Acts 14

Acts 14:1-7

We have in this chapter a further account of the progress of the gospel, by the ministry of Paul and Barnabas, among the Gentiles. Here is, 1. Their successful preaching time at Iconium, and their king driven thence by the violence of their persecutors, ver. 1—7. 2. Their healing of a lame man at Lyrica, and the difficulty they found to restrain the people from worshipping them as gods, ver. 8—18. 3. The outrage of the people against Paul, at the instigation of the Jews, the effect of which was, that they flared him, as they thought, to death; but he was wonderfully restored to life again, ver. 19, 20. 4. The visit which Paul and Barnabas made to the church, which they had planted, to confirm and put them into order, ver. 21—13. 5. Their return to Antioch, from whence they were few forth; the good they did by the sun, and the report they made to the church of Antioch of their expeditions, ver. 24—28.

1. AND it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and to spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. 2. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. 3. 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. 4. But the multitude of the city was divided; and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. 5. And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews, with their rulers, to use them desperately, and to stone them. 6. They were were of it, and fled unto Lyrica and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: 7. And there they preached the gospel.

Though the apostles were so ignominiously treated by the Jews at Antioch, yet did they not desist from their accustomed manner of solving their synagogues first at Iconium, and making them the offer of the gospel.

1. They went both together into the synagogue, as mutual fellow-helpers, and that out of the month of two with the every word might be established; and so spoke, that a great multitude both of Jews and also of the Greeks believed; so powerful was their preaching, and so mightily did the Spirit of God bless their ministrations, to the conviction and conviction of their hearers.

2. This success, as usual, exasperated the infidel Jews, who spirited up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren, by representing them as dangerous men, who were carrying

1 Mich. cit. 2o. Nih. vi. 3 Chap. xlix. 4. 4 a Tim. iii. 5 Mar. 1. 6. Chap. xlix.

carrying on some bad design. Persecutors would thus always cover malignity under specious perences.

3. Though the apostles saw the prejudices and rancor entertained against them and their new converts, they were not disheartened, but abode long time (seating boldly in the Lord, in his glorious cause, and supported by his power and Spirit, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands, as an attestation to the truth of the gospel which they preached. Note, (1.) The gospel is the word of Christ’s grace, containing the百姓最爱耶稣的 of free, boundless, and undeferved mercy to the sinful sons of men. (2.) They who go forth in the strength of the Lord, will not be dishoned at the frowns of their enemies.

4. Notwithstanding the malice of the Jews, a strong party was formed for the apostles, and the city was divided, and for a time the persecution was restrained. At last, the Jewish party prevailing, an assault was made both of the Gentiles and Jews, supported by the magistrates, in order to feize the apostles, and use them objectfully, treating them with every kind of ignominy, and then to show them, as blasphemous and milgreedy soworthy to live. Note, (1.) If the gospel makes a division in a place or city that was before at peace, it is not to be imputed to any tendency which the gracious message hath to create such disturbances, but to the enmity of the natural heart against God, which cannot bear to see the power of gospel grace in the conversations of others: and far better is it to bear reproach and persecution, as the troublers of the false peace of Bionics, than to suffer them to swim securely down the stream into the gulph of perdition. (2.) If the enemies of the truth are so unanimous in opposition, shall the friends of the gospel be less united in the glorious cause?

5. The apostles got intelligence of this conspiracy, and to escape from the hands of these blood-thrifty men, and to Lydra and Derbe, cities of Lycanice, and was the egress that doth round about; and there they preached the gospel, not defitting from their labours, though compelled to fly for their lives. Thus the enmity of their persecutors contributed but the more to spread that gospel which they opposed.