Day 103 – Friday, May 23, 2025

One Year Journey Through the New Testament

Acts 14

Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!

At Iconium

1 Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. ² But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. ³ Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

⁴ But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles. ⁵ And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, ⁶ they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region. ⁷ And they were preaching the gospel there. 

(Acts 14:1–7, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Great revival occurred at Iconium, but also great persecution.
• Half the city was converted and believed in Christ. The other half sided with the Jews. Paul and Barnabus stayed there a long time, preaching and speaking boldly.
• Eventually, a plot to stone them came to their attention, and they fled to Lystra and Derbe, in Lycaonia. They preached there.

Idolatry at Lystra

⁸ And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. ⁹ This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, ¹⁰ said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked. ¹¹ Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” ¹² And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. ¹³ Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.

¹⁴ But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out ¹⁵ and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, ¹⁶ who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. ¹⁷ Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” ¹⁸ And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them. 

(Acts 14:8–18, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Paul and Barnabus preached in Lystra, and Paul saw a man lamenting from his mother’s womb, and perceived that he had faith to be healed.
• He called him to rise to his feet, which he did, and leaped and ran around the place. The residents of Lystra called them gods, even naming them Zeus and Hermes. They understood what they said and told them not to worship them, but to understand that they were just men. The one they should worship was God Himself.
• They barely stopped the people from offering sacrifices to them.

Stoning, Escape to Derbe

¹⁹ Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. ²⁰ However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. 

(Acts 14:19–20, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• The Jews that had opposed them from Antioch in Pisidia and Iconium followed them to Lystra, and persuaded the multitudes to stone Paul.
• They thought he was dead, but he arose and went into the city again, and left the next day, headed to Derbe.

Strengthening the Converts

²¹ And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, ²² strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” ²³ So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. ²⁴ And after they had passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. ²⁵ Now when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. ²⁶ From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed.

²⁷ Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. ²⁸ So they stayed there a long time with the disciples. 

(Acts 14:21–28, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• They made many disciples in Derbe. They returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch.
• They strengthened the disciples there and warned of tribulation that would come. They appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, commending them to the Lord.
• They passed through Pisidia and visited Pamphylia. They they went to Perga and Attalia. They then return to Antioch.
• They gathered the church together and reported all that God had done. They told how God had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. They stayed in Antioch with the disciples for a while.
• What a great missionary trip! They broke strongholds, healed the sick, saved the lost, and established the church in many cities. This was true evangelism and apostolic ministry.

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All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.

Join us this afternoon at 5:00 pm for a discussion of this chapter live online. Live@5 with Dr. Greg Sloop can be found on Facebook on the Dr. Greg Sloop page or on the Kannapolis Church of God Facebook page or Youtube page. Another blog will be posted each weekday at 6:00 a.m.