Faith to be HealedActs 14:1-20

1. What two groups of believers mentioned at Iconium? Acts 14:1

Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. 

Persuasive Powers

• Greeks is the word in the original is Hellenes to signify Gentiles.

• As many as were ordained to eternal life believed. There is a contrast between the envious Jews and the gladly receptive Gentiles.

• Many women during that period were powerfully affected by Judaism and Christianity.

2. What did the unbelieving Jews do to the minds of the Gentiles? Acts 14:2

But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren.

Hindering the Gospel• The unbelieving Jews were greatly

provoked at the growing success of the gospel, and studied all they could to put a stop to its progress.

• That part of the Jews rejected the doctrine of the apostles, concerning Jesus of Nazareth being the Messiah.

• The Jews stirred up tumults everywhere against the Apostle measures the venom of their hate.

3. What three witnesses the Lord gave when proclaiming His Word? Acts 14:3

Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

Speaking boldly The “boldness” consisted

in a full declaration of the gospel of the grace of God as contrasted with the narrowing Judaism with which the Greek proselytes had previously been familiar.  In the cause of the Lord Jesus, in his name, and by his authority. The idea of their trusting in the Lord granted signs, wonders, and miracles.

4. Was there a problem with unity as Paul and Barnabas ministered? [yes] [no] Acts 14:4

But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles. 

Division• The multitude of the city was

divided. No numbers are given, but we may fairly assume that the converts were in a minority, and that they belonged to the lower classes (1Corinthians 1:26-27).

• A revival of religion often produces the bad passions of opposition. The crime is usually blasphemy.

5. What two cities did Paul and Barnabas flee to? Acts 14:5-7

5 And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, 

6 they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region. 

7 And they were preaching the gospel there.

The Church Still Grows

• The Jews hoped to ruin the cause.  But Paul and Barnabas received intelligence that made them aware their bloody plot.

• They withdrew and moved on to other places.

• The church was still increased by the very methods taken to destroy it.

6. How long was a certain man crippled who lived in Lystra? Acts 14:8

And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. 

7. What did Paul see the cripple man had in order to be healed? Acts 14:9-10

This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10 said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked. 

This same man heard Paul speak Read Romans 10:14-17

• Paul perceived by the gift of discerning spirits that the cripple man had faith to be healed.

• The Jesus whom Paul preached could and would heal him. "I say unto thee, in the name of the Lord Jesus, stand upright on thy feet — And power went along with this word; for the lame man immediately leaped and walked.

• Notice once again how Luke, the physician, describes the nature of this and other maladies.

8. What did the people in Lystra compare Paul and Barnabas to? Acts 14:11

Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian  language, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 

polytheism

• Literally, the gods, made like unto men, are come down to us.  The belief of the Lycaonians polytheism and philosophical speculation.

• Zeus and Hermes (Jupiter and Mercury) had come in human guise left tokens of their favor. This is a reference to Greek mythology.

• The priest of Jupiter came with oxen and garlands for offerings to the gods.

9. What names of gods did the people give to Barnabas and Paul? Acts 14:12• And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul,

Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 

• idol gods• They called Barnabas, Jupiter and Paul,

Mercury. St. Luke gives, as was natural, the Greek forms—Zeus and Hermes. The listeners recognized in Paul the gift of eloquence, which was the special attribute of Hermes.

10. What did the priest of Zeus intended to do? Acts 14:13

Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.

11. Did Barnabas and Paul try to discourage the people from treating them

like gods? [yes] [no] Acts 14:14-15

But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, 

Response to idolatry

Sirs, why do you do these things, with regard to us? We are not what you imagine us to be; but men of like passions with you. We preach that you should turn from these vanities, from worshipping any but the true God, the living God, not like these dead idols. Besides the witness for God within them, they had witnesses for God around them, in the bounties of his providence. 

Read Exodus 20:1-4

12. Does God give people a choice to live their own lifestyle? [yes] [no] Acts 14:16

… who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. 

Choices people haveJoshua 24:14-15

14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.  15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

13. Since God is a provider, what are four things He provides for us?

Acts 14:17-1817 Nevertheless He did

not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”18 And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.

He did good• Rain is one of the evidences of the

goodness of God. Man could not cause it, nor live without it. The falling of rain is poured, as it were, directly from God's hollow hand, Psalm 147:8.

• Fruitful seasons are proof of divine and the farmer's success.

• Filling our hearts with food - The word "hearts" denote "persons" themselves.

• Gladness - Joy: the comfort arising from the supply of our needs.

14. What did the Jews persuade the Gentiles to do to Paul? Acts 14:19

Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 

Religious Rage

• The Jews were blinded by Judaism, the Gentiles were in bondage by idolatry.

• Neither could see the Eternal Light of the Gospel, nor accept the spiritual freedom in Jesus Christ.

• The people stoned Paul, in a popular tumult, but the grace of God continued in power.

15. Did Paul survive the stoning? [yes] [no] Acts 14:20

However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

Sister Act- I Will Follow Him with Whoopi Goldberg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPpd-6X3tEo

REVIEW

1. What two groups of believers mentioned at Iconium?

2. What did the unbelieving Jews do to the minds of the Gentiles?

3. What three witnesses the Lord gave when proclaiming His Word?

4. Was there a problem with unity as Paul and Barnabas ministered? [yes] [no]

REVIEW

5. What two cities did Paul and Barnabas flee to when their lives were threatened?

6. How long was a certain man crippled who lived in Lystra?

7. What did Paul see the cripple man had in order to be healed?

8. What did the people in Lystra compare Paul and Barnabas to?

REVIEW

9. What names of gods did the people give to Barnabas and Paul?

10. What did the priest of Zeus intended to do?

11. Did Barnabas and Paul try to discourage the people from treating them like gods? [yes] [no]

12. Does God give people a choice to live their own lifestyle?

REVIEW

• 13. Since God is a provider, what are four things He provides for us?

• 14. What did the Jews persuade the Gentiles to do to Paul?

• 15. Did Paul survive the stoning? [yes] [no]

What is the Good News in this Lesson?