Acts 14-15
Read these Chapters
Acts 14: Paul and
Barnabas in Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe
In Iconium, Paul and
Barnabas speak boldly in the synagogue, leading to a great number of Jews and
Greeks believing. However, the city becomes divided, and a plot emerges to harm
and stone them. Forewarned, they flee to Lystra. There, Paul heals a man lame
from birth, which astonishes the crowds. They mistakenly think Paul and
Barnabas are the gods Zeus and Hermes in human form and try to offer sacrifices
to them. The apostles desperately try to correct this misunderstanding,
emphasizing that they are mere humans and that the living God is the one
deserving of worship. But soon after, Jews from Antioch and Iconium come and
persuade the crowd against the apostles. Paul is stoned and dragged out of the
city, presumed dead. However, disciples gather around him, and he revives. Paul
and Barnabas then journey to Derbe, make many disciples, and decide to return
to the cities they previously visited, strengthening the disciples and
appointing elders in each church. They eventually return to Antioch, reporting
how God had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
Acts 15: The
Jerusalem Council
As the Gentile
community within the Church grows, a significant issue arises: Must Gentiles be
circumcised and required to follow the Law of Moses to be saved? Certain
individuals from Judea teach this in Antioch, leading to confusion and sharp
debate. The church in Antioch sends Paul, Barnabas, and some other believers to
Jerusalem to discuss the matter with the apostles and elders. On their way,
they pass through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the
Gentiles, which brings great joy to the believers. At the Jerusalem council,
after much discussion, Peter speaks up, reminding everyone of how God chose him
to bring the gospel to the Gentiles and that they too received the Holy Spirit
just as the Jews did. He argues that God makes no distinction between Jew and
Gentile and that both are saved through the grace of Jesus. James, the leader
of the Jerusalem church, supports Peter's stance and suggests writing a letter
to the Gentile believers, advising them to abstain from food sacrificed to idols,
blood, meat of strangled animals, and sexual immorality. This decision is
well-received. The council sends Judas and Silas, along with Paul and Barnabas,
to deliver the letter to the churches, which brings great encouragement to the
Gentile believers. The chapter concludes with Paul and Barnabas parting ways
over a disagreement about John Mark, leading Paul to choose Silas as his new
companion for his next missionary journey.
