(མཛད་པ། 14:1-7)

 

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. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 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. But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, and there they continued to preach the gospel. (Acts 14:1-7)

 

Iconium (Konya in modern Turkey) was 90 miles (145 km) east of Pisidian Antioch along the Roman road in the Province of Galatia (See the map posted on November 16). Here again it was Jews, unbelieving ones, who resisted the preaching of the good news.

So Paul and Barnabus moved on another 18 miles (29 km) to the small town of Lystra where there was no Jewish synagogue.

(མཛད་པ། 14:8-18)

 

Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. 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!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 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. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, “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. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 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.” Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them. (Acts 14:8-18)

 

In Lystra there was a story that Zeus, the chief god of the Greeks, and Hermes his son had once visited their village, but had not been recognized at first. So the priest of Zeus did not want the same mistake to be made a second time!

Because most people paid attention in this manner to the miracle, they forgot what Paul had been saying. Their traditional culture caused the meaning of the gospel good news, that  Jesus saves, to be completely hidden from them.

(མཛད་པ། 14:19-23)

 

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. 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. When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 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. 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. (Acts 14:19-23)

 

Stoning was the sentence required by the Jewish law for those who spoke against their religion.

What to say then? Why was it safe for Paul to go back into Lystra afterwards? It was safe because the punishment, having been carried out in the correct way according to the law, was now completed.

Barnabas and Paul – although injured – then continued with the work of making disciples.