Copyright © S P Townsend
WCF - THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
Study Number 25: Acts 14 v 7 - 28
24 Sep 1989
The unbelieving Jews continued to stir up trouble for Paul and Barnabas wherever they went in the Galatian region of Asia Minor. They had been expelled from Pisidian Antioch because the leading men of the city had been incited by the Jews. Then in Iconium the Jews poisoned the minds of the townsfolk against the missionaries, who as a result spent considerable time there making sure their message was clearly understood by all who wanted to hear it. Eventually the unbelieving Jews and Gentiles plotted to stone Paul and Barnabas, so they travelled South about twenty five miles to Lystra.
In Lystra the Lord performed a spectacular healing miracle, when at Paul's command a man crippled from birth began walking. The amazed crowd were about to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods in human form, until the missionaries learned of their intention and put a stop to it. Some of the people from that area became disciples, but many seemed to prefer their existing superstitious religions. When a deputation of Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium the townsfolk were eager to respond to their call for violent action, and in the resulting attack Paul was left for dead. The Lord then performed another miracle; as the disciples gathered around Paul's body he revived, and accompanied them back into the city.
On the following day Paul and Barnabas travelled another thirty or so miles to the city of Derbe. Here they again preached the good news, and this time saw a large number of disciples won for the Lord.
Then Paul and Barnabas began retracing their steps visiting each young church that had been established on their outward journey. They gave them further encouragement, teaching them, appointing elders, and praying and fasting with them. All the time they looked for opportunities to preach the good news about Jesus. Eventually they arrived back at the harbour town of Attalia where they had first landed, and from there they sailed back to their home church in Antioch. In Antioch they called the church together to report all that the Lord had done. They remained for a long time with the church there.
Paul and Barnabas served together, supporting and encouraging each other. Working alone is not usually God's way.
Paul and Barnabas were sent (i) by the Lord and (ii) by the church at Antioch, and were therefore apostles (see v 14). They were not self-appointed ministers just doing their own thing. They were supported by and responsible to those who sent them, and were their representatives; this is what the laying on of hands meant in 13 v 3.
In each town the new disciples were formed into a cohesive group, with an appointed leadership. The apostles assumed leadership while they were with each group, but then took their hands off the reins and committed them to the Lord.
Acts 13 v 2. The Lord gives direction to a prayerful and worshipful church. He guides those whose eyes are upon Him.
Acts 13 v 3, 14 v 23, 26. It is marvellous and wonderful that God pours out His goodness and grace in response to the prayers of His people. Prayer is necessary and effective - not because we manipulate great spiritual power, but because God chooses and delights to respond to the prayers of His people.
Acts 14 v 20. The enemy is active wherever God's people are committed to discipleship, seeking to hinder and destroy God's work. But we have a direct line of communication to the Throne Room of the Universe that Satan cannot destroy.
Freely Abdicating Self-Trust. Through fasting we deliberately concentrate on the spiritual rather than the material, we acknowledge our dependence on God rather than our own resources, and we learn to be sensitive to God's Spirit rather than our own appetites.
• What name is used for new Christians in this passage? Why is this a better name than 'convert' or `believer'?
• What did Paul see that encouraged him to believe the crippled man would walk? How can we learn to 'see' spiritual responses like this?
• What lessons can we draw from the reactions of the crowd at Lystra (v 11 and 19)? Where could we find similar situations today?
• Why and how were elders appointed in the new churches?
• What does laying on of hands mean (e.g. Acts 13 v 3)?
• Why, when and how should we fast? Can fasting be undertaken as a group, or should it be a private, personal means of prayer?
Copyright © S P Townsend