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 …
The Gospel is received and rejected in Pisidian Antioch. Paul’s first sermon had sparked curiosity, and by the second week, the synagogue was filled to overflowing. More than likely, the unusual turnout was due to an influx of curious Gentiles. The Jewish attendance would have been fairly constant. But the people’s response may not have …
A hunger for God is a true blessing. It reflects a heart that is open to the Holy Spirit and receptive to His Word. The ministry of Paul and Barnabas beautifully illustrates this. During this trip, something remarkable began to unfold. Acts 13:42 As Paul and Barnabas left the synagogue that day, the people begged them …
Paul concluded his message in Pisidian Antioch with a sobering caution: Don’t miss what God is doing in your midst. Acts 13:40 Be careful! Don’t let the prophets’ words apply to you.[1] He then quoted Habakkuk, a prophet in the Old Testament who warned God’s people that judgment was coming, yet they refused to believe it. …
At some level, the father of a demon-possessed boy understood that it takes faith to deal with the spiritual forces. Mark 9: 23 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” 24 The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” [1] He had …
The struggle with unbelief is common both in Jesus’ time and today, providing insight into people’s hearts. When Jesus was brought to the temple in Jerusalem as an infant for the purification offering, an elderly man named Simeon met them. As he held the child in his arms, he spoke prophetic words about His future. …