Key Verse: "Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." - Acts 14:22 KJV
Paul and Barnabas have just completed an extraordinary missionary journey. They have preached the gospel, witnessed people come to Christ, experienced miracles, endured fierce opposition, and faced persecution. Yet when the journey is nearly over, they do something remarkable.
Key Verse: "And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:" - Acts 14:15 KJV
Paul and Barnabas arrive in Lystra, where they encounter a man who had never walked. Paul sees that the man has faith and commands him: “Stand upright on thy feet.” Immediately, the man leaps up and walks. The people are astonished. But instead of recognizing the power of the true God, they assume that Paul and Barnabas are gods who have come down in human form. They begin preparing to worship them and even want to offer sacrifices to them.
Key Verse: "Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands." - Acts 14:3 KJV
Paul and Barnabas arrive in Iconium and immediately begin doing what God called them to do: they preach the gospel. And God blesses their message. A great number of both Jews and Gentiles believe. But once again, opposition appears. Some reject the message and begin stirring up hostility against the believers. The city becomes divided, and eventually a plot develops to stone Paul and Barnabas.
Key Verse: "And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost."
- Acts 13:52 KJV
The gospel is spreading rapidly.After Paul preaches in Antioch of Pisidia, almost the entire city gathers the following Sabbath to hear the Word of God. What an incredible opportunity! Yet instead of rejoicing over so many people hearing the truth, some become jealous. Opposition begins.
Key Verse: "Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:" - Acts 13:38 KJV
Paul and Barnabas arrive in Antioch of Pisidia, and on the Sabbath they enter the synagogue. Paul is invited to speak, and he takes the opportunity to tell the story of God's faithfulness. His message begins with Israel's history. He speaks of Abraham, the Exodus, the kings, and especially David. But Paul is not simply giving a history lesson. He is showing how God's promises were leading to Jesus Christ.
Key Verse: "As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them." - Acts 13:2 KJV
The church at Antioch was growing and thriving, but God had something more in store. As the believers “ministered to the Lord, and fasted,” the Holy Ghost gave them a specific calling: Barnabas and Saul were to be set apart for a special work. Notice how this missionary journey began. It began with worship, prayer, fasting, and listening.
Key Verse: "And, behold, the angel of
the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote
Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his
chains fell off from his hands."
- Acts 12:7 KJV
As the church continued to grow, opposition intensified. King Herod began to persecute believers, even executing James, the brother of John. Seeing that this pleased certain groups, he arrested Peter as well, intending to put him on trial after the Passover. Peter was heavily guarded in prison, bound with chains and watched by soldiers, his situation seemed hopeless.
Bible Reading: Acts 14:21-28 KJV Key Verse: " Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the fa...
