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| 1 It happened and in Iconium, at the same to enter them into the synagogue of the Jews, and to speak so, that to believe of Jews and also Greeks a great multitude. |
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 The but unbelieving Jews stirred up and imbittered the souls of the Gentiles against the brethren. |
Minds – Greek, psuche; souls, beings. E335
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| 3 Considerable indeed then time they remained speaking freely about the Lord, that testifying to the word of the favor of himself, granting signs and prodigies to be done through the hands of them. |
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 Was divided and the multitude of the city and these indeed were with the Jews, those and with the apostles. |
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| 5 As and was a rush of the Gentiles and also of Jews with the rulers of them, to insult and to 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 seeing they fled into the cities of the 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 preaching glad tidings. |
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| 8 And a certain man in Lystra unable in the feet was sitting, lame from womb of mother of himself, who never had walked about. |
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| 9 This heard the Paul speaking; who having looked intently to him, and seeing that faith has of the to be saved, |
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 loud with the voice: Do thou stand upon the feet of the erect. And he leaped up, and walked about. |
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 The and crowds, seeing what did the Paul, lifted up the voice of them, in Lycaonian language saying: The gods being like men came 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 They called and indeed Barnabas, Jupiter; the and Paul, Mercury; because he was the leader of the word. |
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 The and priest of the Jupiter of that being before the city, bulls and garlands to the gates having brought, with the crowds wished to sacrifice. |
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 Having heard and the apostles Barnabas and Paul, having rent the mantles of them, rushed out into the crowd, crying out, |
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 these things do you? also we being like are to you men, announcing glad tidings you from these the superstitions to turn to the God the living, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all the 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 having gone by generations permitted all the nations to go in the ways of themselves. |
Own ways – Untaught, unrestrained. R4369:4
Their opportunity will come afterwards. R33:5*
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| 17 Although indeed not without witness himself left, doing good, from heaven to you rains giving and seasons fruitful, being full of food and of joy the hearts of you. |
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 these things saying, hardly they restrained the crowds the not to sacrifice 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 Came and from Antioch and Iconium Jews; and having persuaded the crowds, and having stoned the Paul, they dragged outside of the city, supposing him to be dead. |
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 Surrounding and him the disciples, having arisen entered into the city. And on the morrow he went with the Barnabas into 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 Having preached glad tidings and the city that, and having made disciples many, they returned to the 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 confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting to abide in the faith, and that through many afflictions it behooves us to enter into the kingdom of the 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 Having appointed and for them elders in every congregation, having prayed with fasting they commended them to the Lord, into 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 the Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia; |
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| 25 and having spoken in Perga the word, they went down into Attalia; |
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| 26 and thence they sailed into Antioch, whence they were having been commended to the favor of the God for the work, which they 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 Having arrived and and having assembled the congregation, they related what things did the God with them, and that he opened to the Gentiles a door of faith. |
Gathered the church – Gave them a report of the work done as their representatives. R1957:4
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| 28 They remained and a time not a little with the disciples. |
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