Monthly Archives: April 2026

ACTS THE SEQUEL…THE CROWD TURNS NASTY – 32

Bible Study, ,

“In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.”

“From the frying pan into the fire…” You don’t walk into a crowd of pagan people, tell them about Jesus, heal a lame man… and expect them to praise the Lord! Why not? 

The people of Listra were as idolatrous as they come. Of course, who would they give credit to but the gods they worshipped! That did it! The gods, who had never spoken to them or done anything for them, had actually made an appearance…so they thought!This demanded a special celebration…a sacrifice to mark the occasion! 

“When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.”

Paul and Barnabas were horrified. This was something they had never expected. 

“But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them…”

Try as he would, Paul could not convince them that he was only a man, not God. The crowd had no ears for his message. 

“Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.”

0f course, like the Pharisees who perpetually hounded Jesus, there were, inevitably, the fanatically radical, religious Jews in the company, who made mileage of the situation. Before the two missionaries could size up the situation and flee, the stones were flying. The atmosphere changed in an instant from worship to war. 

“Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead.”

Paul…dead! It can’t be! Perhaps it was…but God stepped in. He still had much work for His servant to do. 

“But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.”

Acts‬ ‭14‬:‭8‬-‭15‬, ‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

All in a day’s work. Luke’s account of this incident sounds matter-of-fact. So, the people of Lystra rejected his message. So…they stoned him to death…so, he got up and walked away…as if nothing had happened! This very fact should have started a revival in Lystra…but it didn’t….not according to Luke…

Was this the moment…when Paul was dead…when he saw heaven? 

“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We will never know…but I just wondered. 

To be continued

ACTS THE SEQUEL…MIXED FORTUNES – 31

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A“At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders. The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. There was a plot afoot among both Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, where they continued to preach the gospel.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭14‬:‭1‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The deeper Paul and Barnabas penetrated into Asia Minor, the more the battle lines were drawn. Hell was not pleased with being disturbed by these two champions of truth. For too long, the powers of darkness had held sway in the religious arena. On the one hand, pagan religion with its focus on debauchery… drunkenness…sexual perversion…and all kinds of wickedness…had held the Gentiles captive…and the religious self-righteousness of the Jews on the other hand. 

Truth has a habit of stirring up trouble. Jesus had warned that He had not come to bring peace but a sword. His soldiers would be pitted against the powers of darkness… but they had the assurance that He had already overcome the world…and, what’s more, His peace within them would be a fortress against the world. Now was the time to put His promise to the test. 

The preaching of the gospel had a twofold effect on its audience. Some received the message gladly, believed…both Jews and Greeks…and joined the ranks of the redeemed. Others reacted violently against the truth. The unbelieving Jews led the charge…pouring poison into the minds of those who resisted. 

The influence of the Jewish faction was so powerful that the city was split down the middle. A coalition, formed between Jews and Gentiles who were normally hostile towards one another, turned violent. Satan is never content to fight with words alone. Force is his method to get his way.  Kill those who won’t bend. 

The people of the city of Iconium had made their choice. Some had found life and peace in Jesus. Others had chosen rebellion and violence as their hiding place against truth. Paul and Barnabas found themselves in the centre of the skirmish. They became the target of the hatred against God. 

“Discretion is the better part of valour.” These two pioneer missionaries still had an enormous task ahead. Now was not the time to be foolhardy. They had to beat a hasty retreat, leaving behind a group of new believers who had no background in the Scriptures…no prior knowledge of God or His dealings with people…nothing but a new-found faith in Jesus. 

What would happen to this infant church without mature leaders…without teachers who would guide them in these early days so crucial in cementing their faith? Paul and Barnabas left behind them, not people who had been taught another religious system. but a group of people who had been born of God and who were in His care, in-dwelt by the Holy Spirit who, Jesus promised, would lead them into all truth. 

As always, the work of God is a partnership between the divine and the human. The role of the human is to sow the seed. God’s part is to cause the seed to grow…rooted in Jesus… and nurtured and protected by the Holy Spirit. Since the work of these two men was to sow seed in uncultivated soil, they had to trust the Lord  with the results. 

Once again, they were forced to move on…their time with the new believers cut short by persecution. Iconium had an infant church in the care of the Holy Spirit. A new lamp had been lit in the pagan darkness. There were still vast fields to cultivate…many people ensnared in darkness…waiting for coming of  the light. 

And so they left…trusting the Spirit to do His work as they had done theirs. 

To be continued

ACTS THE SEQUEL…DARK CLOUDS GATHER – 30

Bible Study, ,

“The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭13‬:‭49‬-‭52‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Every picture has its shades of light and dark without which its details would be indistinct and insipid. So, the darkness of systemic persecution began to gather around these two courageous men as the background to their world-changing work. Despite the increasing persecution, first from their own countrymen, the Jews, and then, later, from those representing the Roman government, the  gospel message spread and the church was rooted  and grew in the soil of Asia Minor.  

Against the backdrop of deep spiritual darkness, the light of the gospel began to shine…at first like the feeble light of many candles…but later, with ever-increasing brightness and influence. 

Perhaps, this is my opportunity to inject one of Paul’s greatest spiritual lessons into the narrative at this point. Fleeing from one city to the next to escape the hatred of his Jewish compatriots began to get to him. He was called to take the message of Jesus to the Gentiles but he never excluded his own people despite their opposition. 

However, the Jews were the ones who constantly hindered his ministry. So he prayed, three times, for release from this, what he called, “thorn in the flesh.” 

“…Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Paul had experienced heavenly revelations that were becoming a problem to him…pride! A subtle feeling of superiority, perhaps… Was he starting to feel, somehow, special? His flesh was beginning to rise up so, God had to teach him a lesson that would keep his feet firmly planted on the ground.

Paul knew what a “thorn in the flesh” meant. After Israel’s conquest of Canaan, God was angry with His people because they were worshipping the gods of the Canaanites. 

“So now I declare that I will no longer drive out the people living in your land. They will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a constant temptation to you.”

‭‭Judges‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The gods they worshipped would become a trap to them…idolatry…what God hated the most. 

Was the Lord warning Paul that pride would elevate him to becoming his own idol…a dangerous trap that would drive a wedge between himself and God? 

So God said; “No!” Paul’s bubble needed to be pricked before the damage was done. The message was subtle but clear. 

God’s method of discipline was effective…to keep His servant dependent on Him, He kept him weak through persecution…always having to lean on Him for strength to endure.  

“Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What Paul needed was not freedom from trouble but strength to endure, no matter how difficult the way…relying on God’s grace. In his weakness, Paul traded complaining for gratitude. Every time he faced hatred, opposition, danger, he thanked the Lord for the weakness that made him eligible for His strength. 

Paul’s new attitude, giving thanks in all circumstances, was a powerful antidote to discontent…his passport to victory over the ravages of his flesh. He was learning to ignore the pricks because, cushioned by God’s grace, they no longer hurt him. 

We do well to heed this lesson in  our own lives. God allows situations that drive us to lean on Him, for one important reason. When we are genuinely grateful for the troubles and hardships that keep us weak and humble, we will strengthen the bonds of faith and love that keep us close to Jesus. 

To be continued

ACTS THE SEQUEL…TURNING POINT – 29

Bible Study, ,

“On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him. Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.”

Acts 13:44-45 NIV

Once again, Paul and Barnabas hir a brick wall…fanatical and unbelieving Jews! Rejection! Abuse! The weapons of character assassination! These Jewish opponents revealed the true nature of their hearts. Their words condemned them. 

“When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him.”

Finally…the Holy Spirit was making clear to these two pioneer missionaries that their target was to be the Gentile world…no less difficult or hostile than the Jews but the field in which He had called them to labour. These Gentile people were cemented in pagan religion… superstition…witchcraft…the realm of demonic activity…and delusion. 

The Greek and Roman world had no background knowledge of God’s dealings with them. They had no experience of a covenant commitment to the only true God…of a history of the God who had revealed Himself to them…given them His instructions for life and made them His representatives among the nations. 

Theses pagans lived in fear of gods that could do great harm to them if they did not appease them…offer sacrifice to them…do rituals for them. They could also manipulate these gods to do what they wanted. Their gods were the product of human imagination…at its worst!

The  Caesars themselves demanded worship as God and, if their subjects disobeyed, could condemn them to die in the most cruel and horrible way…to entertain the bloodthirsty citizens. 

Into this pagan and hopeless arena, Paul and Barnabas plunged, armed with the Holy Spirit and truth. God had called them…and they obeyed with whole-hearted zeal , knowing that He would not fail them. 

What follows was nothing short of miraculous. The Gentiles responded to the gospel with gladness and faith. Their introduction to Jesus as a loving and forgiving Saviour brought relief and joy to their tormented  souls. They were not eaten up with self-righteousness. They were grateful for God’s peace in their hearts as they opened up to truth. 

“When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord…

‭‭Acts‬ ‭13‬:‭48‬a NIV‬‬

Then Luke added a Holy Spirit-inspired comment that has had scholars and believers puzzled down the centuries…

“…and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭13‬:‭48‬b NIV‬‬

Luke, in partnership with the Holy Spirit, revealed that the heavenly “selection committee” was at work…choosing for Himself, from among the Gentiles, the living stones that would be built into His holy temple along with the Jews who recognised and surrendered to Jesus as their Messiah and Lord. 

This introduction to the Gentile ministry must have encouraged Paul and Barnabas after the rough treatment they had received from their fellow countrymen. So…they continued to seek out the Gentiles who would, in the end, also give them a mixed reception. 

To be continued

ACTS THE SEQUEL – ON TO ASIA MINOR – 28

Bible Study, ,

“From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem.”

John Mark? By this time, he had had enough! What got to him we don’t know. Perhaps it was the hardships of missionary life…perhaps the clashes with enemy forces…perhaps it wasn’t what he expected… or, perhaps it was the rigours of traveling with men driven by a passion for Jesus which he did not share. Whatever it was, he quit…and Paul didn’t like quitters!

“From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.” Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: “Fellow Israelites and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me!”

What an opportunity! Handed to Paul on a platter! As usual, the missionaries went first to the synagogue. They were testing the waters…the Jews first. Like Stephen, Paul began with a resume of Israel’s history, culminating with Jesus, the core of the story of God’s covenant people. Perhaps these Jews had forgotten their heritage and their place in God’s eternal plan. Perhaps life in the thick of pagan society had diluted the awareness of who they were. So, Paul reminded them of who they were or who they were supposed to be. 

 “Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. “We tell you the good news: What God promised our ancestors he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: “ ‘You are my son; today I have become your father.’ God raised him from the dead so that he will never be subject to decay. As God has said, “ ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’ “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.”

That got their attention! The people were interested. They wanted more. Some believed! Another flame was lit…in Asia Minor. 

At first, Paul and Barnabas received a friendly hearing…

“As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭13‬:‭13‬-‭16‬, ‭26‬, ‭32‬-‭34‬, ‭38‬, ‭42‬-‭43‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Until…

To be continued