Acts 14

Notes compiled from my BSF group


Acts 14:1–7


- Paul and Barnabas spoke effectively (Acts 14:1) and boldly (Acts 14:3).


- The following are results of Paul and Barnabas’ preaching in Iconium:
* A great number of Jews and Gentiles believed (Acts 14:1) - The Jews who refused to believe pitted Gentiles against each other (Acts 14:2)
* The Lord enabled Paul and Barnabas to perform miraculous signs and wonders (Acts 14:3)
* The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles (Acts 14:4)
* The unbelievers plotted stone them, but they fled (Acts 14:5-6)


* Zondervan NIV footnote:


14:1 at first there was good success, then bitter opposition from the Jews (v. 2). But these evidently failed in their initial attempt, for Paul and Barnabas remained there a considerable time (v. 3). A second wave of persecution was planned, involving violence (v. 5).


- The Jews were expecting a King, and yet they had a poor carpenter’s son. Furthermore, Jesus questioned their heart and told them works will not save them. They have been living by the Torah all these years thinking they were God’s people, but Jesus made them think twice and questioned whether they truly understood God’s will at all. And instead of repenting and reviewing their ways, they stood proud, shutting their eyes and ears to the Truth preached by Jesus. The unbelieving Jews were so upset because they were offended that the Truth Jesus preached were not the truth they had long believed. And so, they were blinded by their pride.




Acts 14:8–18
Psalm 19:1–6
Romans 1:18–32


- Paul preached first before he performed a miracle (Acts 14:8-9).


- Paul saw that the lame man had faith to be healed. It was the lame man's faith that singled him out for healing (Acts 14:9).


- Paul and Barnabas are preaching for people to stop worshiping idols. They need to see that there is only one true God and not waste their time with man-made objects and images (Acts 14:15, Romans 1:25): “Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them.” However, when the crowd saw Paul’s miraculous healing, they started worshipping both Paul and Barnabas.


* Zondervan NIV footnote:


14:12 Zeus was the patron god of Lystra, and his temple was there. People who came to bring sacrifices to Zeus apparently decided to make an offering to Paul and Barnabas instead. The identification of Zeus with Barnabas may indicate that his appearance was more imposing, and Paul was identified as the god Hermes (the Roman Mercury) because he was the spokesman (see 28:6). This incident may have been occasioned by an ancient legend that told of a supposed visit to the same general area by Zeus and Hermes. They were, however, not recognized by anyone except an old couple. So the people of Lystra were determined not to allow such an oversight to happen again.
*http://www.gci.org/bible/acts14 The Lystrans think that they are experiencing a divine visitation. The idea of gods coming to earth in human form is familiar in this region because of a legend. The existence of this ancient legend may explain the wildly emotional response of the Lystrans to the healing of the cripple by Paul and Barnabas. According to the legend, Zeus and Hermes (to use their Greek names) came to earth in the neighboring district of Phrygia disguised as human beings. They seek lodging, but no one shows them hospitality and takes them in. Finally, an old peasant couple, Philemon and his wife Baucis, welcome them as house guests, even though it depletes their meager resources. The gods are angry and destroy the whole population for their lack of hospitality, except for the gracious Philemon and Baucis. The couple’s humble cottage is transformed into a temple, of which they are given the charge until their death. This legend is preserved in a Latin story-poem by Ovid (Metamorphoses, "The Story of Baucis and Philemon" 620-724). He tells the ancient legend about half a century before Paul’s first missionary journey. (Ovid called them by their Latin names, Jupiter and Mercury.) This ancient legend is well known in southern Galatia, and it may explain why Paul and Barnabas become the objects of such a wild celebration. Paul’s healing of the crippled man make the Lystrans think he and Barnabas are the gods Zeus and Hermes once again come down in human form. If the people of ancient times failed to pay homage to the gods on their previous visit, the Lystrans are determined not to make the same mistake and incur their wrath again. Thus, the priest at the local temple arranges for a sacrifice to honor the presence of Paul and Barnabas. Luke says he "brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them" (14:13).


- Paul warned the Lycaonians that they were worshiping "worthless things" (Acts 14:15).


* Zondervan NIV footnote: Acts 14:15 worthless things. Used in the OT to denote false gods (see 1Sa 12:21).


1Sa 12:21 = Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless.


1Sa 12:21 useless idols. No rivals to the Lord can deliver or guarantee security (see Ex 20:3 and note.)


Exodus 20:3 = "You shall have no other gods before me".


Exodus 20:3 before. The Hebrew for this word is translated "in hostility toward" in Ge 16:12, 25:18. Something of that sense may be intended here. In any event, no deity, real or imagined, is to rival the one true God in Israel's heart and life.


- Paul’s words act as a warning for us today as well:
* We should turn away from worthless idols and turn toward the one and only LIVING God (Acts 14:15)!
* We must not waste our time with futile thinking, offering our attention to false idols when we should be focusing on following our Lord (Ephesians 4:17).


* Zondervan NIV footnote:


Acts 14:15 worthless things. Used in the OT to denote false gods (see 1Sa 12:21).


Ephesians 4:17 futility of their thinking. Life without God is intellectually frustrating, useless and meaningless (see e.g., Ecc 1:2 and note; Ro 1:21).


Ecclesiastes 1:2 = "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless." Briefly states the author's theme (see 12:8 and note). Meaningless! This key term occurs about 35 times in the book and only once elsewhere (Job 27:12). The Hebrew for it originally meant "breath" (see Ps 39:5, 11; 62:9; 144:4). The basic thrust of Ecclesiastes is that all of life is meaningless (useless, hollow, futile, vain) if it is not rightly related to God. Only when based on God and his word is life worthwhile. Everything. See v. 8; whatever human beings undertake apart from God.


Romans 1:21 knew God = For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. From seeing his revelation in creation (vv. 19-20). The fact that these people were idolaters (v. 23)and knew God only through the creation order indicates that they were Gentiles. gave thanks. For earthly blessings, such as sun, rain and crops (see Mt 5:45 and note; Ac 14:17).




Acts 14:15–17; 17:24–30
Romans 1:18–32


- God created the heavens, the earth, the sea and everything in them. He gave us everything, therefore, our responsibility is to worship the living God and not false gods (Acts 14:15-17).


- God created the world and everything in it. He gives everyone life and breath and everything else. Our responsibility is to seek God and reach out for Him and find Him (Acts 17:24-27).


- We need to glorify God and give thanks to Him (Romans 1:21). We should serve the Creator (God) and not the created (Romans 1:25). We should retain the knowledge of God (Romans 1:28).


- As the Creator of all things, God bore witness of Himself through His blessings to mankind. This is best exemplified through the Bible, as it has documented every important event that has happened, is happening, and will happen through the sovereignty of God. Thus, we shall all carefully read the Bible and consider the facts.


Remember the prophets. Isaiah, for example, was able to predict the sacrificial death of Jesus hundreds of years before Jesus was even born (Isaiah 53). This is just one event correctly predicted by the prophets through inspirations from God.


Flip through the Bible and study every predicted event. There is not one prophetic event that did not happen exactly the way God’s prophets had announced. The probability of this happening is so miniscule, based on today’s science, we can only come to one conclusion: There is a power that resides outside our time domain. What? Imagine we are walking along a line. We don’t know when the line ends or begins because we can see far enough. But, if we were flying above the line in a plane, we can easily see where the line begins and ends. For us, that line is our current timeline. We can't see into the future or back in the past before us because we are "walking along the line". The power that I was talking about, that power can see us from a bird’s eye view, so to speak. It doesn’t matter what we call that power. We cannot deny its existence. Why? Because the probability of all these predicted events happening exactly the way it was prophesied is so small, it is a scientific fact that it would be deemed "statistically insignificant", aka impossible.


Think about that statement. Despite our confidence in science today, all science can tell us about this is that it is scientifically impossible for all these events predicted hundreds, even thousands, of years prior to happen by chance. One event, sure, the prophets got lucky. Two? Really lucky. Hundreds? That’s more than just luck. It is impossible and yet IT HAPPENED. That is a miracle. This is a fact statement, because we can scientifically show the impossibility of it all happening by chance.


As a scientist, I would be blind and lying if I do not
objectively look at the evidence in front of me and conclude there must be an outside power that can see beyond our timeline to offer us timely advice.


Does it matter what we call this power? For those who thinks "God" is God's name, recall the following two events. Moses asked God what he should tell the people if they asked him, "What is His name?" And God replied, "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14). Similarly, when Jacob asked God for His name, God replied, "Why do you ask my name?" (Genesis 32:29). In fact, the Hebrew word for God is YHWH, taking the view that the name of our Lord is so sacred, it cannot be verbalized. This is also why some translate that to "G-D" in the English language.


The point of all this is, we need to recognize God's SOVEREIGNTY. The point is not in what we call God. Obviously, I would argue we should show this greater power some respect and not just call it whatever we want. It doesn’t matter what He is called. It matters only that He IS. That is a powerful statement. God IS. That is another fact statement, a statement that best proves Him as the Creator of all--For only He who is the Creator can see all.


* Zondervan NIV footnote:


Romans 1:18-20 No one - not even one who has not heard of the Bible or of Christ - has an excuse for not honoring God, because the whole created world reveals him.


- I think Paul discussed the true God and the created world when he talked to the Lycaonians because Paul was trying to make the Lycaonians realize that there it is useless worshiping other men and man-made things.


God created all things. God answers our prayers when we’re in trouble. Only He who created us has the power to save us. What can fellow men do but fall short? One man is no better than another! And what of man-made idols? They are made by fallible men! Do we honestly think the products of our own hands can save us? Throughout Biblical history, we see how easy it was for people to turn to idols. We do it even today, making money, power, fashion, sports, etc. our idols! And because of our tendency for idolatry, prophets have preached hard against this, to wake us up from our stupor, to make us realize how futile it is for us to place our hopes and dreams in something that has no meaning! I believe Isaiah said it best when he tried to turn the Israelites away from worshipping idols (Isaiah 44:6-23).


* http://www.gci.org/bible/acts14
"We too are only men" (14:14-15)


Paul makes an impassioned speech in hopes of thwarting the attempt of the Lystrans to worship the missionaries. This speech, in verses 14-17, is an example of how the gospel might be introduced to purely pagan audiences. A more complete example is the speech delivered by Paul to the Athenian Court of the Areopagus (17:22-31). The speech here differs widely in content from those Peter, Paul and others deliver to Jewish and Gentile followers of Judaism. When speaking to Jews and those worshiping with them, Christian speakers can assume their listeners have some knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures, and that they know about the one true God of Israel. With a purely pagan audience, the speaker has to back up a step to first proclaim the existence of the one true God.


In his speech to the Lystrans, Paul begins by explaining that the one God is the Creator of all living things (14:15). Even before this, however, Paul and Barnabas are forced to deny that they are gods. When they understand what the Lystrans think — and that they are going to sacrifice to them — they race into the crowd yelling for them to stop. "We too are only men, human like you," Paul shouts (14:15). (This assumes that Paul gives the speech, as he is chief speaker.) More literally, the Greek means we are "of the same nature as you." That is, Paul is saying that he and Barnabas share the human condition with the Lystrans and they have no special qualities about them.


The Bible rejects the idea that humans have any spiritual uniqueness worthy of special homage. This is true for even the greatest of God’s servants. James says to Jewish Christians that Elijah was "a man just like us" (5:17). Peter refuses any special reverence from Cornelius, saying, "I am only a man myself" (10:26). Even angels are not to be given special adoration (Revelation 19:10).


Turning from idols (14:15-18) Paul and Barnabas urge the Lystrans to give up their idolatry — to "turn from these worthless things to the living God" (14:15). The rejection of idolatrous worship practices is a basic test of conversion for Gentiles. Of course, these Gentiles should also accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. But knowing God is the starting point for pagan Gentile conversion. As Paul will later write, the Gentile Thessalonians understand this and turn "to God from idols to serve the living and true God" (1 Thessalonians 1:9). At Lystra, Paul identifies the true God as the One "who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them" (14:15).


Paul and Barnabas are beginning their sermon on an elementary level, starting with nature rather than Scripture. They are saying that nature itself testifies to the existence of a Creator. Paul says the same in his letter to the Romans (1:20). If people understand and accept that God is the Creator of everything, they are also led to worship him.


It is said that there are two books of God. One is his word, the Bible. The second is nature, and the lessons about God that people should draw from it. In short, the existence of the creation demonstrates that God exists and is the creator. But nature does not tell us about a Savior — that is normally communicated through evangelism. Even further, Paul and Barnabas insist that the works of creation should lead us to understand that God is kind and merciful (14:17). God does not fall into a rage in response to minor matters (as Zeus and Hermes supposedly did when they destroyed people who failed to show them hospitality). Paul says that God’s kindness is shown in his providing rain in due season for crops. The one true God, the missionaries insist, "provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy" (14:17).


God demonstrates his presence through the good things we enjoy. The goodness of God in providing rainfall and bountiful harvests is an Old Testament theme (Genesis 8:21-22). It is also a common theme in pagan religions. The idea is that the gods supply bounteous harvests.


Since Paul’s audience is probably composed largely of farmers, they understand the importance of food — and that they are dependent on God for its supply. As a beginning for the preaching the gospel of salvation, Paul’s speech is a good start. At best, however, this sermon based on natural theology is only a preamble to the gospel. The speech is incomplete, for it doesn't go on to discuss the death and resurrection of Jesus and its meaning for the listeners. Luke doesn't say if Paul and Barnabas go on to relate this vital aspect of the gospel. Perhaps their immediate intent is simply to stop the crowd from sacrificing to them. Luke implies that the Lystrans don’t really understand Paul’s message; his words barely achieve the immediate goal of stopping the townspeople from sacrificing (14:18).




Acts 16:1–3
Philippians 2:19–21
2 Timothy 1:2–5


- Paul brought Timothy into the Christian life and was a great mentor to him for the rest of his life. The last letter he wrote before his death was written to Timothy.


- The fellowship between Paul and Timothy was so strong, Paul’s work was able to be carried on by Timothy upon Paul’s death.


We are God’s disciples. Our number one duty, as Paul exemplified brilliantly, is to spread the Gospel, DESPITE ALL DIFFICULITES. There is no other goal. And if we can pass on this mission before our physical body decays, we can pass away knowing at least God’s Word can continue to spread.


Why is this so important? Because we are trying to save as many souls as we can before God releases His wrath on Satan and the non-believers who refused to return to God and thus chose to stand with Satan by default!


*http://www.gci.org/bible/acts16
Derbe and Lystra (16:1-2)


After his pastoral visit to the churches in Syria and Cilicia, Paul travels to the city of Derbe. His first trip to this and other cities in Galatia was discussed in 14:6-21. After his activities in Derbe are completed (Luke gives no details), Paul takes the northwest road to Lystra. Again, Luke says nothing about what Paul does in the city. Luke’s main interest here is to show how Timothy becomes Paul’s associate. Apparently Lystra is Timothy’s hometown (20:4). He is already a member of the church, as the disciples in Lystra and Iconium speak well of him. Most likely Timothy was converted as a result of Paul’s preaching on his first missionary journey. Timothy’s mother and grandmother are also Christian believers (2 Timothy 1:5). His mother, Eunice, is Jewish and has instructed Timothy in the Hebrew Scriptures. Timothy will become the most important of Paul’s associates in his mission to the Gentiles. Luke mentions his role several times in Acts (17:14-15; 18:5; 19:22; 20:4). Paul refers to Timothy as a "fellow worker" (Romans 16:21). Two New Testament letters are addressed to Timothy personally. In several, he is listed as an author alongside of Paul. Paul has a special affection for Timothy, calling him "my son whom I love" (1 Corinthians 4:17). In Paul’s mind, there is no individual quite like Timothy, whose thinking is so much like his own (Philippians 2:19-20). Timothy remains a close confidant and friend up to Paul’s death. Paul even sees him as a successor who will continue his work. He is used on a number of occasions to help with Paul’s pastoral and gospel-preaching responsibilities (1 Corinthians 4:17; 16:10; Philippians 2:19; 1 Thessalonians 3:2, 6; 1 Timothy 1:3).


At some point, Timothy is ordained to the ministry. Perhaps it is at this time in Lystra. Paul says that Timothy was given a special divine ability, and the knowledge of it came as a result of divine revelation (1 Timothy 1:18). "Do not neglect your gift," Paul admonishes him, "which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you" (1 Timothy 4:14).




It is unlikely that 2 Corinthians 12:1-4 describes Paul's experience at Lystra. 2 Corinthians is dated to be written in A.D. 55. The event Paul writes of he states occurred 14 years ago (2 Corinthians 12:2), which would be around A.D. 41, BEFORE his first missionary journey (A.D. 46-48).


* Zondervan NIV footnote:


2 Corinthians 12:2, 4 caught up to the third heaven... caught up to paradise. Paul is unsure whether this remarkable experience included his body or took place in separation from it (cf. Eze 8:3 and note). The "third heaven" designates a place beyond the immediate heaven of the earth's atmosphere and beyond the further heaven of outer space into the presence of God himself. Thus the risen and glorified Lord Jesus is said to have passed "through the heavens" (Heb 4:14; see note there), and now, having "ascended higher than all the heavens" (Eph 4:10), to be "exalted above the heavens" (Heb 7:26). The term "paradise" (see Ne 2:8; Lk 23:43; Rev 2:7 and notes) is synonymous with the third heaven, where believers who have died are "at home with the Lord" (5:8 [see note there]; cf. "with Christ," Php 1:23).


2 Corinthians 12:2 a man in Christ. Paul himself. fourteen years ago. Early in his ministry, before his first missionary journey (Ac 13:4 - 14:28).




Acts 14:20b–28


- Gaius, one of Paul's co-workers, came from Derbe


- The mission in Derbe seemed relatively easy with not many oppositions. The missionaries were also able to win a large number of disciples (Acts 14:21).


*http://www.gci.org/bible/acts14
In Derbe (14:21)


After Paul revives, he goes back into Lystra, and then he and Barnabas leave the next day for Derbe. Though there is some doubt about its exact location, Derbe is probably about 60 miles (97 kilometers) southeast of Lystra, on the eastern end of the Lycaonian region of Galatia. Luke gives no details about the activities of Barnabas and Paul in Derbe. However, their missionary work must be successful, because their preaching wins "a large number of disciples" (14:21). Among those converts may be Gaius, who becomes a member of Paul’s missionary company (20:4).


Apparently the missionaries do not suffer any persecution in Derbe. Luke records none, and 2 Timothy 3:11 implies that there isn't any. This is, in a sense, the end of the first missionary journey as far as preaching the gospel to outsiders is concerned, except for a brief notice of it in Perga (14:25).


- By setting up challenges hard enough to build their character but not so much that it crushes their spirits, we see how God nurtures and cares for His suffering servants. And when needed, He show signs of hope and encouragements.




Acts 14:21–23
Paul strengthened the disciples and encouraged them to remain true to the faith.




2 Corinthians 7:3
The people had a place in Paul's heart that he would live or die with them.




Galatians 4:19
Paul sees the people as his dear children.




1 Thessalonians 2:7–11
Paul cares for them as a nursing mother would care for her children. He deals with them as a father would deal with his own children.




1 Thessalonians 2:19–20
The people are Paul's hope, glory and joy.




1 Thessalonians 3:8
Paul truly lives when they are standing firm in the Lord.




Acts 14:20b–28
Paul and Barnabas worked hard, but most importantly, they also prayed for God's guidance and did things according to God's will. Thus, they were blessed in everything they did and were able to strong and united despite all obstacles.