Acts 14:8–20

Introduction

Acts 14:8–20: Paul and Barnabas continue their first missionary journey throughout Asia Minor, traveling to Lystra and Derbe. Those who oppose their teachings create trouble. Paul is stoned and dragged out of town, but when the believers gather around him, he gets up and goes on to Derbe with Barnabas.

Today’s Key Verse: Acts 14:15b GNT

[Barnabas and Paul shouted:] “We are here to announce the Good News, to turn you away from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven, earth, sea, and all that is in them.”

Read

⁸ In Lystra there was a crippled man who had been lame from birth and had never been able to walk. ⁹ He sat there and listened to Paul’s words. Paul saw that he believed and could be healed, so he looked straight at him ¹⁰ and said in a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” The man jumped up and started walking around. ¹¹ When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they started shouting in their own Lycaonian language, “The gods have become like men and have come down to us!” ¹² They gave Barnabas the name Zeus, and Paul the name Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. ¹³ The priest of the god Zeus, whose temple stood just outside the town, brought bulls and flowers to the gate, for he and the crowds wanted to offer sacrifice to the apostles.

¹⁴ When Barnabas and Paul heard what they were about to do, they tore their clothes and ran into the middle of the crowd, shouting, ¹⁵ “Why are you doing this? We ourselves are only human beings like you! We are here to announce the Good News, to turn you away from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven, earth, sea, and all that is in them. ¹⁶ In the past he allowed all people to go their own way. ¹⁷ But he has always given evidence of his existence by the good things he does: he gives you rain from heaven and crops at the right times; he gives you food and fills your hearts with happiness.” ¹⁸ Even with these words the apostles could hardly keep the crowd from offering a sacrifice to them.

¹⁹ Some Jews came from Antioch in Pisidia and from Iconium; they won the crowds over to their side, stoned Paul and dragged him out of the town, thinking that he was dead. ²⁰ But when the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he and Barnabas went to Derbe.

Reflect

What did the crowds in Lystra do after Paul and Barnabas healed the man who had been lame since birth? What did Barnabas and Paul say to the people? Based on verse 19, what does today’s reading teach you about the risks involved in proclaiming the good news? Do people today face such risks? If you were asked to describe all that God has done for you, how would you answer?

Pray

Living God, you made heaven and earth, the seas and all that is in them. My heart is filled with joy that comes from serving you. May the good news of your love and salvation spread throughout the world. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Acts 16:1–15: Paul embarks on his second missionary journey.