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| 1 And it came to pass in Iconium that they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake that a great multitude of both Jews and Greeks believed. |
Iconium – About 75 miles southeast of Antioch of Pisidia, on the border of Galatia. R4368:3, 3011:2, 3009:1
Great multitude – A large congregation of interested hearers. R1467:4
Of the Greeks – Jewish proselytes. R4368:3
Believed – Conversions to Christianity. R1467:4
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| 2 But the Jews who did not believe stirred up the minds of those of the nations and made them evil-affected against the brethren. |
Minds – Greek, psuche; souls, beings. E335
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| 3 They stayed therefore a good while, speaking boldly, confiding in the Lord, who gave witness to the word of his grace, giving signs and wonders to be done by their hands. |
Long time – Several months, because the many converts needed instruction. R4368:3, 1467:5
And granted signs – Greek, seemion; proofs or evidences. Recognized by Israelites indeed. D598
Endorsing their testimony by special miraculous gifts, probably healing mainly. R1467:5
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| 4 And the multitude of the city was divided, and some were with the Jews and some with the apostles. |
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| 5 And when an assault was making, both of those of the nations and the Jews with their rulers, to use them ill and stone them, |
Gentiles – Influenced by the chief Jews of the synagogue. R4368:6
Jews with their rulers – Represents the Lord's professed followers, who slander and misrepresent true followers. R4368:6
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| 6 they, being aware of it, fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding country, |
And fled – "When they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another." (Matt. 10:23) R3011:2, 4368:6, 2150:6, 1467:5
Lystra – About 20 miles southeast of Iconium. R4368:6
Capital of Wolfland. Its people were less civilized than other places visited. No synagogue was there and preaching was in the forum. R4369:1
The scene of an old traditional mythological event, perpetrated by a statue of Jupiter at the gate. R3011:3, 4369:2
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| 7 and there they were announcing the glad tidings. |
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| 8 And a certain man in Lystra, impotent in his feet, sat, being lame from his mother's womb, who had never walked. |
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| 9 This man heard Paul speaking, who, fixing his eyes on him, and seeing that he had faith to be healed, |
Faith to be healed – This miracle corresponded closely to the one wrought through Peter and John recorded in Acts 3:7,8. R1471:3
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| 10 said with a loud voice, Rise up straight upon thy feet: and he sprang up and walked. |
Stand upright – A thing he had never done before. R3011:3
Leaped and walked – The Lord witnessed to the teaching of Paul and Barnabas by a miracle, thus confirming their testimony, that the people might know they were his messengers. R1471:3
The gift of healing here illustrated vanished away, as foretold. (1 Cor. 13:8) R1998:2
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| 11 But the crowds, who saw what Paul had done, lifted up their voices in Lycaonian, saying, The gods, having made themselves like men, are come down to us. |
Speech of Lycaonia – Not in Greek, which the missionaries did not understand. R4369:1
Gods are come down – The effect of the miracle upon the people was electrical. R3011:3
According to their traditions, Jupiter and Mercury once visited them and were refused, and the city punished. R4369:2, 3011:3
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| 12 And they called Barnabas Jupiter, and Paul Mercury, because he took the lead in speaking. |
Barnabas, Jupiter – The elder and more venerable looking of the two. R2150:6
Paul, Mercurius – In their tradition, Mercury was the orator, the speaker. R3011:3, 2150:6
Impliedly complimenting Paul's general brilliancy and vigor of manner or both. R4355:3
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| 13 And the priest of Jupiter who was before the city, having brought bulls and garlands to the gates, would have done sacrifice along with the crowds. |
Done sacrifice – Worshipping the messengers of the truth instead of its divine author. R1471:3
A temptation to the missionaries to receive homage for services. This is apt to come to all. If sacrifices were accepted it would of been a hypocrisy. R4369:2
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| 14 But the apostles Barnabas and Paul, having heard it, rent their garments, and rushed out to the crowd, crying |
Rent their clothes – A token of extreme disapproval. R1471:6
Crying out – Thereby setting a good example to the Lord's people when they are offered undue deference because of the truth. R3011:6
Barnabas and Paul did no more than their duty in resisting the homage as they did. R2151:1
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| 15 and saying, Men, why do ye these things? *We* also are men of like passions with you, preaching to you to turn from these vanities to the living God, who made the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and all things in them; |
Why do ye these things? – They were prompt and emphatic in discouraging it. R1471:3, 2150:6
Peter reproved Cornelius from such worship. ( Acts 10:26) R144:3*
Of like passions – They were not infallible. Their weaknesses were not permitted to mar their work. R1526:3; F224
Imperfect, but keeping the "body under" (1 Cor. 9:27), in subjection to the new R2221:5, 3011:5, 1884:6
The apostolic office was not conferred because of human perfection. F224
Let us take to heart the lesson of promptness in resisting the devil's baits for our weak points. R2151:1
Some of the Church naturally are more fallen than others. SM11:3
The term saint does not signify perfection. R2987:4
From these vanities – Public teachers need especially to cultivate the grace of humility. R1471:6
They did not quote Scriptures, but spoke what the people could understand. R4369:3
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| 16 who in the past generations suffered all the nations to go in their own ways, |
Own ways – Untaught, unrestrained. R4369:4
Their opportunity will come afterwards. R33:5*
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| 17 though indeed he did not leave himself without witness, doing good, and giving to you from heaven rain and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness. |
Witness – The Apostle made use of this experience for a discourse. R2151:12
Evidences of his constant care, giving occasion for the gladness and appreciation of life. R4369:4
God has witnesses when needed. R781:4*
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| 18 And saying these things, they with difficulty kept the crowds from sacrificing to them. |
With these sayings – Of a great dispensational change having occurred; the Jewish age closing and the Gospel age opening. R1472:1
Only a brief extract of the discourse is given. R4369:4, 1472:1
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| 19 But there came Jews from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds and stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing him to have died. |
Certain Jews – Zealous as Paul had been in opposition to the message. R4369:5
Persuaded the people – That the missionaries were impostors, the Jews probably aided by the priest of Jupiter who could easily lead the ignorant people in any wrong course, either to make gods of men, or in an opposite direction. R3012:3
Having stoned Paul – Who doubtless then remembered Stephen. R3012:4
The Lord will grant sufficient grace for us. R4369:6
Drew him out – Dragged him out of the city. R4369:5, 3012:3
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| 20 But while the disciples encircled him, he rose up and entered into the city. And on the morrow he went away with Barnabas to Derbe. |
Disciples – Some followers were made. R4369:5
Those that did hear and believe were very precious. R1472:1
He rose up – Miraculously revived. R2151:2, 4369:5
God gives special favors in the hour of need. R2009:2
The Lord raised Paul up, that he might yet further bear witness to the truth. R1472:1
Such a man with such a spirit was a force for good wherever he went. R4369:5
So with us; faith, courage, zeal, and determination will effect our ability to stand and withstand the difficulties of life, by the Lord's grace. R4369:6
God sometimes grants his "new creatures" special favors of an earthly sort in time of need, even though they do not ask for them. R2009:2, 3012:6
Came into the city – In a very quiet manner, so as not to re-arouse the mob. R3012:6
He departed – They did not stay to tantalize their persecutors and to invite a second stoning. (Matt. 10:23) R1472:4
To Derbe – A distance of 35 miles. R3012:6
Paul wisely determined to do no more public work at Lystra, which would only bring needless persecution upon disciples new in the faith. R4369:5
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| 21 And having announced the glad tidings to that city, and having made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, and Iconium, and Antioch, |
Preached – Paul's indomitable will, plus some supernatural strength, enabled his quick recovery. R4369:5
Had taught many – Made many disciples. R4369:6
Returned again – Braving the dangers of return by the same way they went, to encourage the disciples. R4369:6, 3013:2, 2151:2, 781:5
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| 22 establishing the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to abide in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God. |
Confirming the souls – In the faith and hope of the gospel, establishing them in the doctrine of Christ; to warn them against error and encourage them to steadfastness in persecution which would surely come. R1472:4
A necessary work for those called to holiness. R781:5
Much tribulation – Willingly endured for the sake of the truth. R4637:1, 2151:5; Q718:1
"Worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." (2 Cor. 4:17) R5696:4
Not that they would prosper in business and enter social circles, but "In the world ye shall have tribulation." (John 16:33) R4369:6, 5118:2, 5712:3, 199:4*
Because the world is traveling in the opposite direction to righteousness. R5218:2
The new nature can be developed, educated, crystallized, only through tests and fiery trials. R4326:1, 5817:6; CR215:5; 153:4; Q821:3
The way to glory must be a narrow way; and there must be something permitted to make it so. R4488:2, 5214:1, 5118:2
He that is not willing to have the Kingdom at such a cost is not worthy of the Kingdom. R4637:1
"All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (2 Tim. 3:12) R5218:2, 5118:2
The painstaking "fine needlework" of Psalm 45:14. SM256:3
Well illustrated by the story of the emperor moth: saving from struggle is sometimes a mistaken kindness. F192
The difference between those who will get into the Kingdom through much tribulation and those of the Great Company who come through great tribulation, will be the way in which they have received the tribulation. CR153:4; 365:1; 52:6
If we have no trials we should learn patience in waiting for trials. Q715:4
Not all tribulation comes as part of the embroidery. SM256:3
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| 23 And having chosen them elders in each assembly, having prayed with fastings, they committed them to the Lord, on whom they had believed. |
They had ordained – Greek, kirotoneo; elected by stretching out the hand. No brother should assume public duties in the Church, as leader, without being thus elected. F276, F278; R5940:1, 5807:6; Q515:1
Appointed or authorized. R5940:1, 1890:3
One who serves, distributes, dispenses the truth of God's Word. Q519:3
The Church at Antioch had ordained Paul and Barnabas as their representatives and paid their expense. R5940:4; Q521:3
The leading churches all claim for their bishops apostolic authority to appoint elders without stretching the hand. Q811:2
Elders – Those older and more advanced in the knowledge of the truth who took general oversight of local congregations. R1523:5
Whose duty it was to take the oversight of the Lord's flock in their vicinity, to feed them with the truth, and guard them against the wolves in sheep's clothing. (Matt. 7:15) R1890:3, 1523:5
Includes evangelists, pastors, teachers, and prophets; public exponents. R5807:6; Q515:3
The Scriptural method of ordaining elders in all the churches is by congregational election, by hand vote. R5808:1
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| 24 And having passed through Pisidia they came to Pamphylia, |
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| 25 and having spoken the word in Perga, they came down to Attalia; |
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| 26 and thence they sailed away to Antioch, whence they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled. |
For the work – The Antioch church did not ordain the Apostle Paul to be an Apostle, but to be their missionary; and he rendered reports to them. R5940:4; Q521:5
He traveled under auspices of Antioch Church with a letter of authorizations. R1720:2, 4369:6
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| 27 And having arrived, and having brought together the assembly, they related to them all that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith to the nations. |
Gathered the church – Gave them a report of the work done as their representatives. R1957:4
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| 28 And they stayed no little time with the disciples. |
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