Acts 14, new surprises

Guest Blogger: Aaron Miner

Question: What does Luke focus on in Paul’s first missionary journey and why does he focus on it?

This question of Luke’s focus helps us pinpoint the challenges of the gospel reaching a hostile world. Luke presents a specific pattern to Paul’s ministry but the main thrust is not a practical method. Rather the main thrust is the victory of the gospel in the midst of opposition.

At Lystra, Paul heals a man crippled from Birth, a truly great sign, but the response however, is unlike anything seen previously. The people stand up and shout in their native language—Lycaonian—and claim that gods have come down to them. The background here is that there was a local legend (a form of which was recorded in the story of Baucis and Philemon by Ovid in his work “Metamorphosis”) that had Zeus and Hermes visiting Lystra in human form. During their visit they were rejected by everyone except a pious old couple who entertained them and the couple was rewarded for their hospitality. To Paul’s horror, the audience at Lystra, believing that Zeus and Hermes have returned, began to sacrifice to them.

The amazement quickly wore off as the Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived and persuaded them to stone Paul. Ironically, in the story of Baucis and Philemon what incited Zeus and Hermes to visit the people was one individual’s unbelief:
Who laugh'd at all the Gods, believ'd in none,
He shook his impious head, and thus replies.
These legends are no more than pious lies,
You attribute too much to heav'nly sway,
To think they give us forms, and take away.
Here the people of Lystra reject the truth to follow an idle legend whose moral was against unbelief itself. However, those who rejected the truth did not have the last say.

Luke through his emphasis teaches the church that persecutions and opposition will arise. If they did for Christ, they will for his messengers as well (Matt 24:9). Though the work may be dangerous, the gospel will break into a dark world. Paul even returns to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch to strengthen and encourage the disciples there (vs. 21-22), proving that his work was not in vain.

There are then three things that can give us hope and courage when we evangelize. The first is that God is gracious not only to us but also to the dark world (vs. 16-17). Secondly, that God is powerful and you never know how he might work his wonders. Even in the midst of great opposition, churches were planted in these cities. Thirdly, there is work to be done and it will be completed. The book of Acts reflects the movement of the Gospel breaking into the Gentile world (Acts 1:8, 14:27, and 28:28) and Acts ends with the Gentiles receiving it. The successful completion of Paul’s first missionary journey reflects the opening of the door to the Gentiles (v. 27).

Let us then not lose heart or cower in fear about sharing Christ for there is work to be done and lives to be changed.