362. PERSECUTION IN GALATIA
"We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom"
In the latter years of the Apostle Paul's life he wrote to Timothy con cerning the work of preaching the Truth. Reflecting upon his life's ex periences, he especially remembered the bitterness of the opposition he found in the Galatian cities ". . . persecutions, afflictions which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra. . .". Again, when writing to the Corinthians he states, "Once was I stoned". It was at the town of Lystra that this event occurred. So in this lesson we see the apostles in the fires of controversy on behalf of the Name of Christ.
In this lesson our aim is to take courage from the apostles' faithful perseverence, rejoice with them in the deliverance that God provided, and admire them for the thorough and sound way they established the ec-clesias in the faith.
Acts 14
A LONG TIME IN ICONIUM (Acts 14:1-6).
After being expelled from Antioch at the instigation of the Jews, Paul and Barnabas made their way to Iconium which, like Antioch, was on the main trade route, some 150 kilometres to the east. According to the prin ciple, "to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile", they visited the synagogue. There a great multitude of Jews and Gentiles believed. The situation in Iconium was similar to that in Antioch where a large number of proselytes from the Gentiles worshipped at the synagogue, and through this means heard the apostles speak (cp. Acts 13:42, 44). Again the jealousy of the unbelieving Jews thwarted the preaching work (cp. 13:45, 50). The influence exerted by the relatively small Jewish com munities in the cities of the Roman world is a feature of the Book of Acts (cp. 14:5,19; 17:5, 13). Judaism had attracted a large number of "devout women", among whom were often found the wives of the principal men of the cities (e.g. 13:50; 17:4, 12). Whilst this sometimes brought a back lash of hatred upon them, it also added to their influence. We shall see further evidence of this influence in this chapter.
Some months were spent in Iconium and the Lord Jesus Christ sup ported their preaching by granting miraculous power to the apostles. Their preaching is described as "the word of his grace"; that is, salvation through the grace of God, given upon their faith in Christ. "By grace are ye saved through faith", Paul writes (Eph. 2:8), in sharp distinction to the Jewish doctrine of justification through works of law (cp. Acts 13:39). The miracles from the Lord confirmed beyond dispute that the Apostles' word had God's approval (cp. Gal. 3:5).
Nevertheless the unbelieving Jews were successful in dividing the public's response to the Gospel of Christ. Some of the rulers of the city corroborated with the Jews to bring about a riot against the apostles with the object in mind of stoning them to death. However, news of their in tentions reached Paul and Barnabas, and they hastened to other cities, in accord with the advice of Christ (Matt. 10:23). As Paul fled from the city he must have reflected upon his own treatment of Stephen, who died by stoning when he and his fellow-Jews "could not resist the wisdom and power with which he spoke". Now the suffering he gave others was recoiling upon his own head (Acts 9:16; 7:58).
HEALING THE LAME MAN IN LYSTRA (Acts 14:6-10).
Lystra was 27 kilometres from Iconium and, with Derbe, belonged to a more primitive area called Lycaonia. The Gospel was preached there but without much success. The people were barbarian, though Roman col onisation had by then made quite an impression. Neither Lystra nor Derbe seem to have had a Jewish synagogue, so for the first time the apostles commenced their preaching work in a purely Gentile setting.
Interest in Paul's message was greatly increased by a startling miracle of healing. There was a man in Lystra who had been lame from birth. He was prudent and as he hearkened to the words of the apostles he became convinced of their truth. Paul perceived the faith of this man and was minded to heal him. With a loud voice he proclaimed, "Stand upright on thy feet!" Immediately he was healed, and he leaped and walked. In the streets of Lystra there had now been seen the same power that gave joy at the pool of Bethesda (Jn. 5:8-9), and later, at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple (Acts 3:7-9).
THE APOSTLES HONOURED (Acts 14:11-14).
The barbarians were incredulous. Never had a miracle been witnessed in their city and so they ascribed it unto their "gods", who had come to them in the human forms of Barnabas and Paul! The city was regarded as being under the protection of 'Zeus' (RV) or Jupiter (the Roman name), the chief of the gods, whose messenger was 'Hermes' (RV) or Mercury. From verse 13 it seems that a temple to Zeus had been erected outside the city. So Barnabas was called Jupiter for in the peoples' eyes he more closely resembled their image of Jupiter, while Paul fitted the role of speaker on behalf of Jupiter, so was called Mercury (v.12).
So great was the impact upon the people of Lystra that a sacrificial procession was organised and was now proceeding to the gates of the city to make offering unto the apostles! The Lycaonians had their own language, and until now Paul and Barnabas had not understood their in tention. They were shocked to discover that the miracle intended to ad vance the cause of Christ was now being used to promote paganism! The apostles acted swiftly. They rent their clothes and ran in among the peo ple crying out their protest against this ignorant sacrilege.
PREACHING TO PAGANS (Acts 14:15-18).
It is interesting to note the contrast between the brief speech to these pagans and the longer address in the synagogue of the Jews in Antioch (ch. 13). Although the Old Testament forms the basis of his words, there is no reference to it or to the history of Israel as these people knew nothing of them. Nevertheless the apostles appealed to the works of crea tion, where the wisdom and power of God combine so beautifully to declare His glory to all men. The speech has the following main points:
- Paul and Barnabas were not gods, but "men of like passions with you".
- The power they had exercised in healing the lame man was from the living God (cp. 3:12-16).
- Their mission was to preach that men should turn from futile idolatry to the living God.
- The living God was the Creator, who made heaven and earth and the sea and all living creatures in them (Psa. 146:6; Acts 17:25-28).
- In earlier times God had allowed the nations to go their own way, for He had revealed Himself only unto Israel (Psa. 147:19-20; Amos 3:2), but now was appealing to all peoples (cp. Acts 17:30).
6. Yet the evidence of the One Creator they were now called upon to worship, was always there in the ordered cycle of the seasons, where rain and sunshine brought abundant harvests to mankind to satisfy their needs and cause them joy of heart (Psa. 104:13-15, 27-28). Receiving such kindness from the living God, it was incumbent upon man to respond to His love (cp. Rom. 1:18-20).
This appeal was therefore directed to those natural evidences of God's hand, which were familiar to them. Often their own religious festivals, with feasting and gladness, were expressions of gratitude for the harvest of the earth (cp. Psa. 24:1). Thus Paul appealed to them to recognise the true source of such gifts.
STONED AT LYSTRA (Acts 14:19-20).
Some short time later a number of Jews from Antioch and Iconium ar rived on the scene. They sensed the resentment of the people against the apostles and quickly used the opportunity to stir up a violent attack against the preachers. The emotions of the Lycaonians were aroused and Paul was stoned. He lost consciousness and they dragged him out of the city "supposing he had been dead". Having failed to destroy Paul in Iconium, they thought they had succeeded in Lystra (cp. v.5).
Verse 20 introduced us to the disciples of Lystra. The preaching of the apostles had been blessed and a number of humble disciples had been baptised into the saving Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now they stood in horror and grief over the blood-stained body of the one who had brought them the message of love and life. With great boldness and loyal ty the disciples stood about the prostrate and lifeless body of the apostle they loved and admired. Then remarkably they saw him stir and rise up on to his feet. It must have been like witnessing the resurrection; his bat tered, bruised body filled with life and became active once more through the power of God (cp. Gal. 3:1). With unquenchable determina tion, Paul led the disciples back into the city, and after spending one further evening with them, departed for Derbe.
TIMOTHY € A SON IN THE FAITH.
Timothy was already a disciple when Paul came to Lystra on his second visit (16:1). Paul terms him "my own son in the faith" (1 Tim. 1:2), which means that Paul must have converted Timothy on this first visit to Lystra. Very probably the young man Timothy was among the disciples that stood around the stoned body of their friend. With what power would Paul's later words come home to this young man: "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ . . . thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffer-ing, charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra: what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me." (2 Tim. 2:3; 3:10-11).
In witnessing the power of the Lord triumph in the face of opposition and persecution, the young man Timothy saw an inspiring example which he never forgot; his dedication to the Gospel in later years shows this to be so.
THE VISIT TO DERBE (Acts 14:20-21).
Derbe was another town of the region of Lycaonia and some 65 kilometres east of Lystra. Many people became discpies here. Notable among them was Gaius, who later became one of Paul's travelling com panions and a representative of the ecclesias of Galatia (20:4).
CONFIRMING THE BELIEVERS (Acts 14:22-24).
With the work at Derbe completed, the apostles felt the need to revisit and consolidate the ecclesias established during the course of their journey. Thus, Paul and Barnabas retraced their steps through Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, undaunted by the opposition and persecution they had experienced at most of the centres during their forward journey (cp. 2 Tim. 3:11). The apostles knew that those who had newly been con verted to the Gospel of Christ needed to be given further instruction in the things of God. It was this aspect of the work that received their atten tion on their return journey. Paul's own experiences illustrated his exhor tation that they must "continue in the faith" whatever the opposition; he told them "we must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God" (v.22).
The same warning and exhortation has been passed on to us (Rom. 8:17; 1 Thess. 3:4; 2 Tim. 1:8; 2:11, 12; 1 Pet. 4:12-16; Rev. 7:14). The tribulations we are called on to endure may not take the same form as Paul's, but they exist nonetheless, only in a more subtle guise (cp. 2 Tim. 3:1-5; Lk. 21:34-36). Whatever the pressures may be, they can be suc cessfully overcome by building up within ourselves our defence € faith in God and His Word.
HOME TO SYRIAN ANTIOCH (Acts 14:25-28).
From Antioch in Pisidia the brethren made their way via Perga, where they preached the Word (having only passed through on their forward journey), and Attalia, its seaport, and then they sailed to Antioch. Upon their arrival, the ecclesia was gathered together and received with interest the report from Paul and Barnabas concerning their journey. Approx imately two years had passed since they left and there was much to tell. They had endured great sufferings, but they were able to rejoice with the ecclesia in the knowledge that "God had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles".
LESSONS FOR US:
- Those who preach the Word cannot expect armchair comforts. The Truth demands activity and sacrifice.
- The preacher of the Gospel must adapt his approach according to the background knowledge and circumstances of his audience.
- The wonderful cycle of the seasons is a silent yet eloquent witness to the existence of the only Living God. Men therefore have no excuse for rejecting God.
- Young men and women are wise to take to themselves the example of faithful brethren.
- The road to the Kingdom is not an easy route: "We must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God". But faith can con quer opposition and convey us forward, despite sickness or the in juries of spiteful men.
REFERENCE LIBRARY:
"The Story of the Bible" (H. P. Mansfield) € Vol. 13, Pages 110-119
"The Letter to the Galatians" (J. Carter) € Pages 61-62
"Paul the Apostle" (W. H. Boulton) € Chapter 7
"Paul: The Traveller and Roman Citizen" (Ramsay) € Pages 107-124
PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:
- What kind of people lived in the region of Lycaonia? What did they think of Paul and Barnabas?
- The people ofLystra knew neither the Old Testament nor the history of Israel. How then did Paul show to them the existence of God?
- Where was Paul stoned and how did this come about?
- What was the main purpose in Paul and Barnabas retracing their steps during their first journey to Galatia?
ESSAY QUESTIONS:
1. "We must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God" how does Paul and Barnabas' journey illustrate the meaning of this principle.
2 Outline the main points of the apostles' address to the idolatrous people of Lystra. What do we learn from them?
3. Briefly recount the events that took place on Paul's first mis sionary journey.