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| 1 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the 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 unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. |
Minds – Greek, psuche; souls, beings. E335
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| 3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted 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 But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. |
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| 5 And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, 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 They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: |
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 preached the gospel. |
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| 8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: |
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| 9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving 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, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped 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 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. |
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, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
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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 Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. |
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 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, 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, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: |
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 times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. |
Own ways – Untaught, unrestrained. R4369:4
Their opportunity will come afterwards. R33:5*
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| 17 Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our 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 with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto 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 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been 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 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed 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 when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to 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, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation 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 when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they 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 after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. |
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| 25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: |
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| 26 And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of 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 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. |
Gathered the church – Gave them a report of the work done as their representatives. R1957:4
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| 28 And there they abode long time with the disciples. |
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