Acts Chapter 14

From The Open Bible Project

14:1 It happened in Iconium that they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed.

• (1) We should be no less constant in the preaching of the Gospel than the perversity of the wicked is obstinate in persecuting it.
• (a) Iconium was a city of Lycaonia.

14:2 But the [57] disbelieving [See Acts Footnotes 57] Jews stirred up and embittered the souls of the Gentiles against the brothers.

• (b) Who did not obey the doctrine.

14:3 Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

• (2) We should not leave our places and give in to threatenings, or to open rage, but only when there is no other remedy, and that not for our own peace and quiet, but only so that the Gospel may be spread further abroad.

14:4 But the multitude of the city was divided. Part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

14:5 When some of both the Gentiles and the Jews, with their rulers, made a violent attempt to mistreat and stone them,

14:6 they became aware of it, and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra, Derbe, and the surrounding region.

• (c) It is sometimes proper to flee dangers, at the appropriate times.

14:7 There they preached the Good News.

14:8 At Lystra a certain man sat, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked.

• (3) It is an old subtlety of the devil, either to cause the faithful servants of God to be immediately banished, or to be worshipped as idols: and he does this by taking occasion of miracles which they have done.

14:9 He was listening to Paul speaking, who, fastening eyes on him, and seeing that he had faith to be made whole,

14:10 said with a loud voice, "Stand upright on your feet!" He leaped up and walked.

14:11 When the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the language of Lycaonia, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!"

14:12 They called Barnabas "Jupiter," and Paul "Mercury," because he was the chief speaker.

14:13 The priest of Jupiter, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and would have made a sacrifice along with the multitudes.

• (d) Of the house where Paul and Barnabas were.

14:14 But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their clothes, and sprang into the multitude, crying out,

14:15 "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the sky and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them;

• (4) That is also called idolatry which gives to creatures, be they ever so holy and excellent, that which is proper to the only One God, that is, invocation, or calling upon.
• (e) Men, as you are, and partakers of the very same nature of man as you are.
• (f) He calls idols "vanities", after the manner of the Hebrews.

14:16 who in the generations gone by allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways.

• (5) Custom, be it ever so old, does not excuse the idolaters.
• (g) Allowed them to live as they wished, prescribing and appointing them no type of religion.

14:17 Yet he didn't leave himself without witness, in that he did good and gave [58] you [See Acts Footnotes 58] rains from the sky and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness."

14:18 Even saying these things, they hardly stopped the multitudes from making a sacrifice to them.

14:19 But some Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there, and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.

• (6) The devil, when he is brought to his last chance, at length rages openly, but in vain, even at that time when he seems to have the upper hand.

14:20 But as the disciples stood around him, he rose up, and entered into the city. On the next day he went out with Barnabas to Derbe.

14:21 When they had preached the Good News to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,

• (7) We must go forward in our calling through a thousand deaths.

14:22 confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into the Kingdom of God.

• (8) It is the office of the ministers, not only to teach, but also to confirm those that are taught, and prepare them for the cross.

14:23 When they had appointed elders for them in every assembly, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.

• (9) The apostles committed the churches which they had planted to proper and special pastors, who they appointed not rashly, but with prayers and fastings preceding their choice: neither did they thrust them upon churches through bribery, or lordly superiority, but chose and placed them by the voice of the congregation.

14:24 They passed through Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia.

• (10) Paul and Barnabas, having completed their journey, and having returned to Antioch, give an account of their journey to the congregation or church.

14:25 When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.

• (h) Attalia was a sea city of Pamphylia, near to Lycia.

14:26 From there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled.

• (i) Antioch of Syria.

14:27 When they had arrived, and had gathered the assembly together, they reported all the things that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith to the nations.

14:28 They stayed there with the disciples for a long time.