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.