Project 119: Acts 14:1-18
| Project 119 | Dr. Wayne Splawn
It would be easy for us to idolize the apostles as we read through the book of Acts. After all, they preached sermons and large numbers of people came to faith in Christ and they performed miracles that demonstrated the power and presence of God among them. If we are not careful, we will begin to believe that the apostles were able to do these mighty acts because they were exceptional followers of Christ rather than normal people like us.
In Acts 14:8-18, we read of a miracle Paul performed in the city of Lystra. Paul and Barnabas met a man who had been unable to use his feet since birth. Luke writes that Paul saw the man’s faith and commanded him to stand upright. The man was miraculously healed and the people of the town respond by worshipping Paul and Barnabas. They assume the men must be gods because of the mighty works they were able to do. Paul and Barnabas did everything they could to convince the citizens of Lytra they were ordinary people just like them and that they should direct their worship to God rather than to them because it is God who has performed this mighty act of healing.
I doubt any of us would knowingly offer worship to Paul or Barnabas. We know that God alone is worthy of our worship. However, I do think we might be tempted to believe that Paul, Barnabas, or any of the other apostles were used by God because they were special. If we buy into this line of thinking, we will then conclude that God could never do anything of worth through us. But, the truth of the matter is that God is able to accomplish mighty things through whomsoever He chooses. In fact, God delights to use weak, ordinary vessels like you and me to do extraordinary things. When God works in this way He rightly receives the honor and glory. As you continue to read through the book of Acts, ask God to be at work in your life in powerful ways. Admit your weaknesses, fears, and apprehensions, but by all means make yourself available to God. There is no telling what God might do in and through us to draw men and women to Himself so that He might be glorified through our lives.
Acts 14:1-18 (ESV):
Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 6 they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, 7 and there they continued to preach the gospel.
8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, 10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. 11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out,15 “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. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” 18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.