Saturday, August 14, 2010

Acts Chapter Fourteen

Acts Chapter Fourteen (NIV)
Acts Chapter Fourteen (NASB)

I. SYNOPSIS

Verses 1-7: Paul and Barnabas preach in Iconium.

Verses 8-18: Paul and Barnabas preach in Lystra.

Verses 19-23: Paul stoned for preaching in Lystra.

Verses 24-28: Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch.

II. KEY PASSAGES

(A) Acts 14:14-15--"But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 'Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you . . .'" This is the appropriate response when someone tries to worship you. Paul and Barnabas immediately tear their garments (standard Jewish response to blasphemy) and denounce the claim that they are gods. Compare their reaction with that of Jesus, who, as we have seen, was worshiped as a child (Matthew 2:11), during His ministry (Matthew 14:33; John 9:38), and after His resurrection (Matthew 28:17; Luke 24:52). Neither Jesus nor anyone else ever commanded people not to worship Him.

(B) Acts 14:15--Paul says, "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them." Paul refers to the religious rituals of the pagans as "vain things." He thus criticized their religious views while proclaiming the truth. This criticism no doubt made it easier for Paul's enemies to stir up the crowd and ultimately stone him. Strangely, there are many Christians today who don't believe in refuting false views.

(C) Acts 14:21-22--"When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, 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." It's easy to miss the significance of this passage. Paul had been stoned in Lystra. Presumed dead, he was dragged outside of the city. To the shock of everyone, he returned to the city immediately after the stoning. Paul and Barnabas went on to Derbe. From there, there was a quick route home to Antioch. However, instead of taking the easy route home, they took a longer route and returned to the cities that had just driven them out. But wouldn't this have led to further persecution? Of course. But for Paul, being persecuted was simply a part of being a Christian.

1 comment:

minoria said...

Hello:

Since the other post is now no longer on this page,where NAZAM gave his opinion about Jesus dying,I will post here,even though off-topic.

Hello Nazam:

I found your comment interesting in several ways,the implications are important:

"Perhaps the following Questions with clarify the matter further:

Are we subject to death? Yes
Was Jesus subject to death? Yes

Is our spirit subject to death? No
Was Jesus' spirit subject to death? No

Hence...

Are we immortal? No
Was Jesus immortal? No"

THE LAST PART:

"Hence...

Are we immortal? No
Was Jesus immortal? No"

We are NOT immortal in the sense we have ALWAYS existed,we were created at one time.But according to the Bible the soul is immortal after that.That brings us to what is HUMAN?Was God a HUMAN since eternity?Obviously not.GOD THE SON at one point in history began like us,being born of a woman.

That person is known as JESUS.He was a human.So God the Son was 100% HUMAN in the sense he had to eat,sleep,felt pain,not know everything,and yes,the body died.

EXCEPT

God can NOT CONTRADICT himself,he was a human but he could NOT commit sin,then he would not be God.He could be TEMPTED,where temptation is NOT a sin,it is the OPPORTUNITY to sin,but one decides to do it or not do it.

The essence/nature of Jesus has always and will always exist(it is what makes him God the Son)but the temporary body of Jesus was not immortal.It had to die of old age or execution.In that sense Jesus was not immortal,but that is in conformity with the affirmation that he was 100% human(besides being 100% God).