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Overview of Acts Chapter 14

Acts chapter 14 continues the narrative of Paul and Barnabas on their Gospel travels, focusing on their experiences in Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe.

The chapter portrays the dynamic nature of their ministry, including both acceptance and opposition.

Miracles are performed, and the Gentiles respond with faith, but the Jewish leaders incite persecution.

The chapter concludes with the return of Paul and Barnabas to Antioch, reporting the conversion of the Gentiles.

Verses 1-7: Proclaiming the Gospel in Iconium

In Iconium, Paul and Barnabas enter the synagogue and speak boldly, leading to the conversion of both Jews and Gentiles.

However, opposition arises, and a plot to mistreat and stone them, prompts their departure to Lystra and Derbe.

Verses 8-20: Miracles, & Opposition in Lystra

In Lystra, Paul heals a man lame from birth, leading the locals to believe that they are gods, and wanting to worship them.

Paul tries to redirect their worship to the true God.

The Jews from Antioch and Iconium, incite a crowd, and stone Paul.

He is left for dead but miraculously revives.

Verses 21-28: Proclaiming the Gospel in Derbe, & Return to Antioch

Paul and Barnabas then proceed to Derbe, where they preach the gospel and make many disciples.

They revisit the cities they had previously visited, appoint elders, and return to Antioch, reporting the success of their preaching and how God had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

Summary

Acts chapter 14 highlights the Gospel Travels of Paul and Barnabas through Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, where they encountered mixed responses.

The chapter showcases the power of God through miracles, the challenge of opposition, and the resilience of Paul and Barnabas, in continuing their mission.

The conversion of Gentiles, and the establishment of new believers, emphasize the expansion of the gospel beyond Jewish boundaries.

Despite facing adversity, Paul and Barnabas remain committed to proclaiming the Gospel, and the chapter underscores the importance of perseverance.

It also shows the need for God's guidance in spreading the message of Jesus Christ.

Paul and Barnabas at Iconium

14 Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, and there they continued to preach the gospel.

Paul and Barnabas at Lystra

Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, 10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. 11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” 18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.

Paul Stoned at Lystra

19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Paul and Barnabas Return to Antioch in Syria

24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, 26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. 27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they remained no little time with the disciples.

Q&A

Acts 14:1-2
Q1: What happened in Iconium as Paul and Barnabas spoke in the synagogue, as mentioned in Acts 14:1-2?
A1: Paul and Barnabas spoke in the synagogue in Iconium, and a great number of Jews and Greeks believed.

Acts 14:3
Q2: How did the apostles stay a long time in Iconium, and what did the Lord do through them, as mentioned in Acts 14:3?
A2: The apostles stayed a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of His grace by granting signs and wonders to be done through them.

Acts 14:4-7
Q3: How did the city of Iconium react to the message preached by Paul and Barnabas, as mentioned in Acts 14:4-7?
A3: The city was divided, with some siding with the Jews who opposed the apostles. When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat and stone them, Paul and Barnabas fled to Lystra and Derbe.

Acts 14:8-10
Q4: What happened in Lystra when a man crippled from birth was healed by Paul, as mentioned in Acts 14:8-10?
A4: A man crippled from birth was healed by Paul in Lystra. When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!"

Acts 14:11-13
Q5: How did the people of Lystra react to the healing, and what did they call Paul and Barnabas, as mentioned in Acts 14:11-13?
A5: The people of Lystra thought Paul and Barnabas were gods and called Barnabas Zeus and Paul Hermes because he was the chief speaker.

Acts 14:14-18
Q6: How did Paul and Barnabas respond to being called gods, and what message did Paul preach to the people in Lystra, as mentioned in Acts 14:14-18?
A6: Paul and Barnabas tore their garments, urging the people not to worship them. Paul preached that they should turn from vain things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, and all that is in them.

Acts 14:19-20
Q7: What happened to Paul in Lystra, and how did the disciples respond, as mentioned in Acts 14:19-20?
A7: Jews from Antioch and Iconium came and persuaded the crowds to stone Paul. They dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and entered the city.

Acts 14:21-23
Q8: After leaving Lystra, where did Paul and Barnabas go, and what did they do in the cities they visited, as mentioned in Acts 14:21-23?
A8: Paul and Barnabas went to Derbe and then returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith.

Acts 14:24-26
Q9: How did Paul and Barnabas conclude their journey, as mentioned in Acts 14:24-26?
A9: Paul and Barnabas passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. They spoke the word in Perga and then went down to Attalia, from where they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work they had fulfilled.

Acts 14:27
Q10: What did Paul and Barnabas report to the church in Antioch upon their return, as mentioned in Acts 14:27?
A10: Paul and Barnabas gathered the church in Antioch and reported all that God had done through them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

Acts 14:28
Q11: How long did Paul and Barnabas stay in Antioch, and what did they do during this time, as mentioned in Acts 14:28?
A11: Paul and Barnabas stayed a long time with the disciples in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord.