Bible Studies

Acts Chapter 14, Going Where The Gospel Is Welcome

by John Clark 
11/04/16
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Paul and Barnabas were in the town of Iconium. Many people were responding to the gospel but, as noted in the previous chapter, some Jews were stirring up trouble. The crowd became divided, some with the Jews and some with the apostles. Paul and Barnabas became aware of an attempt to stone them, so they fled to another city where they "continued to preach the gospel" (vs. 7).

     In Lystra Paul came upon a lame man whom "he fixed his gaze upon." Several times in Acts this phrase is used. What is the significance of it? From research in previous chapters it means that Paul gave very focused thought. In keeping with this, my thinking is that Paul believed God was going to heal this person so he gave it his undivided attention. When he "had seen that he had faith to be made well" he said...'Stand upright on your feet.'" The man began to walk. (verses 8-10) When Paul saw a need he met it right on the spot. 

     The people viewed Paul as a god and even wanted to offer sacrifices. He put a stop to that, saying in verse 15, "Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men as the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you in order that you should turn from these vain things to a living God..." 

     The next verse does not seem to fit with the context but is very significant. It is what one might call a "stand alone verse," meaning that it needs no explanation nor context. It reads, "And in the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways." This verse says a lot about God's plan for the ages. It also says that he deals with each nation independently based upon the choices made to acknowledge God, according to the free will of humanity and government. All nations have had ample time to acknowledge his "witness" (17).

     What do verses 16 and 17 have to do with this chapter? My personal belief is that Paul is saying to the people gathered that they have gone their own way apart from God, and therefore do not see God at work, but would rather give man the glory. So it is with all nations today, including America. 

      Verse 19 begins a new section. The trouble-making Jews were actually following Paul around. They stoned him and "dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead" (19). He rose up and went to another city. Interesting enough, one of the places he went back to was Iconium where he had previously encountered trouble, "strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith..." He told them, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God" (19). This totally goes against prosperity theology, doesn't it. 

     Elders were apppointed for every church, and Paul and Barnabas traveled from town to town and "began to report all things that God had done with them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles" (27).

     APPLICATION QUESTION:

     1. How often do you and I recognize and meet people's needs right where they are?

     2. Have you ever been in a situation where you knew that God did something, but others wanted to give the glory to people?

     3. Christians even in the U.S. are beginning to experience trouble just for being a Christian. Do you know any who are? How can you encourage and support them?

     4. To what extent has America, supposedly "one nation under God," gone its own way apart from God, and how much is the gospel still welcome?