2. Introduction The Holy Spirit has sent Paul and Barnabas out on their first missionary journey into the Roman world. When the unbelieving Jewish leaders in a city realize they are losing their constituents, they stir up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drive them out of their city. But by that time they have made many converts, both Jews and Gentiles. The Holy Spirit has sent Paul and Barnabas out on their first missionary journey into the Roman world. When the unbelieving Jewish leaders in a city realize they are losing their constituents, they stir up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drive them out of their city. But by that time they have made many converts, both Jews and Gentiles.

3. Iconium Antioch (Pisidian) Antioch Lystra Derbe Mediterranean Sea Cyprus Seleucia Salamas Paphos Attalia Perga 1st Missionary Journey Acts 13 & 14 Modern Day Turkey Satellite Image - NASA

5. Acts 14:1-3 14:1 At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed. 2 But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders. Acts 14:1-3 14:1 At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed. 2 But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders.

6. Paul went into the Jewish Synagogue to teach. Are there any parallels to this today? What would happen if one of us showed up at a Jewish synagogue to teach about Jesus today? Paul went into the Jewish Synagogue to teach. Are there any parallels to this today? What would happen if one of us showed up at a Jewish synagogue to teach about Jesus today? v1 Instead of “as usual” or "together" we may render "in the same manner". When Paul and Barnabas came to Iconium they followed the same procedure as in Pisidian Antioch.

7. What makes the difference between “poisoning” and “evangelizing”? “But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.” - Acts 14:2 (NIV)

8. It is the gospel that makes the great separation between the saved and the lost. Those who love truth and are willing to give up their own ways for God’s way will believe and make the change. Those who do not love truth or God will hold on to what they value in life: power, money, prestige. These Jewish leaders did not want to lose their following so they tried to get rid of the preachers. But the believers held on and became a viable church. It is the gospel that makes the great separation between the saved and the lost. Those who love truth and are willing to give up their own ways for God’s way will believe and make the change. Those who do not love truth or God will hold on to what they value in life: power, money, prestige. These Jewish leaders did not want to lose their following so they tried to get rid of the preachers. But the believers held on and became a viable church.

9. Types of “Poisoning” HALF TRUTHS - Example: Jesus’ trial “AD HOMINEM” - Arguments “Against the man” rather than what he is saying. “RED HERRINGS” - Use of strong biasing words that really don’t apply to the argument. LABELING - Biasing by calling people names and lumping error with truth. Could this happen today HALF TRUTHS - Example: Jesus’ trial “AD HOMINEM” - Arguments “Against the man” rather than what he is saying. “RED HERRINGS” - Use of strong biasing words that really don’t apply to the argument. LABELING - Biasing by calling people names and lumping error with truth. Could this happen today How might the Jews have “poisoned” the Gentiles minds?

10. SCRIPTURE:SCRIPTURE: “2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.” - 2Cor 4:2 (NIV)

11. v3. It took a long time, for the opposition to become serious, and the missionaries continued to preach the gospel freely and boldly. The preaching was confirmed by miraculous signs, of a kind which confirmed the apostolic witness in the eyes of the people. Later, when writing to the converts of Iconium and the other cities evangelized at this time in south Galatia. Paul appeals to the mighty works performed by the power of the Spirit in their midst, as evidence that the message of faith, and NOT the preaching of the law, was the gospel approved by God (Gal 3:5). The gospel is here called "the word of His grace" - ie the message that proclaims the grace of God cf. Ch. 20:24,32 ;

12. Acts 14:3-7 4 The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. 5 There was a plot afoot among the Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. 6 But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, 7 where they continued to preach the good news. The longer that this work of evangelization went on, the more decisively did the population take sides Acts 14:3-7 4 The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. 5 There was a plot afoot among the Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. 6 But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, 7 where they continued to preach the good news. The longer that this work of evangelization went on, the more decisively did the population take sides

13. v6-7. Fortunately, the two men got wind of the plan to man-handle them, and made their escape from Iconium before the mob could gain its objective. But they had made their mark in Iconium. Paul, in particular, left an impression there that was not soon forgotten; It is reflected in the description of him preserved in the 2nd Century Acts of Paul - a description so vigorous and unconventional that it must surely must rest upon a good local tradition of what Paul looked like.

14. One Onesiphorus, a resident in Iconium, sets out to meet Paul, who is on his way to the city. "and he saw Paul approaching, a man small in size, with meeting eyebrows, with a rather large nose, baldheaded, bow- legged, strongly built, full of grace for at times he looked like a man, and at times he had the face of an angel. “

16. In ancient geography, Lycaonia was a large region in the interior of Asia Minor, north of Mount Taurus. It was bounded on the east by Cappadocia, on the north by Galatia, on the west by Phrygia and Pisidia, while to the south it extended to the chain of Mount Taurus, where it bordered on the country popularly called in earlier times Cilicia Tracheia and in the Byzantine period Isauria.Asia Minor Mount TaurusCappadociaGalatiaPhrygiaPisidiaCilicia Tracheia Isauria The people of Lycaonia (#31 on map) probably spoke a distinct dialect of Greek (Acts 14:11).Lycaonia In ancient geography, Lycaonia was a large region in the interior of Asia Minor, north of Mount Taurus. It was bounded on the east by Cappadocia, on the north by Galatia, on the west by Phrygia and Pisidia, while to the south it extended to the chain of Mount Taurus, where it bordered on the country popularly called in earlier times Cilicia Tracheia and in the Byzantine period Isauria.Asia Minor Mount TaurusCappadociaGalatiaPhrygiaPisidiaCilicia Tracheia Isauria The people of Lycaonia (#31 on map) probably spoke a distinct dialect of Greek (Acts 14:11).Lycaonia

17. Acts 14:8-10 8 In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed 10 and called out, "Stand up on your feet!" At that, the man jumped up and began to walk. A man well-known to all people, who has never walked from birth suddenly healed and walking spryly, is an attention- grabbing miracle. Acts 14:8-10 8 In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed 10 and called out, "Stand up on your feet!" At that, the man jumped up and began to walk. A man well-known to all people, who has never walked from birth suddenly healed and walking spryly, is an attention- grabbing miracle.

18. v8. The description of the lame man at Lystra and of his being healed by the word of power spoken by Paul, is notably similar to the description of the lame man in the temple court at Jerusalem in CH 3. But the sequel to the healing is totally different. The genuine and apparently incurable nature of the man's lameness is emphasised by repetition; He had, we are told, no strength in his feet; he was a cripple from birth; he would not have known how to walk.

19. The faith of the person looking to be healed was sometimes an important factor in his healing as this story plainly shows. But in other cases, as in raising a dead child, the faith of the subject was not a factor. But was the faith of someone else - someone who believed the subject would be healed - a factor? If you can please take the time, study the cases recorded in these scriptures: Acts 3:1-10; Luke 5:18-26; 7:12-15; 8:42-56.Acts 3:1-10Luke 5:18-267:12-158:42-56. The faith of the person looking to be healed was sometimes an important factor in his healing as this story plainly shows. But in other cases, as in raising a dead child, the faith of the subject was not a factor. But was the faith of someone else - someone who believed the subject would be healed - a factor? If you can please take the time, study the cases recorded in these scriptures: Acts 3:1-10; Luke 5:18-26; 7:12-15; 8:42-56.Acts 3:1-10Luke 5:18-267:12-158:42-56.

20. Acts 14:11-13 11 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have come down to us in human form!" 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them. Acts 14:11-13 11 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have come down to us in human form!" 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.

21. ACTS 14:12 Note Zeus (Jupiter) was the king of the Gods and Hermes (Mercury) was his messenger. GREEK NAMES: Zeus, Hermes ROMAN NAMES: Jupiter, Mercury It is from the name Hermes we get the word hermeneutics. Zeus (Jupiter) was the king of the Gods and Hermes (Mercury) was his messenger. GREEK NAMES: Zeus, Hermes ROMAN NAMES: Jupiter, Mercury It is from the name Hermes we get the word hermeneutics.

22. Most cities that had the Hellenistic culture had its patron deity. Ephesus had Artemis, Athens had Athena, Pergamum had Zeus. Zeus, King of the Greek pantheon must have been the patron deity of Lystra also. Hermes with the winged feet was the messenger of the gods. These pagans thought Paul was Hermes because he did the talking. They thought Barnabas was Zeus in human form. They were ready to offer animal sacrifices to the apostles. Most cities that had the Hellenistic culture had its patron deity. Ephesus had Artemis, Athens had Athena, Pergamum had Zeus. Zeus, King of the Greek pantheon must have been the patron deity of Lystra also. Hermes with the winged feet was the messenger of the gods. These pagans thought Paul was Hermes because he did the talking. They thought Barnabas was Zeus in human form. They were ready to offer animal sacrifices to the apostles.

23. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 15 “Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them.

24. Unlike Herod Agrippa who accepted divine worship and was eaten by worms, Paul and Barnabas refused to accept such worship. They drew a contrast between the “worthless things,” (Zeus) and the God Who created all things. Then Paul proceeded to tell them about this God Who created heaven and earth and the sea and everything in them. What he proceeds to tell them sounds very much like what he would later tell the Athenian philosophers (Acts 17). Unlike Herod Agrippa who accepted divine worship and was eaten by worms, Paul and Barnabas refused to accept such worship. They drew a contrast between the “worthless things,” (Zeus) and the God Who created all things. Then Paul proceeded to tell them about this God Who created heaven and earth and the sea and everything in them. What he proceeds to tell them sounds very much like what he would later tell the Athenian philosophers (Acts 17). Olympian Zeus

25. v15-17;That God in former days permitted the nations to "walk in their own ways" is parallel to the statement in Ch17:30 that He "overlooked" the times of ignorance before the full revelation of His will appeared. Yet the ignorance should not have been so great as it actually was, for the way in which God ordered the seasons, so as to give food to all flesh, ought to have made men mindful of Him and of His claims upon their worship. In Romans 19ff. Paul also emphasises that if men had payed heed to the works of God in creation, they might even in them have found tokens of His "everlasting power and divinity" (v20.)

26. 16 Through history, He let all nations go their own way. One of the clearest statements in the Bible on free will

27. 16 Through history, He let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons… 16 Through history, He let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons… Paul’s First Journey II External general revelation

28. 16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” 16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” Paul’s First Journey II External general revelation Rom. 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 1. The presence of design implies the presence of a designer 2. Our world manifests the presence of design Inorganic evolution: Plausible or implausible? James Coppage: “The length of the average protein in the smallest known living thing is at least 400 amino acid links, containing more than 7,000 atoms.” Each cell requires millions of protein molecules arranged precisely into dozens of organelles A living organism must be capable of self-propagation, feeding, digestion, etc.

32. Paul’s First Journey II All of these and many more are required in every living cell! What are the chances of this happening by accident? How does this Compare to a watch

33. 16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” 16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” Paul’s First Journey II External general revelation Rom. 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 1. The presence of design implies the presence of a designer 2. Our world manifests the presence of design 3. Therefore, a designer exists 4. Such a designer must be sufficient to account for the design

34. 16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” 16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” Paul’s First Journey II External general revelation Rom. 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 4. Such a designer must be sufficient to account for the design IntellectWillForethoughtPowerPersonalityDeity

35. 16 Through history, He let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” 16 Through history, He let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” Internal general revelation

36. 16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” 16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” Paul’s First Journey II Internal general revelation 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. Significance Freedom Moral motions Creativity Love = personal, spiritual beings

37. 16 Through history, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” 16 Through history, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” Paul’s First Journey II External and Internal general revelation brings APPRECIATION

38. The solar system, the earth and natural processes are finely tuned and designed to support life and make it pleasant and bountiful for those who work hard and avoid criminal behaviors. This is testimony to the goodness of God. Gentiles had their laws from God that they had received through Noah. Did God always accept their worship if they loved Him and tried to the best of their knowledge to please Him?. The solar system, the earth and natural processes are finely tuned and designed to support life and make it pleasant and bountiful for those who work hard and avoid criminal behaviors. This is testimony to the goodness of God. Gentiles had their laws from God that they had received through Noah. Did God always accept their worship if they loved Him and tried to the best of their knowledge to please Him?.

39. 16 Through history, He let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet He has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; He provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” 18 Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them. 16 Through history, He let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet He has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; He provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” 18 Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.

40. After the healing of the lame man and Paul’s preaching, the Jews came down from Iconium and were able to stir up some of the city leaders and cause Paul to be stoned, dragged outside the city and left for dead. How do you suppose that the Jews were able to turn the crowd around from wanting to worship Paul and Barnabas to wanting to stone them (Vs 19)? After the healing of the lame man and Paul’s preaching, the Jews came down from Iconium and were able to stir up some of the city leaders and cause Paul to be stoned, dragged outside the city and left for dead. How do you suppose that the Jews were able to turn the crowd around from wanting to worship Paul and Barnabas to wanting to stone them (Vs 19)? Naaman’s wife hears about Elisha.