History · Chapter 14 of 28

Acts 14

In Iconium Paul and Barnabas preach boldly until a divided city plots to stone them, and they flee to Lystra. There Paul heals a man lame from birth, and the crowd tries to worship them as gods, which they refuse in horror. Then hostile Jews stone Paul and leave him for dead, yet he rises and goes on. They retrace their route, strengthening the churches and appointing elders.

What happens in Acts 14

At Iconium Paul and Barnabas preach so effectively that many Jews and Greeks believe, but unbelievers poison the city against them. They stay speaking boldly until an assault to stone them forces them to flee to Lystra. There Paul sees a man crippled from birth who has faith to be healed and commands him to stand; the man leaps up and walks. The crowd, amazed, decides the gods have come down as men and calls Barnabas Jupiter and Paul Mercurius, and the priest of Jupiter prepares a sacrifice.

Horrified, the apostles tear their clothes and beg the people to turn from these vanities to the living God who made all things. Even so they barely restrain them. Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrive, and the same crowd stones Paul and drags him out, supposing him dead. But he rises and goes back in. Returning through the cities, they strengthen the disciples, warn of tribulation, and appoint elders.

Acts 14 in context

Acts 14 completes the first missionary journey. Lystra was a rural district where people spoke Lycaonian and held pagan beliefs, which explains their attempt to worship the apostles as Greek gods in human form. Paul's speech here previews his later address at Athens, appealing to creation rather than Israel's Scriptures for a pagan audience.

The stoning of Paul shows the suffering that shadows the gospel, yet the churches planted are established with elders before the missionaries return.

Main themes of Acts 14

Acts 14 (KJV)

1And 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. 2But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. 3Long 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. 4But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. 5And 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, 6They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: 7And there they preached the gospel. 8And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked: 9The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, 10Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. 11And 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. 12And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. 13Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. 14Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, 15And 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: 16Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. 17Nevertheless 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. 18And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them. 19And 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. 20Howbeit, 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. 21And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, 22Confirming 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. 23And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. 24And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: 26And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. 27And 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. 28And there they abode long time with the disciples.

Verses to carry from Acts 14

“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 14:15

“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.”Acts 14:17

“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 14:22

Reflection

Paul and Barnabas would not keep even a scrap of glory that belonged to God. It is tempting to enjoy praise for what God does through us. When honor comes your way this week, practice handing it back to him, and let your gladness be in pointing others to the living God rather than to yourself.

A prayer from Acts 14