The apostles understood that through Jesus’ work on the cross and His resurrection, they were now saved by grace through faith. These were new times for the Jews, especially for the Pharisees, who focused on the law. Thus, the reason they were debating was whether Gentiles must first become Jews to be saved. Peter had …
During the debate over the need for circumcision for Gentile believers, James began searching the Scriptures for answers. “James was a brother to Jesus (Matt. 13:55; Gal. 1:19) and the writer of the Epistle of James.[1] During Jesus’ lifetime, we don’t think he believed that his half-brother was the Messiah (John 7:5). He seems to …
God opens doors spiritually, as Paul and Barnabas experienced on their mission trip. Paul and Barnabas, led by the Holy Spirit, retraced their steps to strengthen those they had discipled. Acts 14:24 Then they traveled back through Pisidia to Pamphylia. 25 They preached the word in Perga, then went down to Attalia. 26 Finally, they returned by ship …
Returning to strengthen souls is part of Paul and Barnabas’s first missionary journey. This reveals that God’s mission includes returning to strengthen what He has begun. Acts 14:21 After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia.[1] After facing persecution, rejection, and danger, …
The mission moves forward despite the persecution of Paul and Barnabas. Acts 14: 19 Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. 20 But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into …
The living God versus lifeless idols is a stark contrast! When Eve sinned, she told God she had been deceived. Throughout human history, the enemy has worked to lead people away from God. The scene in Lystra is a startling reminder of this spiritual battle that has left people blind. After witnessing a miracle, the …
God’s mercy pursues misguided people, a theme that begins in Genesis with Adam and Eve and continues throughout the Bible. When Paul and Barnabas are on their mission trip, they minister to the people of Iconium, where, again, a merciful God pursues the lost. When the people of Lystra witness the miraculous healing through Paul …
Miracles confirm the message that Paul and Barnabas preached on their mission trip. These signs served as credentials demonstrating they were the servants of the true God. In Iconium, some, both Jew and Gentile, believed the message, and others did not. Miracles can’t produce conviction or faith on their own. The Gospel message must accompany …
The encouragement of genuine faith is critical for every believer, especially during difficult seasons of ministry, as we see in the story of Paul and Barnabas. Acts 14:1At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed.[1] This moment …
Spirit-filled authority is available to every believer and demonstrated by Paul on the island of Cyprus. Sergius Paulus, the proconsul, wanted to learn more about the Gospel, but an advisor tried to distort its message. Acts 13: 9 Saul, also known as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he looked the sorcerer in the …