In the previous study, we learned that Barnabas and Paul had been traveling throughout the Gentile nations, boldly speaking and teaching the Word of God. The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 13:49-52 NIV; see ACTS: Go! Take the "Pure and Undefiled" Word of God to All People)
In Iconium, they continued doing what they had done everywhere they had gone. 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. But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles. And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region. And they were preaching the gospel there. (Acts 14:3-7) Barnabas and Paul continued doing what they had been doing, but unfortunately, the Jews continued doing what they had been doing, from the time Christ began His earthly ministry up to this time.
No matter how a certain group responds to the gospel, even if they are a religious group, we are not to stop sharing this life changing and saving Word with others. We are to continue speaking boldly in the Lord, who will bear witness to the word of His grace. One way the Lord will bear witness it by granting signs and wonders to be done by our hands, just like He did though the apostles and disciples, after they had received the Holy Spirit. And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked. (Acts 14:8-10)
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!” And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 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. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out 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, who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. (Acts 11-16)
"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.” And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them. (Acts 14:14-18) People often say, "Is Jesus Christ really the only way to God? What about people who've never heard about Him or read the Bible?" We've studied this before, but it bears repeating. Paul explains it here, the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. But by this same creation, no matter who we are or where we live, He did not leave Himself without witness, because of everything we can see, ...for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:45)
God made sure the Truth got to all people, and He continues to make sure of that up to today. But His creation is the first introduction all people have to His existence, and ...what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead... (Romans 1:19-20) 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. 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)
Everyone knows the Truth, even if they can't clearly articulate it or completely understand it. But not everyone want to believe it, just like these Jews; so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools,... (Romans 1:20-22) But we who are saved, who have believed in Christ Jesus as our Savior and Lord, But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (II Corinthians 4:7-11)
And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 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.” So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. And after they had passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. Now when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed. (Acts 14:21-26)
Being hard-pressed, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down did not stop the apostles and disciples from doing what God commanded them to do, Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,... (Matthew 28:19) And we can't allow the world's reaction to the Truth to stop us either. That's why it's so important to be a part of a church body, a body of God-fearing believers who believe the Word of God and take seriously the commission to go out and witness. (see Why Go to Church) 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. So they stayed there a long time with the disciples. (Acts 14:27-28)
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