Preaching in Asia Minor, Acts 14

This post concerns persecution during preaching in Asia Minor.

Preaching in Asia Minor discusses the hardships Paul endured to preach the gospel.

When the Jews incited the leading people of Antioch to persecute Paul and Barnabas, they moved south and east to Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe.

At Iconium, Paul preached in the Jewish synagogue and converted many Jews and Greeks. That preaching and miracles divided the city into two opposing camps, Jews and Gentiles, Acts14:5-6. “When an attempt was made …to mistreat them and to stone them, they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe,”

In Lystra, Paul and Barnabas did not find a synagogue and were forced to preach publicly.

When they healed a man, the surrounding crowd decided they were two heathen gods and prepared to sacrifice to them. But Paul spoke up and reminded them that they were just men. Then, he began to speak of the real God, the creator of everything. This preaching angered the crowd who stoned Paul, dragged the body out of the city, and left him. However, Paul arose and departed for Derbe, a nearby city, where they had success preaching and converting many.

Then, after a time they retraced their steps, Acts 14:21-22. “they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”

At the same time, they organized the churches, Acts 14:23. “…when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”

Note two key facts. Every church received a plurality of elders. This appointment by inspired men made up church organization as God wished.

Paul and Barnabus then returned to their home congregation in Antioch of Syria, Acts 14:27. “And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.”

So, what did we learn?

1.Paul preached the gospel despite persecution.

2.Paul and Barnabas appointed a plurality of elders every church.

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