November 2

Acts 14:1-18

The same thing occurred in Iconium, where Paul and Barnabas went into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks became believers. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace by granting signs and wonders to be done through them. 4 But the residents of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. 5 And when an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 6 the apostles learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country; 7 and there they continued proclaiming the good news. 8 In Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet and had never walked, for he had been crippled from birth. 9 He listened to Paul as he was speaking. And Paul, looking at him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10 said in a loud voice, "Stand upright on your feet." And the man sprang up and began to walk. 11 When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have come down to us in human form!" 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates; he and the crowds wanted to offer sacrifice. 14 When the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting, 15 "Friends, why are you doing this? We are mortals just like you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these worthless things to the 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 follow their own ways; 17 yet he has not left himself without a witness in doing good-- giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filling you with food and your hearts with joy." 18 Even with these words, they scarcely restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.
The proclamation of the gospel is now becoming divisive. In the early chapters of Acts we see the gospel being received with joy and enthusiasm. The early opposition is from the religious leadership in the temple. It the mission of the apostles moves from the temple to the synagogue and from Jerusalem to the surrounding territories. Now the opposition is moving into the cities and the citizens.

In spite of this, people believe and come to faith in Jesus. Healings continue in the name of Jesus. A new problem develops in that the power of healing is not interpreted as the work of God, but that the apostles are gods. The church in moving from a monotheistic culture to a polytheistic culture runs into new challenges.

Again the challenge is greeted as an opportunity to speak the gospel. Paul and Barnabas are not gods, but human beings. The power to heal comes from the God who made heaven and earth and who is now being proclaimed to them.

Reflection questions:
1. What challenges do we face as we move into the “post-modern” world? How will we proclaim the gospel to this new context?
2. How much of our proclamation is tied to our past? How do we express it in ways that call all people into God’s future?
3. What are the dangers of the messenger becoming more important or recognized than the message?