Perseverance, Miracles, and the Call to True Worship

 

Summary

In Acts 14, we witness the apostles Paul and Barnabas as they continue their missionary journey, facing both acceptance and opposition. In Iconium, they preach in the synagogue, and many Jews and Greeks believe. However, unbelieving Jews stir up the Gentiles, poisoning their minds against the apostles. Despite this, Paul and Barnabas remain steadfast, speaking boldly and performing signs and wonders as a testament to God's grace. The city becomes divided, and when a violent attempt is made against them, they flee to Lystra and Derbe, continuing to preach the gospel.

In Lystra, Paul heals a man crippled from birth, which leads the people to mistakenly identify Paul and Barnabas as gods, calling them Hermes and Zeus. The apostles vehemently reject this idolatry, urging the people to turn from these "useless things" to the living God, the Creator of all. This incident highlights the human tendency towards idolatry and superstition, a theme that resonates throughout history and remains relevant today.

The narrative also touches on the historical accuracy of the Scriptures, as demonstrated by Sir William Ramsay's archaeological findings, which affirmed the precision of Luke's account in Acts. This serves as a reminder of the reliability of the biblical text and the importance of grounding our faith in truth rather than myth or superstition.

Paul's message in Lystra is a call to recognize the living God, who provides for us through His creation and has revealed Himself through Jesus Christ. This call to abandon idolatry and embrace the truth of the gospel is as pertinent now as it was then, urging us to examine our own hearts for any remnants of idolatry or superstition.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Perseverance: Despite opposition and attempts to silence them, Paul and Barnabas continue to preach boldly, demonstrating the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity. Their steadfastness is a testament to their faith and commitment to God's mission. [01:01]

2. Miracles as Divine Authentication: The signs and wonders performed by the apostles serve as divine authentication of their message. Miracles in the early church were not just acts of compassion but were meant to confirm the authority and truth of the gospel. [06:13]

3. The Danger of Idolatry and Superstition: The reaction of the people in Lystra, who mistake Paul and Barnabas for gods, underscores the human tendency towards idolatry and superstition. This serves as a cautionary tale for us to examine our own lives for any misplaced devotion or reliance on anything other than God. [15:15]

4. Historical Reliability of Scripture: The account of Sir William Ramsay's archaeological findings affirms the historical accuracy of the Bible. This encourages us to trust in the reliability of Scripture as a foundation for our faith. [09:44]

5. The Call to Worship the Living God: Paul’s exhortation to the people of Lystra to turn from idols to the living God is a timeless call to recognize and worship the Creator. It challenges us to abandon any false beliefs and embrace the truth of the gospel. [22:32]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:23] - Arrival in Iconium
- [01:01] - Opposition and Perseverance
- [01:48] - Miracle in Lystra
- [02:28] - Misunderstanding and Idolatry
- [03:09] - Prayer for Understanding
- [03:58] - The Same Old Story
- [04:45] - Division and Miracles
- [06:13] - Divine Authentication
- [06:54] - Fleeing to Lystra and Derbe
- [07:37] - Historical Accuracy of Acts
- [09:44] - Sir William Ramsay's Discovery
- [10:29] - Healing the Crippled Man
- [11:44] - Paul's Apostolic Authority
- [12:27] - The Gods Among Us
- [15:15] - Idolatry and Superstition
- [22:32] - Turning to the Living God
- [24:14] - Conclusion and Reflection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Acts 14

Bible Reading:
- Acts 14:1-18

Observation Questions:
1. What were the reactions of the people in Iconium to the preaching of Paul and Barnabas, and how did this affect their mission? [00:23]
2. Describe the miracle that Paul performed in Lystra and the people's reaction to it. [01:48]
3. How did Paul and Barnabas respond to being mistaken for gods, and what message did they convey to the people of Lystra? [02:28]
4. What historical evidence did Sir William Ramsay find that supports the accuracy of Luke's account in Acts? [09:44]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the perseverance of Paul and Barnabas in the face of opposition serve as an example for believers today? [01:01]
2. In what ways do the miracles performed by the apostles serve as divine authentication of their message, and how does this relate to the authority of the gospel? [06:13]
3. What does the incident in Lystra reveal about the human tendency towards idolatry and superstition, and how is this relevant to contemporary society? [15:15]
4. How does the historical reliability of Scripture, as demonstrated by archaeological findings, impact our trust in the Bible as a foundation for faith? [09:44]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you faced opposition in your faith journey. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Paul and Barnabas's example of perseverance? [01:01]
2. Consider the role of miracles in your understanding of faith. How do you perceive the relationship between miracles and the authority of the gospel message? [06:13]
3. Identify any "useless things" or idols in your life that may be hindering your relationship with God. What steps can you take to turn away from them and focus on the living God? [21:52]
4. How can you apply the lesson of historical reliability of Scripture to strengthen your faith and witness to others? [09:44]
5. In what ways can you actively worship the living God in your daily life, and how can you encourage others to do the same? [22:32]
6. Think about a situation where you might have relied on superstition rather than faith. How can you shift your mindset to trust in God's providence instead? [23:23]
7. How can you use the story of Paul and Barnabas in Lystra to engage in conversations about faith with those who may have misconceptions about Christianity? [20:52]

Devotional

Day 1: Perseverance in Adversity
Paul and Barnabas faced significant opposition during their missionary journey, yet they remained steadfast in their mission. In Iconium, despite the division and hostility stirred by unbelieving Jews, they continued to speak boldly, performing signs and wonders as a testament to God's grace. Their perseverance in the face of adversity is a powerful example of unwavering faith and commitment to God's mission. This teaches us the importance of standing firm in our beliefs, even when faced with challenges and opposition. [01:01]

Acts 14:3 (ESV): "So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands."

Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you draw strength from God to persevere and remain faithful in this situation today?


Day 2: Miracles as a Testament to Truth
The miracles performed by Paul and Barnabas were not merely acts of compassion but served as divine authentication of their message. These signs and wonders confirmed the authority and truth of the gospel they preached. In the early church, miracles were a powerful testament to God's presence and the validity of the apostles' teachings. This reminds us that God's power is often revealed in extraordinary ways to affirm His truth and encourage belief. [06:13]

Hebrews 2:3-4 (ESV): "It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you witnessed or heard about a miraculous event. How did it impact your faith and understanding of God's power?


Day 3: The Perils of Idolatry and Superstition
In Lystra, the people mistook Paul and Barnabas for gods, calling them Hermes and Zeus. This incident highlights the human tendency towards idolatry and superstition, a theme that resonates throughout history. The apostles rejected this idolatry, urging the people to turn to the living God. This serves as a cautionary tale for us to examine our own lives for any misplaced devotion or reliance on anything other than God. [15:15]

1 Corinthians 10:14-15 (ESV): "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say."

Reflection: Identify something in your life that you may be placing above God. What steps can you take today to realign your focus and devotion to Him?


Day 4: Trusting the Historical Reliability of Scripture
The account of Sir William Ramsay's archaeological findings affirms the historical accuracy of the Bible, particularly the book of Acts. This encourages us to trust in the reliability of Scripture as a foundation for our faith. Knowing that the Bible is historically accurate strengthens our confidence in its teachings and promises. It is crucial to ground our faith in truth rather than myth or superstition. [09:44]

2 Peter 1:20-21 (ESV): "Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."

Reflection: How does knowing the historical reliability of Scripture impact your faith? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding and trust in the Bible?


Day 5: Worshiping the Living God
Paul’s exhortation to the people of Lystra to turn from idols to the living God is a timeless call to recognize and worship the Creator. He emphasizes that God provides for us through His creation and has revealed Himself through Jesus Christ. This call challenges us to abandon any false beliefs and embrace the truth of the gospel. It is a reminder to worship the living God, who is the source of all life and truth. [22:32]

Jeremiah 10:10-11 (ESV): "But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation. Thus shall you say to them: 'The gods who did not make the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under the heavens.'"

Reflection: Consider any beliefs or practices in your life that may not align with the truth of the gospel. How can you actively turn towards worshiping the living God in your daily life?

Quotes


"Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews and so spoke that a great multitude, both of the Jews and of the Greeks, believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. 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." [00:00:16]

"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.'" [00:02:16]

"Again, O Lord, we ask that You would give us ears to hear, hearts to understand and embrace the truths that were proclaimed in Lystra and Derbe by Barnabas and Paul, and that we may learn from this narrative that You've included in sacred Scripture those things we need to know for our edification and those things from which we must every day flee with all of our might." [00:03:19]

"So, the story goes on here in chapter 14 with the same kind of reaction. But we are told in verse 3 that in spite of this opposition, 'Paul and Barnabas stayed there for a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to His word of grace,' by doing what? 'Granting signs and wonders by the hands of the apostles.'" [00:05:38]

"Now again, this is a theme that redounds in the book of Acts and throughout the New Testament that the chief purpose of the performance of miracles in the early church was God's way of authenticating His spokesmen, His agents of revelation, even as He had done for the prophets in the Old Testament." [00:06:07]

"Now in England, there was a noted scholar of historical studies and biblical studies, Sir William Ramsay, who had been trained in nineteenth century liberalism. And he wanted to undertake physical, empirical studies of the so-called facts set forth by Luke in the book of Acts. And so, he made a journey to Palestine and then to Asia Minor, following the footsteps of the Apostle Paul, going to every region, every city that is mentioned in the book of Acts." [00:08:21]

"And using the archaeologist's spade, it seemed like every time he turned over a shovel of dirt, he found something that would verify the historical accuracy of Luke. Now, he went there as an unbeliever, as a sceptic, trying to disprove the Bible. And he came to this passage in Acts, where everybody knew it was an error because the two cities of Lystra and Derbe were not in the same province." [00:09:03]

"And he senses that this is a man who is about to respond in faith, and he gives the command, 'Stand up,' and the man leaps to his feet. But what follows is also central to the narrative. As a result of this miracle, multitudes of people are overwhelmed and they are convinced that they have now just seen a new visitation of the gods from Mount Olympus into the midst of their community." [00:11:52]

"But we also notice that in the ancient world that the Olympian gods and goddesses each had specific functions to take care of among the people. There was a god of war, a god of peace, a god of love, a god of wisdom, a god of the harvest, a god for this, and a god for that. And you would think that by later history that would all disappear once Christianity conquered the paganism of the ancient world." [00:13:58]

"All of this is rooted and grounded in two things, friends, idolatry and superstition. And I don't want to be unkind to the Greeks or to the Romans or even to the Roman Catholics, because this tendency and proclivity for superstition and idolatry is one of the most deeply rooted defects in the fallen, corrupt human heart." [00:15:42]

"And so, these gods are maltreated until they come to this elderly family. The husband's name was Philemon, the same name as we find in the runaway slave that Paul writes to later on in the New Testament. But this elderly couple, not knowing who they were, welcome them into their humble abode, share the meager substance that they have with their visitors and show great hospitality." [00:18:45]

"Again, why do people do that? They did it because in their hearts they were idolaters from the beginning, because the preference of fallen humanity is to exchange the truth of God for a lie and serve the creature rather than the creator. And they did it because they're superstitious." [00:22:51]

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Transcript
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