Acts 14-16

Acts 14

from: https://www.jesuswalk.com/paul/03_galatia.htm

Paul the Apostle and Barnabas preach in the synagogue at Iconium.

• many Jews and Gentiles believe
• But opposition arises as unbelieving Jews stir up hostility
• Despite opposition, the apostles remain while
  • speaking boldly
  • performing signs and wonders
• a plot forms to mistreat and stone them
• they flee to Lystra and Derbe

Paul heals a man crippled from birth in Lystra

• the crowds believe the gods came down in human form
• They call
  • Barnabas = Zeus and
  •  Paul = Hermes
• A priest prepares sacrifices to worship them.
• Paul and Barnabas correct them

Paul’s message to pagans

Unlike synagogue sermons, Paul appeals to what they think Zeus brings them:

• creation
• rain
• harvest
• God’s goodness in nature

Hostile Jews arrive from Antioch and Iconium. 

• The crowd turns against Paul. 
• he is stoned and dragged outside the city
• presumed dead

But:

• Paul survives
• returns to the city
• continues onward! 

Paul and Barnabas revisit cities where persecution occurred.They:

• strengthen believers
• Encourage them
• appoint elders

“Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”

They went through Pisidia, came to Pamphylia, then Perga, then down to Attalia, and sailed to Antioch.

They report God opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

Acts 15

Some men teach Gentiles must be circumcised to be saved. This creates major conflict.

Central question: Must Gentiles become Jews to follow Christ? Paul and Barnabas strongly oppose this teaching.

The church sends them to Jerusalem.

The apostles and elders gather, and Peter speaks. 

He reminds them:

• God gave the Holy Spirit to Gentiles
• salvation comes through grace

Peter says “We believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus…” not through the Law.

Paul and Barnabas describevsigns and wonders among Gentiles

James the Just (Jesus’ brother) quotes Amos 9.

• Gentiles don’t need to fulfill Jewish requirements.
• they should avoid:
  • idolatry
  • sexual immorality
  • blood
  • strangled animals

The Jerusalem church sends a letter confirming:

• salvation is by grace
• circumcision is not required
• The Gentile believers rejoice.

Barnabas wants to take John Mark to the cities . Paul refuses because Mark previously left the mission journey.

• Barnabas then takes Mark to Cyprus
• Paul takes Silas

Acts 16

from: https://thejordanvalley.com/2017/11/13/acts-16-18-the-second-missionary-journey/

Paul meets Timothy.  He

• has Jewish mother
• Greek father
• good reputation

Paul circumcises Timothy

• not for salvation
• but to remove barriers for Jewish ministry.

The churches continue growing.

 The Macedonian Call

The Holy Spirit prevents Paul from preaching in certain regions.  Paul receives a vision that a man from Macedonia says “Come over…and help us.”

In Philippi Paul meets women praying by a river named Lydia of Thyatira. She is 

• seller of purple goods and worshiper of God
• The Lord opens her heart and she believes and is baptized.
• Her household also responds.

A slave girl with a spirit of divination follows Paul. 

• Paul casts out the spirit.
• Her owners become angry because they lost profit they made from her 
• Paul and Silas are:
  • beaten
  • imprisoned
  • chained

At midnight Paul and Silas pray and sing hymns

• A great earthquake occurs
• prison doors open
• chains loosen

The jailer prepares to kill himself assuming prisoners escaped. Paul stops him.

• The jailer asks: “What must I do to be saved?”
• Paul answers: “Believe in the Lord Jesus…”
• the jailer believes and his household is baptized
• joy fills the home

Officials want to quietly release Paul. But Paul reveals

• he is a Roman citizen
• he was beaten unlawfully without trial
• The authorities become afraid and apologize.

Paul encourages believers before leaving

Application

We see that salvation is not earned through the Law, but achieve through grace to ALL who believe. The disciples continue to face opposition, but listen boldly to the Holy Spirit.