First Missionary Journey, Part 2 Acts 14 - Bible Study Workshop

http://www.BibleStudyWorkshop.com1First Missionary Journey, Part 2Acts 14Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.

http://www.BibleStudyWorkshop.com2First Missionary Journey, ConcludedText:Acts 14:1-28,1. At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewishsynagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number ofJews and Gentiles believed.2. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles andpoisoned their minds against the brothers.3. So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speakingboldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace byenabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders.4. The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews,others with the apostles.5. There was a plot afoot among the Gentiles and Jews, togetherwith their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them.6. But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities ofLystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country,7. where they continued to preach the good news.8. In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame frombirth and had never walked.9. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly athim, saw that he had faith to be healed10. and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the manjumped up and began to walk.11. When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in theLycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in humanform!”12. Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes becausehe was the chief speaker.13. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city,brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and thecrowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.

http://www.BibleStudyWorkshop.com314. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they toretheir clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting:15. “Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, humanlike you. We are bringing you good news telling you to turn fromthese worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earthand sea and everything in them.16. In the past, he let all nations go their own way.17. Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shownkindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons;he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”18. Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowdfrom sacrificing to them.19. Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won thecrowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city,thinking he was dead.20. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up andwent back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left forDerbe.21. They preached the good news in that city and won a largenumber of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium andAntioch,22. strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain trueto the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter thekingdom of God,” they said.23. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each churchand, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whomthey had put their trust.24. After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia,25. and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went downto Attalia.26. From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had beencommitted to the grace of God for the work they had nowcompleted.Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.

http://www.BibleStudyWorkshop.com427. On arriving there, they gathered the church together andreported all that God had done through them and how he hadopened the door of faith to the Gentiles.28. And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.Commentary:Acts 14:1, At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into theJewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a greatnumber of Jews and Gentiles believed.I. Paul and Barnabas, soon after their arrival in Iconium, went to theJewish synagogue and preached Jesus.A. Many, both Jews and Gentiles (proselytes), believed the gospel.Those who believed surely obeyed God’s commands as theylearned them from the missionaries.B. Paul and Barnabas spoke most persuasively to the saving ofsouls. May we be able to so speak!II. Iconium’s history dated to prehistoric times but was, during the firstcentury of the Christian era, a part of Roman Galatia.III. Paul’s first missionary journey was confined to Cyprus and Galatia(Phrygia and Lacaonia) and occurred in 45-50 A.D. or thereabout.IV. From Antioch of Pisidia Paul and Barnabas traveled some 90 milesover mountainous terrain to Iconium.V. Paul and Barnabas went to the synagogue, preached, and convertedmany, both Jews and Greeks.Acts 14:2, But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up theGentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.

http://www.BibleStudyWorkshop.com5I. Disobedient Jews; that is, those who did not believe, stirred up theGentiles and turned them against the apostles Paul and Barnabas.A. “Believe” is often used as a synonym for “faith and obedience.”B. John 3:36, Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, butwhoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrathremains on him.II. Right and wrong, God and the devil are always at war.A. On which side are we serving?B. Enemy infiltrators are a major danger to the Lord’s army.Acts 14:3, So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there,speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of hisgrace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders.I. Paul and Barnabas remained in Iconium a “long time” preachingboldly the Lordship of Jesus Christ.A. The Lord bore witness that Paul and Barnabas were working forhim and preaching the truth by miracles and wonders whichthey performed.B. These miracles were surely enough to lessen the oppositionstirred up by the Jews.Acts 14:4, The people of the city were divided; some sided with theJews, others with the apostles.I. The people of Iconium were divided, some were for the apostles andothers were against the “apostles.”Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.

http://www.BibleStudyWorkshop.com6A. Luke 12:51-53, Do you think I came to bring peace on earth?No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five inone family divided against each other, three against two andtwo against three.B. Even today the preaching of the cross drives and draws.C. Human hearts polarize for and against Christ.II. Paul and Barnabas are here called “apostles” as were:A. James the Lord’s brother. Galatians 1:19, I saw none of theother apostles – only James, the Lord’s brother.B. Epaphroditus. Philippians 2:25, But I think it is necessary tosend back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker andfellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent totake care of my needs.C. Silvanus and Timothy. Acts 18:5, When Silas and Timothycame from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively topreaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. 1Thessalonians 2:6, We were not looking for praise from men,not from you or anyone else. As apostles of Christ we couldhave been a burden to you,D. Here, in Acts 14:4, Paul is called an apostle for the first time inScripture.III. Was it the Gospel’s content only or some of Paul’s approaches inpreaching that caused the opposition? Could he have been moreconciliatory?Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.

http://www.BibleStudyWorkshop.com7Acts 14:5-7, There was a plot afoot among the Gentiles and Jews,together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. Butthey found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystraand Derbe and to the surrounding country, where they continued topreach the good news.I. When both Jews with their religious rulers and Gentiles solidified theiropposition to the preaching of Paul and Barnabas and determined toshamefully treat them and stone them, the apostles learned of their plotand fled to the cities of the province of Lycaonia, Lystia and Derbe, andthe surrounding region.II. Paul and Barnabas, as we would have expected, preached the gospelin this pagan land also.III. Lystra was located only 18-20 miles east of Iconium but it was in adifferent political division of Galatia and its people spoke a differentlanguage.Acts 14:8-10, In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who waslame from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul as hewas speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith tobe healed and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the manjumped up and began to walk.I. At Lystra Paul and Barnabas found an impotent (weak) crippled manwho had never walked.A. This man was born crippled.B. The crippled man heard Paul preach and was observed by Paulto have faith to such a degree that he could be healed.C. Faith on the part of the crippled man was here an element in hisbeing healed.Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.

http://www.BibleStudyWorkshop.com8D. Paul in a loud voice commanded the crippled man, “Standupright on your feet!”E. The crippled man immediately obeyed, was healed, leaped upand walked.Acts 14:11, 12, When the crowd saw what Paul had done, theyshouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down tous in human form!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they calledHermes because he was the chief speaker.I. When the multitudes saw this wondrous miracle they shouted in theirown language, “The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.”A. The multitudes called Barnabas Jupiter (Zeus) and PaulMercury (Hermes) because he was the chief speaker.B. Zeus was the patron deity of the Lycaonian country.Acts 14:13, The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside thecity, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and thecrowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.I. The priests of Jupiter whose temple was outside the wall would haveworshiped, done sacrifices to the apostles with oxen and garlands.A. This gives a glimpse into the worship of these pagans.B. These pagans were smart; they tried to join ranks with Paul andBarnabas.C. They would have offered sacrifice to the apostles had they notbeen stopped.Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.

http://www.BibleStudyWorkshop.com9Acts 14:14, But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this,they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting:I. Seeing this impending pagan sacrifice caused Paul and Barnabas greatsorrow even to the rending, tearing of their clothes, a major Jewish signof strong opposition, reaction to an objectionable event such asblasphemy against God.II. Paul and Barnabas, when they became aware of what was takingplace, took immediate steps to stop the sacrifice planned in their honor.III. These apostles really had their work cut out for them!Note: In this verse Barnabas is again mentioned first in conjunction withPaul.Acts 14:15-17, “Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men,human like you. We are bringing you good news telling you to turnfrom these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven andearth and sea and everything in them. In the past, he let all nationsgo their own way. Yet he has not left himself without testimony: Hehas shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops intheir seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills yourhearts with joy.”I. Why do you do these things; that is, make ready to worship us?A. Paul and Barnabas, when they healed the crippled man,certainly did not expect this reaction.B. “We are men just like you,” nothing to be worshiped, Paul toldthe multitude.Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.

http://www.BibleStudyWorkshop.com10II. God:C. “We have come to tell you good news that you should turn fromthese useless pagan practices and turn to the true God whomade heaven and earth,” Paul further said.D. In past generations God allowed all nations to go their ownways religiously, but still during those years blessed them withrains and fruitful seasons attesting to His active interest in thewelfare of all people. God is revealed in nature.A. lives.1. 1 Thessalonians 1:9, for they themselves report what kindof reception you gave us. They tell how you turned toGod from idols to serve the living and true God,2. Romans 3:25, God presented him as a sacrifice ofatonement, through faith in his blood. He did this todemonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he hadleft the sins committed beforehand unpunished –B. created everyone and everything.C. blesses all his creatures out of his boundless grace.Acts 14:18, Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping thecrowd from sacrificing to them.I. It took Paul’s and Barnabas’ best efforts to keep the multitude fromworshiping them.II. Lois, Eunice and Timothy may have been converted at this time atLystra.Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.

http://www.BibleStudyWorkshop.com11A. 2 Timothy 1:5, I have been reminded of your sincere faith,which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your motherEunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.Acts 14:19, Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium andwon the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside thecity, thinking he was dead.I. How fickle can people be!II. After this immense popularity Jewish enemies came to Lystra fromAntioch and Iconiom, a distance of 100 miles, and persuaded themultitude to oppose Paul and Barnabas violently.III. They stoned Paul, dragged him out of town, and dumped him therethinking he was dead.A. Stephen was stoned outside a Jewish city.B. Paul was stoned inside a Gentile city.IV. These were religious Jews! Just being religious won’t saveanybody!Acts 14:20, But after the disciples had gathered around him, he gotup and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas leftfor Derbe.I. As the disciples stood around Paul he revived, rose up and entered intothe city of Lystra.II. The next day Paul and Barnabas left Lystra for Derbe.Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.

http://www.BibleStudyWorkshop.com12III. Why was Paul stoned and not Barnabas? The Jews may haverecognized Paul to be the greater threat to their beliefs than wasBarnabas.IV. It is amazing that Paul could have been stoned one day and thenbegan a journey to Derbe the next day.A. Derbe was some 60 miles from Lystra.Acts 14:21, They preached the good news in that city and won alarge number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconiumand Antioch,I. When Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel in Derbe, many wereconverted.A. Of the Derbe converts only one has come down to us by name,that being Gaius, a later fellow-traveler with Paul.B. Acts 20:4, He ws accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus fromBerea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaiusfrom Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus fromthe province of Asia.II. After having preached the gospel in Derbe, Paul and Barnabas hadthe courage to return to the places that had only relatively recently beenplaces of extreme danger.A. They returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch of Pisidia.B. The apostles returned to these cities to strengthen the newconverts made on their first visits to these cities.Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.

http://www.BibleStudyWorkshop.com13Acts 14:22, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them toremain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships toenter the kingdom of God,” they said.I. Paul confirmed the young disciples; that is, strengthened thoseChristians in their Christian faith and encouraged them to be true to theLord in good times and bad.A. This “confirming the souls of the disciples” had nothing to dowith what is now known as the Sacrament of Confirmation.B. The apostles impressed the disciples with the fact that throughmany tribulations we must get to heaven.C. This admonition was certainly needed for people living in sucha wild, violent, pagan society.D. Matthew 18:7, Woe to the world because of the things thatcause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to theman through whom they come!Acts 14:23, Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in eachchurch and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord,in whom they had put their trust.I. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders in every church to guide thedisciples in the Christian way.A. How much time passed between the establishment of thesechurches and the appointment of elders.II. Paul and Barnabas prayed with each eldership they had appointed andfasted.Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.

http://www.BibleStudyWorkshop.com14III. Paul and Barnabas commended all the disciples to the Lord on whomthey had believed.Acts 14:24, 25, After going through Pisidia, they came intoPamphylia, and when they had preached the word in Perga, theywent down to Attalia.I. Paul and Barnabas passed through the province of Pisidia and came tothe region of Pamphylia.II. After preaching in Perga where they had traveled earlier on thisjourney they came to Attalia.A. Both of these cities were located on rivers which emptied intothe sea.B. Many cities were located in similar situations to protect themfrom pirate raids.C. No results are given of the preaching in Attalia.D. Paul and Barnabas may have traveled to Attalia to better find aship going to Antioch of Syria.Acts 14:26-28, From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where theyhad been committed to the grace of God for the work they had nowcompleted. On arriving there, they gathered the church togetherand reported all that God had done through them and how he hadopened the door of faith to the Gentiles. And they stayed there along time with the disciples.I. Paul and Barnabas sailed for Antioch of Syria from where they hadbeen sent on the journey now reaching its conclusion.Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.

http://www.BibleStudyWorkshop.com15A. How would you have liked to have been present for Paul’s andBarnabas’ work report?B. The grace, favor of God had surely been with them.C. The mission had been a success! God had indeed opened adoor of faith to the Gentiles who had entered the church inconsiderable numbers.D. Several Gentile churches had been established.II. Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch “no little time,” “a long time.”Conclusion:I. This journey covered some 1,300 miles, 500 by water and 800 by land.II. Paul and Barnabas preached faithfully, suffered much and convertedmany.III. What are opportunities we may have to preach the Gospelworldwide?Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.

http://www.BibleStudyWorkshop.com16QuestionsActs 141. At ______________ ________________ and ____________ went asusual into the _______________ _______________. A great number of_______________ and ____________ ________________.2. Paul’s first missionary journey was confined to ______________ and________________ (________________ and _________________) andtook place in _________ to _________ A.D. or thereabout.3. From _________________ of _______________ _______________and ___________________ traveled some _________ miles over_________________ _________________ to __________________.4. The ________________ who refused to ____________ stirred up the_________________ and poisoned their ________________ against the___________________.5. ____________________ and _______________________ stayed in_____________ a long time and did _____________ ______________and _______________.6. The people of __________________ were divided. Some sided withthe _______________________ while others sided with the___________________. Even today the preaching of the cross________________ and ____________________. _________________________________ polarize for or against ____________________.7. How many apostles are mentioned in the New Testament? ________Name them. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.

http://www.BibleStudyWorkshop.com17____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Were some of these apostles higher in rank than others? _______________________________________________________________________8. Had Paul been more conciliatory in his speaking, would theopposition have been less? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________9. A plot was planned by both ____________ and ______________ to___________ _____________________ and ___________________.They fled to the ___________ cities of _____________ and______________ and to the ________________ _______________.They continued to preach the ___________________________________.10. _____________________ was located about _________________ or_________ miles _______________ of ________________, but it waslocated in a different ______________ ____________ of ____________and its ______________ spoke a different ________________.11. A man in _____________________ had been _________________,_________________ from ____________________ and had never__________________. He listened to ________________ as he was__________________. Paul told him, “_________________ up on your_________________!” At that, because he had _______________ to be_________________, the man __________________ up and began to_________________.12. Those who observed this miracle were greatly impressed. Theyshouted, “The ______________ have come down to us in ____________________________!” They called _____________ ____________ andLandmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.

http://www.BibleStudyWorkshop.com18_____________________ _________________ . Why did they givePaul this name? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________13. The priests of ______________ (__________________), the patrondeity of the _________________ country, brought ______________ and__________________ to the __________________ ________________because the priest and the people wanted to offer _________________to ________________ and _________________.14. Compare the behavior of Barnabas and Paul on this occasion withthe behavior of certain prominent religious leaders today? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________15. God ______________, _____________ ___________________ and__________________ and blesses all His _______________ out of his____________________ _________________.16. Give examples of human fickleness, one from verse 19, and othersfrom your experience. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________17. Religious Jews stoned Paul. Is being religious enough to save souls?_____________ Give examples of present day evil being committed byreligious people. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.

http://www.BibleStudyWorkshop.com19____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________18. The apostles’ Jewish enemies came to ____________________ from________________ and _____________ some _______________ milesaway “stirring up trouble.” Describe the biggest trouble makers youhave ever known. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________19. The day after he was ____________ Paul left ______________ andheaded for _____________________ some _________ miles away and______________ the ___________ _____________ in that city and wona __________________ of _________________.20. ___________________ and ___________________ preached in_______________. One of the converts there was _________________who later accompanied Paul on some of his mission journeys.21. After having preached in Derbe Paul and Barnabas returned to_________________, ______________ and ______________ of_________________. What kind of courage did this take? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________22. Why did Paul and Barnabas revisit these cities? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.

http://www.BibleStudyWorkshop.com2023. It has been said, “Really faithful Christians can expect to live atrouble free, prosperous lives.” Is this statement true? Give reasons foryour answer.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________24. Paul appointed ______________ in ____________ ____________.In the appointment process Paul ______________, _____________ and_________________ them to the Lord in whom they had put their_____________. When elders are appointed now does the church fast?_______________ Why or why not? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________25. Paul and Barnabas, from _______________ sailed back to______________ of ______________. Upon their arrival they gatheredthe __________ and _____________ all that ____________ had donethrough them and how he had ________________ the door of_______________ to the ________________.Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.