The Acts of the Apostles Acts 14 – Preaching, Persecution, And Perseverance Sunday – November 5, 2017 Many of the slides used in this presentation are prepared by Joe Price and are used and adapted with his permission.

Speaking Boldly in the Lord, Acts 14:3 Purposes of gospel preaching Produce faith that leads to salvation, 14:1; Romans 10:13-15 (“call upon”); 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 (“through our gospel”); Hebrews 5:9 (“obey him”); James 2:17-26 (“not only by faith”) Oppose faithlessness, 14:13-18 (“vain things”) Strengthen the souls of the disciples, 14:22 “to support further, i.e. reestablish” (Strong) Use the teaching opportunities God gives, 14:27; Ephesians 6:19-20 (“speak boldly”) Verse 3 – for “boldly” (used 35 times in NT) see also Acts 4:3, 29, 31; 9:27, 29; 13:46; 18:26; 19:8; 28:31 (9 other times in Acts) Verse 22 – for “confirming,” “strengthening” (used four times in NT) see also Acts 15:32, 41; 18:23 Verse 27 – for “opened a door” see also I Corinthians 16:9 and II Corinthians 2:12

ICONIUM, Acts 14:1-5 Capital of Lycaonia About 120 miles northeast of the Mediterranean On the major trade route between Western Asia (i.e. – Ephesus) and the Eastern provinces all the way to the Euphrates. Paul and Barnabas first came here in about 45 AD (American Tract Society Dictionary, published in 1859). Returned here in verse 21 (see also 18:23)

Lycaonia, Acts 14:6 A district of Asia Minor “… for the most part, a dreary plain, bare of trees, destitute of fresh water, and with several salt lakes” (Smith’s Bible Dictionary, 1863) “… the country is level, but not fertile, though peculiarly adapted to pasturage” (ATS Bible Dictionary, 1859) Major cities are: Lystra (Lustra) and Derbe (Derbe) The “speech of Lycaonia” is unknown today Lycaonia – “land of Lycon,” “wolf land”

Lystra, Acts 14:6-20 A Roman colonia in Lycaonia About 18 miles south of Iconium “… in a wild district and among a rude population” (Easton’s Bible Dictionary, 1893) A temple to Zeus (Jupiter) was located at the city and a statue of Hermes (Mercury) was in the vicinity (ISBE, 1915) Lystra – “dissolves,” “disperses”

Speaking Boldly in the Lord, Acts 14:3 Persuasive gospel preaching is built upon: Careful reasoning from the Scriptures, 14:1 (“so spake”) (13:16-41 – “hearken …”) Reasoning and explaining, Acts 17:2-3 (Thessalonica – “reasoned with them …”) Speaking truth and reason, Acts 26:24-25 (defense before Festus) Reason and result: Faith “in the power of God,” not men, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Careful reasoning can be seen from the beginning of the preaching of the gospel: Acts 2:14-36 (Peter); Acts 3:12-26 (Peter); Acts 7:1-53 (Stephen); Acts 8:35 (Philip); Acts 11:4-17 (Peter)

Speaking Boldly in the Lord, Acts 14:3 Persuasive gospel preaching is built upon: Miraculous validation, 14:3 (“signs and wonders”); Mark 16:20 (“confirming the word”) It is revelation from God, Galatians 1:11-12 (“through revelation of Jesus Christ”) Miraculous validation of God’s power and approval, 14:8-10; Acts 3:6 (“walk”) Irrefutable evidence, 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (“demonstration”); Hebrews 2:3-4 (“signs and wonders”) Revelation – see Luke 2:25-32 (Simeon and Jesus at the Temple); Romans 16:25-27 (“revelation of the mystery”); Ephesians 3:3 (“by revelation …”); Jude 3 (“once for all delivered”)