While Paul and Barnabas were in Antioch, the Jews present had gotten angry that the gospel was being preached to the Gentiles. They were going to start a riot in the city due to this, so Paul and Barnabas decided to leave before things got out of control.
So, they went to another city.
Acts 14:1-2- 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. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.
There were some Jews that received salvation through Paul's preaching. There were some Gentiles who, also, received salvation. But, there were those of both races that fought against the gospel, and made life difficult for Paul and Barnabas.
Acts 14:3-7- 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. But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. 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, They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: And there they preached the gospel.
Can you imagine being a city that was about to erupt into one huge battle? Half of the Jews and gentiles stood with Paul and Barnabas, and half of the city stood against them. Plans were being made to stone Paul and Barnabas, so they left and went to some other cities to preach the gospel.
Acts 14:8-13- And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. 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. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. 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.
Paul had the gift of an apostle- he could cast out devils and heal people and speak in tongues. He did miracles in different cities that they visited.
While in Lystra, he worked a miracle on a lame man and caused this man to walk again.
The people of Lystra were Gentiles who had worshiped false idols. They were known for worshiping many different idols, including the starts and planets. In their worship of astrology, they thought that Barnabas was their divinity Jupiter and Paul was the representation of Mercury; these people assumed that the gods of their myths had come to walk among them.
They were getting ready to sacrifice animals to Paul and Barnabas and worship them like the deities they thought they were. Oh no!
Acts 14:14-18- Which] when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, 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: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. 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. And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.
Whew! They barely had a chance to stop them.
They were there to preach the gospel, not give them a new religion. These people needed to know that there was only one God, and that He had sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, to die for their sins. Asking Jesus to forgive them of their sins and wash them in His blood was the only thing that could keep them out of hell.
Oh, but how quickly people are persuaded to change their minds! When some of the Jews who stood against Paul and Barnabas in the city of Iconium came to town, they were able to sway these Gentiles. First, they were going to worship them and now they were going to try to kill 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.
They dragged Paul out of the city and stoned him- that means they threw huge rocks at him until he died.
But, God wasn't through with Paul just yet. And, he wanted Paul to know that something wonderful was waiting for him.
When Paul tells the Corinthians about this he still didn't know what had happened exactly- either he died and went to heaven or he saw a vision of heaven.
II Corinthians 12:3-4- And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
Paul saw the wonders of heaven, and then was told that he had to remain on the earth and complete the job that God had called him to do. But, he was given a handicap- he called it a thorn in the flesh- to keep him humble.
II Corinthians 12:7-10- And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Paul was given a weakness, something that hindered him from working at his full capacity. Why? Because God wanted Paul to rely on His strength and the power of the Holy Ghost, and not on the abilities of his flesh.
Jesus said in John 6:63- It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
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.
Paul crawled out from under all those stones and walked right back into the city, probably past them men who had just left him for dead.
The next day he went to preach at another city. Death wasn't going to stop him until God said his job was finished.
Acts 14:21-22- And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, 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.
It seemed like Paul had gotten a taste of heaven and would do anything to go back there! He went back to the cities where they had threatened to and tried to kill him. He encouraged the Christians in those cities and told them that even though hard times might come they could rest assured that Christ would always be there with them.
Acts 14:23-28- 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. And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. 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. And there they abode long time with the disciples.
Paul and Barnabas finished their first missionary journey, and then returned to the Apostels and Christians in Antioch to give a report of the grace and power of God during their trip.
