Tribulations For The Kingdom Of God (Acts 14)
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INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
1. Last week we read about Paul and Barnabas at Pisidian Antioch
1. Previously, we read about Paul and Barnabas at Antioch of Pisidia...
a. Where they experienced both success and conflict -
b. They were eventually expelled, though leaving joyful disciples behind -
42 As they were leaving, the people urged them to speak about these matters the following Sabbath. 43 After the synagogue had been dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who were speaking with them and urging them to continue in the grace of God.
44 The following Sabbath almost the whole town assembled to hear the word of the Lord. 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what Paul was saying, insulting him.
behind -
b. They were eventually expelled, though leaving joyful disciples behind -
49 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 50 But the Jews incited the prominent God-fearing women and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them from their district. 51 But Paul and Barnabas shook the dust off their feet against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
2. Paul and Barnabas then went on to Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe...
a. Cities of Phrygia and Lycaonia, in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey)
b. Establishing churches to which Paul likely wrote Galatians - cf.
[As with Antioch, Paul and Barnabas found success mixed with ill treatment (cf. ). Paul's observation about such treatment () raises some questions, but let's first summarize...]
treatment (cf. ). Paul's observation about such treatment (Ac
14:22) raises some questions, but let's first summarize...]
I. THE MINISTRY AT ICONIUM, LYSTRA, AND DERBE
A. ICONIUM...
1 In Iconium they entered the Jewish synagogue, as usual, and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So they stayed there a long time and spoke boldly for the Lord, who testified to the message of his grace by enabling them to do signs and wonders. 4 But the people of the city were divided, some siding with the Jews and others with the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat and stone them, 6 they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian towns of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding countryside. 7 There they continued preaching the gospel.
Acts 14:1-
1. Again the procedure was to start with the local synagogue -
1. Again the procedure was to start with the local synagogue -
1 In Iconium they entered the Jewish synagogue, as usual, and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.
14:1; 17:1-2
2. Unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles against them - ;
2. Unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles against the brethren - ;
a. This was the same thing we saw last week in
- ;
45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what Paul was saying, insulting him.
3. Paul and his companions stayed "a long time", speaking boldly for the Lord and it tells us that God granted them the ability to perform signs and wonders - ;
a. We see this in many places throughout the New Testament. Christ sends out his disciples and enables them to perform miracles that prove the validity of what they are preaching.
19 So the Lord Jesus, after speaking to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word by the accompanying signs.]
the Lord with signs and wonders - ; cf. ; He
4 At the same time, God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions of gifts from the Holy Spirit according to his will.
;
2:4
4. The city of Iconium eventually became divided between the Jews and the apostles -
when he later wrote to the Galatians of their reception of him
- cf.
5. The city eventually became divided between the Jews and the apostles -
apostles -
a. Note that Paul and Barnabas are specifically referred to as "apostles" - cf. also
b. Likely because they had been "sent" by the Holy Spirit - cf. ,
- cf. also
c. Not in quite the sense as used of the Twelve - cf. ;
1. ἀποστόλος - a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders
a. specifically applied to the twelve apostles of Christ
b. in a broader sense applied to other eminent Christian teachers
c. dictionary definition includes - the first successful Christian missionary in a country or to a people.
By this definition since Paul and Barnabas were specifically commissioned by the Holy Spirit to share the gospel with the Gentiles, they could be considered apostles.
,
c. Not in quite the sense as used of the Twelve - cf. ;
1:15-26;
6. An attempt to stone them forced Paul and Barnabas to flee to Lystra and Derbe -
4 But the people of the city were divided, some siding with the Jews and others with the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat and stone them, 6 they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian towns of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding countryside.
Lystra and Derbe -
B. LYSTRA...
B. LYSTRA...
1. As we already read in the previous section, once they got to this area they continued to preach the gospel throughout the region -
2. Paul healed a lame man, whom he saw had faith to be healed -
8 In Lystra a man was sitting who was without strength in his feet, had never walked, and had been lame from birth. 9 He listened as Paul spoke. After looking directly at him and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10 Paul said in a loud voice, “Stand up on your feet!” And he jumped up and began to walk around.
14:8-10
Sounds a lot like what we saw back in chapter 3 when Peter and John were going into the Temple and healed the lame man there doesn’t it? But there’s a little different reaction here in Lystra. Let’s read the next few verses to see what those around them do
3. The Gentiles assumed Paul to be Hermes, Barnabas Zeus, and prepared to offer a sacrifice to them -
11 When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the town, brought bulls and wreaths to the gates because he intended, with the crowds, to offer sacrifice.
prepared to offer a sacrifice to them -
3. So The Gentiles assumed Paul and Barnabas to be gods, and prepared to offer a sacrifice to them -
4. Barnabas and Paul reacted strongly, barely restraining them -
14 The apostles Barnabas and Paul tore their robes when they heard this and rushed into the crowd, shouting: 15 “People! Why are you doing these things? We are people also, just like you, and we are proclaiming good news to you, that you turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to go their own way, 17 although he did not leave himself without a witness, since he did what is good by giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons and filling you with food and your hearts with joy.” 18 Even though they said these things, they barely stopped the crowds from sacrificing to them.
-
a. By proclaiming there is one living God, the Creator of all things
a. By proclaiming there is one living God, the Creator of all things
things
b. Who bore witness of Himself through the blessings of nature - cf.
- cf.
So they stop the people from worshipping them as gods, but then the pendulum takes a huge swing the other direction. Let’s read the next couple of verses:
19 Some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and when they won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead.
19 Some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and when they won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead. 20 After the disciples gathered around him, he got up and went into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.
Paul - ;
;
5. Jews from Antioch and Iconium persuade the multitude to stone Paul - ;
;
5. Jews from Antioch and Iconium have been following Paul and Barnabas and they persuade the people to stone Paul - ;
6. The next day Paul and Barnabas departed and went to Derbe -
14:20
C. DERBE...
The scriptures don’t tell us a lot about what went on in the city of Derbe other than that they preached the gospel and made many disciples, but let’s read this last section of the chapter to see what happens after Derbe
Acts 14:21-28
2. They made many disciples -
[Paul and Barnabas soon retraced their steps, returning to Lystra, Iconium, Antioch (). There they strengthened the disciples and exhorted them to continue in the faith, saying "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." (). This has led some to ask...]
21 After they had preached the gospel in that town and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples by encouraging them to continue in the faith and by telling them, “It is necessary to go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” 23 When they had appointed elders for them in every church and prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
24 They passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 After they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed back to Antioch where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. 27 After they arrived and gathered the church together, they reported everything God had done with them and that he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they spent a considerable time with the disciples.
Iconium, Antioch (). There they strengthened the disciples and
exhorted them to continue in the faith, saying "We must through many
[Paul and Barnabas soon retraced their steps, returning to Lystra, Iconium, Pisidian Antioch and eventually back to Syrian Antioch where they had started their missionary journey. They report back to their sending church and then it says they spent considerable time with them. But on their way back it tells us that they strengthened the disciples and exhorted them to continue in the faith, saying "It is necessary to go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God." (). This has led some to ask...]
tribulations enter the kingdom of God." (). This has led some
to ask...]
II. MUST ALL CHRISTIANS SUFFER TRIBULATION FOR THE KINGDOM?
A. THE APOSTLES CERTAINLY DID...
1. As Jesus said they would -
22 You will be hated by everyone because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
2. As Paul mentioned of others and himself - ; ;
2. As Paul mentioned of others and himself - ; ;
9 For I think God has displayed us, the apostles, in last place, like men condemned to die: We have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to people. 10 We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! 11 Up to the present hour we are both hungry and thirsty; we are poorly clothed, roughly treated, homeless; 12 we labor, working with our own hands. When we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;
; ;
8 We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; 9 we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. 10 We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be displayed in our body.
4:8-10; 11:23-29
23 Are they servants of Christ? I’m talking like a madman—I’m a better one: with far more labors, many more imprisonments, far worse beatings, many times near death.
24 Five times I received the forty lashes minus one from the Jews. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day in the open sea. 26 On frequent journeys, I faced dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own people, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, and dangers among false brothers; 27 toil and hardship, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, cold, and without clothing. 28 Not to mention other things, there is the daily pressure on me: my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?
;
3. In fact all of the apostles died as martyrs, with the exception of John who was exiled to the
3. In fact all the apostels died as martyrs, with the exception of John who was exiled
suffered exile
B. MANY OF THE OTHER EARLY CHRISTIANS DID...
1. The church in Jerusalem - We read about the death of Stephen back in chapter 8
1 Saul agreed with putting him to death. On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria.
1 Saul agreed with putting him to death. On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him. 3 Saul, however, was ravaging the church. He would enter house after house, drag off men and women, and put them in prison.
,
,
2. The churches in Thessalonica and Philippi - ; ; ; ;
2. The churches in Thessalonica and Philippi - ; ; ; ;
1 Saul agreed with putting him to death. On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him. 3 Saul, however, was ravaging the church. He would enter house after house, drag off men and women, and put them in prison.
3:2-4; ;
2. The churches in Thessalonica and Philippi - ; ; ; ;
3. As Jesus warned those of Smyrna -
C. BUT NOT ALL EARLY CHRISTIANS DID...
1. There were periods of peace among the churches -
2. Jesus promised the church at Philadelphia they would be spared -
31 So the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
-
2. Jesus promised the church at Philadelphia they would be spared -
inevitable? - ;
D. HOW DO WE RECONCILE PAUL'S STATEMENTS...?
1. Which sound as though all Christians must suffer - e.g., ;
14:22;
2. Consider the context: To whom and when did he say such things?
a. Was it to those who would be given the privilege to suffer? - cf.
29 For it has been granted to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are engaged in the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.
- cf.
b. Living at a time and in a place where persecution might arise?
b. Living at a time and in a place where persecution might arise?
arise?
3. It seems that some of the early Christians were permitted to suffer
suffer
a. To confirm the testimony of those early witnesses of the faith
faith
b. But not all Christians suffered the persecutions of others
4. But Christians were not told to seek out persecution
a. They were permitted to flee persecution -
b. As Paul did in Damascus - ;
5. If they were persecuted for the cause of Christ...
a. They were told to glorify God -
b. They were told to rejoice for the honor - ;
5:10-12
CONCLUSION
1. When Paul and Barnabas suffered tribulation for the kingdom of God...
a. They did not give up preaching the gospel
b. It did not hinder the growth and development of the church
2. We may not suffer the persecution they did...
a. Ours may be in the lesser form of ridicule, or being ostracized
b. But we must always be prepared to suffer should it become our lot
Are we preparing ourselves with the proper mindset should persecution come our way? Are we willing to suffer for Christ? Are we quick to forgive those who persecute us? And most importantly do we continue to proclaim the gospel of Christ even in the face of persecution...?
come our way? Willing to suffer for Christ? Quick to forgive those
I pray that we would all be ready because even though we have the freedom to worship and to proclaim the gospel of Christ in this country, the day may come when that freedom is stripped away. Hopefully it’s a long way off, but what will you do if that day comes? Will you bow to the pressure of the crowd? Or will you stand up for gospel?
who persecute us? Steadfast in the proclamation of the gospel of
Would you pray with me?
Christ...?