Acts

Chapter 14
1~~And it came to pass in Iconium {city in South Galacia}, that they {Paul and Barnabas} went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke with the result that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.

2~~But the unbelieving Jews stirred up {mob action} the Gentiles, and made their minds poisoned {evil affected} against the brethren.

3~~ Long time therefore abode {means to go somewhere and stay that is unpleasant} they speaking with confidence in the Lord, Who gave testimony unto the Word of His grace, and granted signs {miracles for the Jews} and wonders {miracles for the Gentiles} to be done at their hands.

4~~ But the multitude of the city was divided. And part held with the Jews and part with the apostles.

{Note: Bible Doctrine divides cities. Believers from unbelievers.}

5-7~~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, 6~~they were warned of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lies round about 7~~and there they preached the gospel.

8~~ And there kept on sitting a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked.

9-10~~ The same {the crippled man} heard Paul speak with great interest. Who {Paul} steadfastly noticed him, and kept on perceiving that he had faith to be saved . . . 10~~said with a loud voice, "GET UP and STAND STRAIGHT on your feet." And he jumped up and kept on walking and walking.

{Note: The purpose of miracles was to evangelize. Paul yelled this to get the attention of the crowd in the market place.}

11~~And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia {which Paul would not have understood}, "The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men."

{Note: In Frigia (sic), the heathens had two trees that the gods had created from two lovers to give them 'eternal life'. Now the Lycaonians were happy they were being 'visited by the gods'.}

12~~And they called Barnabas . . . Jupiter {the Father of the Gods} and Paul . . . Mercurius {Mercury was the messenger god and the god of oratory. Since Paul did the speaking here they thought he was Mercury}, because he {Paul} was the chief speaker.

13~~Then the priest of Jupiter
  {the heathen temple outside the city},
which was before their city,
brought oxen
  {highest non-human sacrifice of the Greeks}
and garlands {for the gods}
unto the gates,
and would have done sacrifice
with the people.

14-16~~Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, having heard {that the Lycaonians though they were gods and were going to give sacrifices to them}, they rent {tore} their clothes, and rushed out of the house among the people, crying out, 15~~and saying, "Sirs, why do you these things? We also are men of same nature with you, and preach unto you that you should turn from these vanities {offering sacrifices to Jupiter etc} unto the living {real} God, Who made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein 16~~ Who {God} in times past permitted all nations to walk in their own ways."

{Note: Paul is stating that the living God who made all heaven and earth (Christ) recognizes and honors the Free Will of Man - always has.}

17~~Nevertheless He {Jesus} left not Himself without witness, in that He performed divine good {good of an intrinsic value} and keeps on giving us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our frontal lobes {hearts} with nourishment and gladness.

{Note this is an agricultural society. They would recognize the concept that 'rain' falls on believer and unbeliever alike - the gospel. The 'rain' brings for fruit as does the gospel - only the gospel is for the heart where rain, creating food, is for the stomach.}

18~~ And with these sayings he barely restrained the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.

{Note: Paul said more . . . and with all he said, the people were convinced they were not gods.}

19~~And there came thither certain Jews {unbelieving legalists} from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people {convinced the people that not only was Paul not a god he was rat-fink} and, having stoned Paul {to death}, drew him out of the city, having a firm conclusion that he was dead.

{Note: in II Corinthians 12 Paul discusses an out of body experience. From this we can deduce that Paul was killed here and resuscitated - resurrected means never to die again - Paul will die again. He will be beheaded on Nero's direct order on the Apian Way.}

20~~But, as the disciples stood round about him, suddenly he {Paul} rose up {resuscitation from the dead}, and came into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

21~~ And when they had preached the gospel
to that city {Derbe},
and had taught many,
  {technically means to train and train well}
they returned again to Lystra,
and to Iconium, and Antioch.

{Note: This is the end of Paul's first missionary mission. He could easily get to his hometown of Tarsus from here, but his job is yet unfinished - the new believers need pastor-teachers and these men need to be taught still.}

{Paul dealing with individuals - on the basis of doctrine}
22~~Stabilizing the souls of the disciples,
  {objective being they would be self-sustaining spiritually}
and speaking from the immediate source of himself
  {exhorting - to communicate from the immediate source
  of doctrine in his soul}
to them to keep on continuing in {use it}
The Faith {technical for the whole realm of doctrine} . . .
and that we must, through much suffering,
enter into the kingdom of God.

{Paul dealing with groups of people - set up a local church each with
  a trained Pastor teacher - to lead them.}
23~~And when they had appointed {authorized, ordained} them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting {means to take time normally used to eat and instead study and learn - crash seminary course}, they deposited {first used to put money in the Temple or later bank} them to the Lord . . . on Whom they believed in the past with the result that they kept on believing.

{Note: 'Elders' is presbuteros in the Greek. It means 'the old man' - the one in charge. It is the Title for the pastor-teacher as the head of the local church. FYI, bishop is episkopos and means overseer. This is the word that describes the functional title of the pastor-teacher. And Pastor-teacher describes the spiritual gift.}

24~~And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.

25~~And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia.

26~~And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been delivered over to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.

27~~ And when they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them, and that He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

28~~And there they kept on abiding a long time with the disciples.

{Note: Antioch was a beautiful city. Means Paul and Barnabas took a well-deserved vacation!}

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