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Chapter 18
Preaching Among the Heathen
FROM Antioch in Pisidia, Paul and Barnabas went to Iconium. In this
place, as at Antioch, they began their labors in the synagogue of their
own people. They met with marked success; "a great multitude both of the
Jews and also of the Greeks believed." But in Iconium, as in other
places where the apostles labored, "the unbelieving Jews stirred up the
Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren."
The apostles, however, were not turned aside from their mission, for
many were accepting the gospel of Christ. In the face of opposition,
envy, and prejudice they went on with their work, "speaking boldly in
the Lord," and God "gave testimony unto the word of His grace, and
granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands." These evidences of
divine approval had a powerful influence on those whose minds were open
to conviction, and converts to the gospel multiplied.
The increasing popularity of the message borne by the apostles, filled
the unbelieving Jews with envy and hatred, and they determined to stop
the labors of Paul and Barnabas at once. By means of false and
exaggerated reports they led the authorities to fear that the entire
city was in danger of being incited to insurrection. They declared that
large numbers were attaching themselves to the apostles and suggested
that it was for secret and dangerous designs.
In consequence of these charges the disciples were repeatedly brought
before the authorities; but their defense was so clear and sensible, and
their statement of what they were teaching so calm and comprehensive,
that a strong influence was exerted in their favor. Although the
magistrates were prejudiced against them by the false statements they
had heard, they dared not condemn them. They could but acknowledge that
the teachings of Paul and Barnabas tended to make men virtuous,
law-abiding citizens, and that the morals and order of the city would
improve if the truths taught by the apostles were accepted.
Through the opposition that the disciples met, the message of truth
gained great publicity; the Jews saw that their efforts to thwart the
work of the new teachers resulted only in adding greater numbers to the
new faith. "The multitude of the city was divided: and part held with
the Jews, and part with the apostles."
So enraged were the leaders among the Jews by the turn that matters were
taking, that they determined to gain their ends by violence. Arousing
the worst passions of the ignorant, noisy mob, they succeeded in
creating a tumult, which they attributed to the teaching of the
disciples. By this false charge they hoped to gain the help of the
magistrates in carrying out their purpose. They determined that the
apostles should have no opportunity to vindicate themselves and that the
mob should interfere by stoning Paul and Barnabas, thus putting an end
to their labors.
Friends of the apostles, though unbelievers, warned them of the
malicious designs of the Jews and urged them not to expose themselves
needlessly to the fury of the mob, but to escape for their lives. Paul
and Barnabas accordingly departed in secret from Iconium, leaving the
believers to carry on the work alone for a time. But they by no means
took final leave; they purposed to return after the excitement had
abated, and complete the work begun.
In every age and in every land, God's messengers have been called upon
to meet bitter opposition from those who deliberately chose to reject
the light of heaven. Often, by misrepresentation and falsehood, the
enemies of the gospel have seemingly triumphed, closing the doors by
which God's messengers might gain access to the people. But these doors
cannot remain forever closed, and often, as God's servants have returned
after a time to resume their labors, the Lord has wrought mightily in
their behalf, enabling them to establish memorials to the glory of His
name.
Driven by persecution from Iconium, the apostles went to Lystra and
Derbe, in Lycaonia. These towns were inhabited largely by a heathen,
superstitious people, but among them were some who were willing to hear
and accept the gospel message. In these places and in the surrounding
country the apostles decided to labor, hoping to avoid Jewish prejudice
and persecution.
In Lystra there was no Jewish synagogue, though a few Jews were living
in the town. Many of the inhabitants of Lystra worshiped at a temple
dedicated to Jupiter. When Paul and Barnabas appeared in the town and,
gathering the Lystrians about them, explained the simple truths of the
gospel, many sought to connect these doctrines with their own
superstitious belief in the worship of Jupiter.
The apostles endeavored to impart to these idolaters a knowledge of God
the Creator and of His Son, the Saviour of the human race. They first
directed attention to the wonderful works of God--the sun, the moon, and
the stars, the beautiful order of the recurring seasons, the mighty
snow-capped mountains, the lofty trees, and other varied wonders of
nature, which showed a skill beyond human comprehension. Through these
works of the Almighty, the apostles led the minds of the heathen to a
contemplation of the great Ruler of the universe.
Having made plain these fundamental truths concerning the Creator, the
apostles told the Lystrians of the Son of God, who came from heaven to
our world because He loved the children of men. They spoke of His life
and ministry, His rejection by those He came to save, His trial and
crucifixion, His resurrection, and His ascension to heaven, there to act
as man's advocate. Thus, in the Spirit and power of God, Paul and
Barnabas preached the gospel in Lystra.
At one time, while Paul was telling the people of Christ's work as a
healer of the sick and afflicted, he saw among his hearers a cripple
whose eyes were fastened on him and who received and believed his words.
Paul's heart went out in sympathy toward the afflicted man, in whom he
discerned one who "had faith to be healed." In the presence of the
idolatrous assembly Paul commanded the cripple to stand upright on his
feet. Heretofore the sufferer had been able to take a sitting posture
only, but now he instantly obeyed Paul's command and for the first time
in his life stood on his feet. Strength came with this effort of faith,
and he who had been a cripple "leaped and walked."
"When the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices,
saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the
likeness of men." This statement was in harmony with a tradition of
theirs that the gods occasionally visited the earth. Barnabas they
called Jupiter, the father of gods, because of his venerable appearance,
his dignified bearing, and the mildness and benevolence expressed in his
countenance. Paul they believe to be Mercury, "because he was the chief
speaker," earnest and active, and eloquent with words of warning and
exhortation.
The Lystrians, eager to show their gratitude, prevailed upon the priest
of Jupiter to do the apostles honor, and he "brought oxen and garlands
unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people." Paul and
Barnabas, who had sought retirement and rest, were not aware of these
preparations. Soon, however, their attention was attracted by the sound
of music and the enthusiastic shouting of a large crowd who had come to
the house where they were staying.
When the apostles ascertained the cause of this visit and its attendant
excitement, "they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people" in
the hope of preventing further proceedings. In a loud, ringing voice,
which rose above the shouting of the people, Paul demanded their
attention; and as the tumult suddenly ceased, he said: "Sirs, why do ye
these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto
you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which
made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.
Nevertheless He left not Himself without witness, in that He did good,
and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts
with food and gladness."
Notwithstanding the positive denial of the apostles that they were
divine, and notwithstanding Paul's endeavors to direct the minds of the
people to the true God as the only object worthy of adoration, it was
almost impossible to turn the heathen from their intention to offer
sacrifice. So firm had been their belief that these men were indeed
gods, and so great their enthusiasm, that they were loath to acknowledge
their error. The record says that they were "scarce restrained."
The Lystrians reasoned that they had beheld with their own eyes the
miraculous power exercised by the apostles. They had seen a cripple who
had never before been able to walk, made to rejoice in perfect health
and strength. It was only after much persuasion on the part of Paul, and
careful explanation regarding the mission of himself and Barnabas as
representatives of the God of heaven and of His Son, the great Healer,
that the people were persuaded to give up their purpose.
The labors of Paul and Barnabas at Lystra were suddenly checked by the
malice of "certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium," who, upon learning of
the success of the apostles' work among the Lycaonians, had determined
to follow them and persecute them. On arriving at Lystra, these Jews
soon succeeded in inspiring the people with the same bitterness of
spirit that actuated their own minds. By words of misrepresentation and
calumny those who had recently regarded Paul and Barnabas as divine
beings were persuaded that in reality the apostles were worse than
murderers and were deserving of death.
The disappointment that the Lystrians had suffered in being refused the
privilege of offering sacrifice to the apostles, prepared them to turn
against Paul and Barnabas with an enthusiasm approaching that with which
they had hailed them as gods. Incited by the Jews, they planned to
attack the apostles by force. The Jews charged them not to allow Paul an
opportunity to speak, alleging that if they were to grant him this
privilege, he would bewitch the people.
Soon the murderous designs of the enemies of the gospel were carried
out. Yielding to the influence of evil, the Lystrians became possessed
with a satanic fury and, seizing Paul, mercilessly stoned him. The
apostle thought that his end had come. The martyrdom of Stephen, and the
cruel part that he himself had acted upon that occasion, came vividly to
his mind. Covered with bruises and faint with pain, he fell to the
ground, and the infuriated mob "drew him out of the city, supposing he
had been dead."
In this dark and trying hour the company of Lystrian believers, who
through the ministry of Paul and Barnabas had been converted to the
faith of Jesus, remained loyal and true. The unreasoning opposition and
cruel persecution by their enemies served only to confirm the faith of
these devoted brethren; and now, in the face of danger and scorn, they
showed their loyalty by gathering sorrowfully about the form of him whom
they believed to be dead.
What was their surprise when in the midst of their lamentations the
apostle suddenly lifted up his head and rose to his feet with the praise
of God upon his lips. To the believers this unexpected restoration of
God's servant was regarded as a miracle of divine power and seemed to
set the signet of Heaven upon their change of belief. They rejoiced with
inexpressible gladness and praised God with renewed faith.
Among those who had been converted at Lystra, and who were eyewitnesses
of the sufferings of Paul, was one who was afterward to become a
prominent worker for Christ and who was to share with the apostle the
trials and the joys of pioneer service in difficult fields. This was a
young man named Timothy. When Paul was dragged out of the city, this
youthful disciple was among the number who took their stand beside his
apparently lifeless body and who saw him arise, bruised and covered with
blood, but with praises upon his lips because he had been permitted to
suffer for the sake of Christ.
The day following the stoning of Paul, the apostles departed for Derbe,
where their labors were blessed, and many souls were led to receive
Christ as the Saviour. But "when they had preached the gospel to that
city, and had taught many," neither Paul nor Barnabas was content to
take up work elsewhere without confirming the faith of the converts whom
they had been compelled to leave alone for a time in the places where
they had recently labored. And so, undaunted by danger, "they returned
again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, confirming the souls of
the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith." Many had
accepted the glad tidings of the gospel and had thus exposed themselves
to reproach and opposition. These the apostles sought to establish in
the faith in order that the work done might abide.
As an important factor in the spiritual growth of the new converts the
apostles were careful to surround them with the safeguards of gospel
order. Churches were duly organized in all places in Lycaonia and
Pisidia where there were believers. Officers were appointed in each
church, and proper order and system were established for the conduct of
all the affairs pertaining to the spiritual welfare of the believers.
This was in harmony with the gospel plan of uniting in one body all
believers in Christ, and this plan Paul was careful to follow throughout
his ministry. Those who in any place were by his labor led to accept
Christ as the Saviour were at the proper time organized into a church.
Even when the believers were but few in number, this was done. The
Christians were thus taught to help one another, remembering the
promise, "Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am
I in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20.
And Paul did not forget the churches thus established. The care of these
churches rested on his mind as an ever-increasing burden. However small
a company might be, it was nevertheless the object of his constant
solicitude. He watched over the smaller churches tenderly, realizing
that they were in need of special care in order that the members might
be thoroughly established in the truth and taught to put forth earnest,
unselfish efforts for those around them.
In all their missionary endeavors Paul and Barnabas sought to follow
Christ's example of willing sacrifice and faithful, earnest labor for
souls. Wide-awake, zealous, untiring, they did not consult inclination
or personal ease, but with prayerful anxiety and unceasing activity they
sowed the seed of truth. And with the sowing of the seed, the apostles
were careful to give to all who took their stand for the gospel,
practical instruction that was of untold value. This spirit of
earnestness and godly fear made upon the minds of the new disciples a
lasting impression regarding the importance of the gospel message.
When men of promise and ability were converted, as in the case of
Timothy, Paul and Barnabas sought earnestly to show them the necessity
of laboring in the vineyard. And when the apostles left for another
place, the faith of these men did not fail, but rather increased. They
had been faithfully instructed in the way of the Lord, and had been
taught how to labor unselfishly, earnestly, perseveringly, for the
salvation of their fellow men. This careful training of new converts was
an important factor in the remarkable success that attended Paul and
Barnabas as they preached the gospel in heathen lands.
The first missionary journey was fast drawing to a close. Commending the
newly organized churches to the Lord, the apostles went to Pamphylia,
"and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into
Attalia, and thence sailed to Antioch."
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