“ And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. 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. 

But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them, They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: And there they preached the gospel. ......

 .....And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. 

And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, 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. 

—And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. —-

And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. 

And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. And there they abode long time with the disciples. “ - Acts 14:1–7,18–28

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The Man with 2 Names - Ep 7 - Hated without cause

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Christ appeared for 40 days AFTER His resurrection to His disciples ( not just the 11 + the women ), not because He was reluctant to leave, but because He had important work to complete....

Prior to His Passion, he had only hinted at His divine nature ... in arguments with the Pharisees, in the reading of the Scripture in synagogues... at the Garden of Gethsemane. His post - resurrection work was to open the understanding of the disciples... to show them the texts in Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms which applied to Him, to TEACH them so that they could be effective witnesses of His resurrection AND the Gospel!

This formed the core of the Apostles doctrine... enabling them to cite scripture to convince hard-core Torah believing Israelites ( like Paul ) , and to present the good news of the Gospel ( remission of sins in the Name of Christ ) which God had ordained from ages past. Acts says Christ, showed Himself alive through - many infallible proofs - not just appearing in the flesh ( that’s 1, one! ) but also pointing to the infallible Word!!! Over a 100 fulfilled prophecies for starters.....!

It is this same core message, some 12 years later, that Paul and Barnabas are preaching, both to Jews, and the gentiles. When we left them last, they had made the city of Antioch of the West, too hot to hold them by their preaching. They incurred the envy and wrath of the established leadership - the pair shaking off the dust of their feet against them, and leaving for Iconium. Paul and Barnabas may have no more to do with these people, but we will see that these leaders are not done with them!

In Iconium, they go to the synagogues and deliver the same message/stump speech, and the Spirit ensures it has the same effect. 

As many, “as were ordained to eternal life” , believed... others did not. This, in spite of signs, and wonders, performed by them as noted in the text. This sparks a division , which becomes becomes more and more severe the longer the pair stay, till finally they have to leave for fear of being stoned as heretics and blasphemers by one half of the city.

They flee to the cities of Derbe and Lystra, rinsing and repeating, with the same result. We have skipped over the healing of the cripple at Lystra, but it was undoubtedly typical of the signs and wonders, they were able to do, and it led the city to almost start worshipping them as Gods! This adulation doesn’t last.

The envious Jews from Antioch, have teamed up with the ones at Iconium, and both have travelled to Lystra for the explicit purpose of hounding the pair, and they are successful. Paul is stoned, to death ( the crowd thinks ) and his body is dumped outside the city. That is that....good riddance, blasphemer..... 

Barnabas was not - the wrath of the enemy focused on what he sees to be a bigger threat?.. or just the mercy of God? Miraculously, as the (new) disciples stand around Pauls’ body, he gets back up, walking BACK TO THE CITY... yeah..... !! Bring it..!

He will leave with Barnabas for Derbe, but he is not scared and will return....

Paul makes an oblique reference to “a man” transported to heaven —- writing to a Corinthian church at a later time... 2 Corinthians 12:2–4 (AV): “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. “

It is possible that this experience may be the near-death experience at Lystra - it is also possible that the Apostle is referring to another time, or even another person.... but it is interesting to note in view of what the apostle did after all this...

He preaches in Derbe, and COMES BACK to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch!!

How many of us would have done that? Was it that near death experience that gave him courage? These are interesting side questions, but, The real question is, 

Why were these two hated so much??

The church has not yet been perverted into the Crusades, the Inquisition.... all Paul & Barnabas are doing is offering the remission of sins, authenticated by genuine miracles .... and backed up by scripture. Their message is one of love, not coercion. They have no weapons, seek no kingdom, or political power, and are not asking for any money.

They answer is that they are truly dangerous to the institutions and mental prisons the enemy has erected to keep us away from God. 

Religious ritual and legalism, the greed for the socio-political and economic power that it confers, pious zeal that will not re-examine its fundamentalism in the face of facts....  ( signs, fruit, scripture). These are the oppressive and brutal burdens placed upon people that are struggling with sin and death, without hope, and in fear.

The message that the two are preaching , and acting out, is the same we repeat on a nigh-weekly basis! Rejoice, your sins are forgiven... you are a child of God, unique and so, equal, to every mortal being ..... including Christ Jesus, who showed us the way to worship God in Spirit and in Truth... who lives in us to help us love our neighbors, and grow in the knowledge of God day by day till He comes for us....

As an example of the threat, We present exhibit A, their church planting model..... “ —And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. —-“

That’s the model. Preaching and baptism, followed by raising up elders from —-amongst the new (!) believers—— , and then....? .... a prolonged seminary course? A Christianity 101? A probationary period to get a license? .... NO!

Once picked, they were prayed over, and handed —back to the LORD! —- for HIM to work out His designs for His church through them....!  Paul and Barnabas were hands off... not just by necessity... that IS the model. 

No one can do your growing FOR you.... you have to commit to following the Lord, studying His Word, relying on the Spirit and the support of fellow believers to help you mature.There are no certificates, licenses, titles - just things you are able to do as the -Spirit- -sovereignly- gifts you, and those around you, for mutual benefit.

Now can you see why a message like this is a threat to the prevailing order?

The Catholic Church wrestled with this. Should the Bible be widely available in the common language ( as it always had been )  so that common people can read it for themselves, or , should it be in one language, and interpreted only by trained professionals? In their wisdom, seeking to PROTECT SOUND DOCTRINE.... they established an “educated” clergy.... and history bears record of the results.

The Reformers ( Calvin,  Luther) also struggled with it, knowing how difficult it can be to understand the Word without the illumination of the Spirit, and all the errors that could arise - nevertheless- like Paul and Barnabas- they prayed and fasted and commended the People to God... choosing to publish the Word in the common language .... and let the Spirit and the Word do their work - making the Bible and doctrine widely available.

Same thing with the Pentecostal movement. Did the Spirit move mightily? Yes He did! Were there errors introduced by people due to lack of understanding, blind zeal, ignorance? Yes. Did it happen with the Missionary movement ..yes...  Even today’s “Christians” are not above hypocrisy and massacre in the name of religion ( Bosnia...). 

It’s about a relationship , not about a religion.James 1:27 (AV): Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. 

Paul’s admonition to Timothy, is representative of counsel he would have given an elder, here it is.....

1 Timothy 6:6–12 ,17-21 (AV): 

“ But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is -certain- we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 

But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. .... 

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 

O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science -falsely- so called: Which some professing have -erred- concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.”

This, or something like it, would have been communicated to the new disciples, as Barnabas and Paul retrace their steps homeward. We leave them back safely in Antioch, with stories to tell, and glory to increase!

Hallelujah!