Acts 14: Paul Stoned at Lystra (1st Missionary Journey)
- Iconium: 90 miles to the East on a well-traveled Roman road
- Iconium: The largest and most important city in Asia Minor
- Greek word eikon (image) we get our word icon.
- Spoke in the synagogue: large # people believed
- Jews who disbelieved stirred up the Gentiles mind against them
- Therefore, they spent a long time there!
- Normal reaction would be to leave when opposition is strong
- The preaching of the Gospel separates people…some believe and accept the Gospel others disbelieve and reject it.
- Jewish rulers sought to mistreat and stone them…they left for the regions around Lycaonia, Lystra, and Derbe
- Matt.10.23: “when they persecute you in one city, flee to the next…”
- Lycaonia: is translated “wolf country.”
- Lystra: about 20 miles southwest of Iconium (small insignificant city)
- Timothy was a native of Lystra (16. 1, 2). See 2 Tim.3.11).
- See Gal. 6.17; 2 Cor.11.23-26.
- The Lord’s church was established there (v.20, 21, and 23).
- They healed a lame man who was crippled since his birth.
- Compare Acts 3 with this case; this man had faith and the one in Acts 3 does not appear to have had faith prior to his healing.
- The crowds said, “The gods have become like men and have come down to us.”
- Archaeologists have confirmed that the people of Lystra worshipped Zeus and Hermes (Greek names).
- Paul and Barnabas reaction: they tore (grief and dismay) their clothes; why are you doing these things? We also are men just like you!
- Paul’s sermon: V. 15 – 19
- People wanted to sacrifice to them
- Jews came and stirred up the crowd…dragged out Paul and stoned him. Paul, no doubt remembered Stephen from Acts 7.
- Timothy could have been there witnessing the event (See 2 Tim.1. 3, 4).
- Disciples gathered around: he rose up and went into the city.
- (See 2 Tim.1. 7, 8); (2 Tim.3.10, 11).
- The next day he departed with Barnabas and went to Derbe. 60 mile journey one day after being stoned!
- Not hard to imagine that night that the disciples ministered to Paul by washing and dressing his wounds while comforting voices encouraged him.
- Derbe: They preached the Gospel…made many disciples.
- 60 miles SE of Lystra (Gaius of Derbe mentioned in Acts 20.4).
- Paul would visit again on 2nd journey (16.1).
- Return Trip Home:
- Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch
- They strengthened and exhorted them to remain faithful to God in spite of many tribulations. (Same message to us today).
- They appointed elders in every church (v.23).
- They passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia; spoke the word in Perga, and went to Attalia and then sailed home to Antioch in Syria.
- They recounted all that God had done with them on their long journey.
- They spent a long time with the disciples there.
- 1st missionary journey concluded.