Acts 14

Acts 14 recounts part of Paul and Barnabas' first missionary journey. 

1. Ministry in Iconium (Verses 1-7):

   • Paul and Barnabas preach in the Jewish synagogue in Iconium, resulting in a significant number of Jews and Gentiles believing.

   • Their message divides the city, with some siding with the Jews and others with the apostles.  

   • Facing threats of mistreatment and stoning, Paul and Barnabas flee to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe, continuing to preach the gospel there.

2. Healing of a Crippled Man in Lystra (Verses 8-10):

   • In Lystra, Paul heals a man who had been lame from birth. The man had faith to be healed, and Paul commands him to stand up and walk.

   • The crowd is amazed at the miracle.

3. Reaction of the Crowd (Verses 11-18):

   • The people of Lystra mistake Paul and Barnabas for gods (Hermes and Zeus, respectively) and attempt to offer sacrifices to them.

   • Paul and Barnabas tear their clothes and rush into the crowd, insisting that they are merely human and urging the people to turn from idolatry to the living God.  

   • Despite their efforts to redirect the crowd's worship, they struggle to restrain the people from sacrificing to them.

4. Opposition and Persecution (Verses 19-20):

   • Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrive and win over the crowd, stoning Paul and dragging him out of the city, thinking he is dead.

   • Paul miraculously survives, gets up, and returns to the city. The next day, he and Barnabas leave for Derbe. 

5. Strengthening the Disciples (Verses 21-23):

   • In Derbe, Paul and Barnabas preach the gospel and make many disciples. 

   • They return to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith, acknowledging that entering the kingdom of God involves enduring hardships. 

   • They appoint elders in each church and commit them to the Lord with prayer and fasting.

6. Return to Antioch in Syria (Verses 24-28):

   • Paul and Barnabas travel through Pisidia and Pamphylia, preaching the word in Perga and then going down to Attalia. 

   • They sail back to Antioch in Syria, where they had been commended to the grace of God for their work. 

   • They report to the church all that God had done through them and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. 

   • They stay there a long time with the disciples.

Key Themes and Takeaways:

• Boldness in Proclaiming the Gospel: Paul and Barnabas demonstrate unwavering courage and persistence in preaching the gospel despite opposition and persecution.

• Miraculous Signs: The healing of the crippled man showcases God’s power and serves as a catalyst for both acceptance and misunderstanding of their message.

• Humility and Redirecting Worship: The apostles deflect misplaced worship, emphasizing their humanity and pointing people to the true God.

• Endurance Through Hardship: Paul’s recovery from being stoned highlights the resilience required in ministry and the belief in God’s protection and purpose.

• Strengthening and Organizing the Church: The appointment of elders and encouragement of new believers underline the importance of church leadership and discipleship.

Acts 14 illustrates the dynamic and often challenging nature of early Christian missionary work, emphasizing reliance on God’s power and the importance of perseverance, humility, and strong community support in spreading the gospel.