1. “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.”
The way in which the apostles spoke was used by the Spirit of God in great blessing. While it is always the Spirit of God that brings fruit (God “giveth the increase” ), let us in our spirit and words follow the pattern Paul gives in Colossians 4:6: “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt.”
2. “But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.”
Man’s sad history has ever been a contest between mind and heart. Christ has, by the Spirit, worked in and won our hearts. The enemy, as he did with Eve, seeks to affect our mind by reasoning. Faith does not reason; it loves, trusts and obeys.
3. “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.”
The Spirit opens the way for the gospel in spite of the severe opposition. The words of grace and truth preached by the apostles were given witness and support by the works of signs and wonders. Though this is not a day of miracles, our words as believers should always be supported by our actions.
4. “But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.”
What a sad but accurate picture of the condition of man today regarding God and His truth. There is no neutral ground—no gray area—regarding Christ. Every soul is either for Him, owning Him as Lord (Mark 9:40), or acting in enmity against Him (Col. 1:21).
5. “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.”
What is in man’s heart eventually comes out in his actions (Matt. 7:20). Those who, under normal circumstances, would have nothing to do with each other join together in seeking to stamp out the words of life they had heard. Sometimes we are fooled into thinking that the world accepts us, but in whatever measure believers live for Christ, so they will feel His rejection and persecution (2 Tim. 3:12).
6. “They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about.”
The gospel was the “word of His grace” (vs. 3). Fighting against violence was not in keeping with the message they preached, and the apostles fled. Christians must ever guard against a spirit of fighting to set things right—whether against persecution or in the world. “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay saith the Lord” (Rom. 12:19). “If My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight” (John 18:36).
7. “And there they preached the gospel.”
Today, like those here, servants guided by the Spirit can find full liberty to preach the gospel.
8. “And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked.”
What a picture of the condition of man—unable from birth to walk for the glory of God! May we diligently seek out those who, sensing their need, desire to receive blessing through the gospel.
9. “The same heard Paul speak: who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed.”
Those who “do the work of an evangelist” need to act as Paul did: (1) Have lost souls steadfastly on their heart and, (2) discern, by the Spirit, their true condition. Paul did both—he beheld the cripple’s condition and perceived the reality of his faith.
10. “Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.”
Where reality of heart before God exists, blessing follows. It will be clearly a work of God. Physical rehabilitation, gradually learning to walk, did not heal the cripple. He immediately leaped and walked—giving clear evidence of a divine answer to faith.
11. “And 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.”
They heard the gospel, but the Lycaonians had no faith and didn’t see, as the cripple did, “Jesus only.” They only saw “men as trees walking,” their darkened, idolatrous hearts making men objects of worship.
12. “And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.”
In Antioch believers were scornfully called Christians (Acts 11:26). Here they are respectfully named after heathen gods. Bearing testimony to the true God and His Son, Jesus Christ, always brings opposition, whether by insult or flattery. But this is far more dangerous, for it exalts the Christian rather than the Christ—puts man in the place of God.
13. “Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.”
Man’s religious leaders and his religion lead them to worship and serve “the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” His false religion always leads man away from God, glorifying himself.
14. “Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out.”
When the apostles were beaten and cast in prison, they sang hymns at midnight (Acts 16:23-25). But here they cry out, expressing their sorrow and grief that they were being made objects of worship, rather than the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a time for Christians to bear with suffering and a time to cry out against wickedness. God alone gives the wisdom to know when to sing out and when to cry out.
Ed.