The Book of Acts

Paul & Barnabas Visit Lystra & Derbe

Acts 14:8-20 NLT

“While they were at Lystra, Paul and Barnabas came upon a man with crippled feet. He had been that way from birth, so he had never walked. He was sitting and listening as Paul preached. Looking straight at him, Paul realized he had faith to be healed.”- Acts 14:8-9

            Following the Lord’s leading, the Apostles went straightaway to Lystra to preach the gospel. There is a rather curious reason why the natives of that town lavished gifts upon Paul & Barnabas. Zeus & Hermes were two well-known and popular Roman gods. The people of Lystra claimed both Zeus & Hermes once visited their city. During this visit no one but an elderly couple offered hospitality to the gods, which angered them so much so that killed every inhabitant of the city of Lystra save the elderly couple. The miracles the Apostles performed in the name of Christ caused the people of Lystra to assume they were the gods returning and to avoid another slaughter, spared no expense on the Apostles. Upon seeing this Paul & Barnabas tore their clothes in dismay, saying they were only human like them and not gods as they supposed.

            It was about this time that some Jews from Iconium came and turned the crowd against both Apostles. While they were unable to stone Paul in Iconium, this time they whipped the crowd into a frenzy, stoning Paul and leaving him for dead outside the city limits. When the new believers surrounded Paul he became revived and went back into town to preach. If nothing else Paul was a man of intense commitment. The following day both Paul and Barnabas left for Dernbe,

            Our lesson for today is that we are to be committed to the Lord and no one else. Do not allow yourself to be swayed by public opinion, for there is no benefit to doing so. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In his name & for his glory.

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible