of seasonal changes in life are the passing of a loved one and a life changing surgical procedure. Christians need to learn to recognize these changes as a person becoming more receptive to the matters of Spiritual Life.

Acts 14:12: And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.

Acts 14:13: 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.

Acts 14:14: Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,

Acts 14:15: 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:

Acts 14:16: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.

Acts 14:17: 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.

Paul and Barnabas, as was the custom to show grief, ripped their clothing apart, to get their attention, and began to teach the truth. The locals believed these men were some of the gods they worshiped and Paul and his team, immediately began to teach them that there is only one God and that none of these were Him. They, further, pointed out that they, the locals, had profited from His love and care forever.

Acts 14:18: And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.

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.

Acts 14:20: 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.

It seems stupid to execute a man, see him raised up to teach again and yet you pursue him to persecute his teaching of eternal life. Yet, this is exactly what they did. ZI know that there will be folks on the web that will dislike what I have said here but the fact is that they had stoned Paul to the point of, what they considered to be, death and yet when the Christians had gathered, and presumably, prayed, Paul walked away.

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,

Acts 14:22: 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.

Acts 14:23: 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.

When I taught the Primaries Class I also led music for Children's Church and one of the songs loved by the little people is the Lord's Army. In this number the little ones are taught that being a follower of the Christ is just like being a member of any other army. The modern day Christian Convert has a number of false ideas of what being a Christian is while the truth is often an offense to many of the people. In the Army and the Marine Corps men learn to shut up and to follow orders, this is required for any successful Army, including Christianity.

Acts 14:24: And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.

Acts 14:25: And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:

Acts 14:26: And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.

Acts 14:27: 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.

Acts 14:28: And there they abode long time with the disciples.

One of the most useful things any military force can do is the after action report. In, just, this spirit Paul and his team did just this and as a result everyone knew the situation in remote areas, they knew what the had to count on in their area of operation.