Acts 14: Polarized Reaction!

Acts 14 Polarized Reaction

In Iconium

[Act 14:1 ESV] Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.

[Act 14:2 ESV] But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.

[Act 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.

[Act 14:4 ESV] But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles.

[Act 14:5 ESV] When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them,

[Act 14:6 ESV] they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country,

[Act 14:7 ESV] and there they continued to preach the gospel.

A Sign of God Misunderstood. 

[Act 14:8 ESV] Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked.

[Act 14:9 ESV] He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well,

[Act 14:10 ESV] said in a loud voice, "Stand upright on your feet." And he sprang up and began walking.

[Act 14:11 ESV] And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!"

[Act 14:12 ESV] Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.

[Act 14:13 ESV] And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.

[Act 14:14 ESV] But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out,

[Act 14:15 ESV] "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.

[Act 14:16 ESV] In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways.

[Act 14:17 ESV] Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness."

[Act 14:18 ESV] Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.

[Act 14:19 ESV] But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.

[Act 14:20 ESV] But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.

[Act 14:21 ESV] When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,

[Act 14:22 ESV] strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

[Act 14:23 ESV] And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

[Act 14:24 ESV] Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia.

[Act 14:25 ESV] And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia,

[Act 14:26 ESV] and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled.

[Act 14:27 ESV] And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

[Act 14:28 ESV] And they remained no little time with the disciples.