Lesson 20:Paul’s First Missionary Journey (2):From Iconium Back to Antioch (14:1-28)

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

A. Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel in the city of Iconium in Galatia (14:1-7).1. Iconium was 75 miles east of Antioch Pisidia and in

southern Galatia.2. They spent a long time in Iconium, preaching the powerful

message of Jesus Christ.

I.

A. The word “believed” in Acts is synonymous with the word “obeyed”!2. In Acts 14:1-2, those who “believed” are contrasted with “the unbelieving.”3. The word “unbelieving” (verse 2), apeitheo, is better translated

“disobedient” (ASV).4. Thus, to “believe” is to “obey” (cf. John 3:36), and “unbelievers” are

“disobedient.”B. Miracles in the Bible had a very specific purpose and did not stray

from that purpose!1. The apostles were granted the miraculous power of the Spirit of God (cf.

Acts 2:1-4).2. The purpose of the “signs and wonders” was to “bear witness to the word”

(14:3).3. The words were obviously from God when the wonders were obviously

from God!

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

A. Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel in the city of Iconium in Galatia (14:1-7).1. Iconium was 75 miles east of Antioch Pisidia and in

southern Galatia.2. They spent a long time in Iconium, preaching the powerful

message of Jesus Christ.3. The gospel divided the residents of Iconium (14:1-6).4. Violent persecution arose, so Paul and Barnabas fled from

Iconium (14:4-7).5. The term “apostles” is used in this chapter in a generic

sense.

I.

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

B. Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel in Lystra (14:8-18).1. Lystra, a Roman colony, was about 18 miles southwest of

Iconium.2. Paul healed a cripple who was lame from birth (14:8-10).3. The idolatrous Lycaonian residents wanted to worship Paul

and Barnabas (14:11-18).

I.

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

C. Paul was stoned and left for dead in Lystra, but then preached in Derbe (14:19-21a).1. Enraged Jews traveled 18 mi from Iconium & 90+ mi from

Antioch to kill Paul (14:19).2. They worked up the crowd against the gospel and

Christianity.3. With the common Jewish method of execution, they

stoned Paul (14:19).4. By the providence of God and the incompetence of the

Jews, Paul was not dead.

I.

C. Disciples are made the same way today as they were in the New Testament!1. When Paul went to a city, he “preached the gospel…and

made disciples” (14:21).2. This was exactly what the Lord instructed to do (Matt.

28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16).3. Disciples are made by “baptizing” penitent believers into

the Godhead (Mt. 28:19).

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

D. Paul and Barnabas encouraged new Christians on their way back to Antioch (14:21b-25).1. They returned to the same cities that had violently expelled

them (14:21b), in order to:a) Keep strengthening (lit. “propping up”) the souls of the

disciples (14:22).b) Keep exhorting them to keep on continuing in THE

faith (14:22).c) Appoint elders/shepherds/overseers in every

congregation (14:23).

I.

D. Once a person is saved, he needs to continue to grow stronger, in order to stay saved!1. The doctrine of “once saved, always saved” has no foundation

in Scripture!2. If “perseverance of the saints” is inevitable and no saved

person can be lost (14:22):a) Why spend time “strengthening” the Christians?b) Why spend time “encouraging” the Christians?c) Why urge Christians to keep on “continuing” indefinitely?d) Why emphasize continuing “in THE faith” if actual

doctrine does not matter?3. The Lord requires endurance, faithfulness and a lifetime of

service (cf. Matt. 25:23)!

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

E. The church is to be organized and is to operate according to the Lord’s pattern!1. Elders were appointed and are to be appointed in the Lord’s

church (14:23).2. Every congregation was and is to be autonomous, self-

governing (14:23).

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

E. Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch to report about the Lord’s work (14:26-28).1. They “had completed” (or fulfilled) the mission on which

they had been sent (14:26).2. They repeatedly were reporting all God had done and

giving Him the glory (14:27).

I.

A. Disbelief & disobedience should not discourage us from continuing to teach the gospel!

B. When we put our reliance upon the Lord when teaching the gospel, there’s nothing to fear!

C. We need to learn that proclaiming the gospel is not about us or gaining personal attention!

D. We need to strengthen our souls in serving the Lord and determine to never give up!

E. We need to rejoice when we look back at what the Lord has done with us!

III. Practical Points of Application for Our Lives