Acts: To The Ends Of The EarthSample

The first missionary journey continues with visits to Iconium (vv. 1–7), Lystra, and Derbe (vv. 8–20). The visit to Iconium features bold proclamation of the gospel, signs, and wonders. At Lystra, Paul’s first miracle of healing takes place (vv. 8–10).

There are striking parallels in Luke’s description of the public emergence of Jesus and Paul:

• Luke 4:1–13: Jesus confronts the devil; Acts 13:4–12: Paul confronts the child of the devil.
• Luke 4:14–30: Jesus preaches in the synagogue and is rejected; Acts 13:13–43: Paul preaches in the synagogue to a divided response.
• Luke 4:38–44; 5:17–26: Jesus heals many, including a paralytic; Acts 14:8–10: Paul heals a paralytic.

Just as Jesus the Saviour emerges into the public arena, so does His primary representative in the Gentile world. Paul is in solidarity with Jesus, and Jesus continues His work through Paul.

There is also a parallel here with Peter’s healing of the paralytic (Acts 3). This demonstrates Paul’s apostleship is of the same order as Peter’s.

The people of Lystra want to give Paul and Barnabas divine status. Their response (vv. 14–15) is a clear contrast to Herod’s in chapter 12.

Paul responds to these people with a clear message to a pagan audience, whose lives are dominated by agricultural cycles (vv. 15–17). Firstly, he insists on the humanness of the messenger. Secondly, that God the creator has shown kindness by giving rain, crops, food and joy. Thirdly, people should turn from the worship of men to the living God. Finally, God’s attitude to humanity has been patient acceptance, but that has now changed (see Acts 17:30).

The pattern of this message is very close to Paul’s description of the conversion of the Thessalonians (see 1 Thess. 1:9–10).

Once more the Jews win the crowd and, consequently, Paul is stoned and left for dead. Later, the team returns and encourages the believers by telling them what is in store for them (v. 22).

We must not be unrealistic as we face the future. Unrealistic expectations always cause doubt. See how Jesus tells the disciples what is ahead of them in John 16:1, 4, 33. Such warnings are given to us for the same reason as to the first Christians in Lystra—to strengthen and encourage them (and us) "to remain true to the faith" (v. 22).

Reflection

Prosperity theology is often popular, teaching that following Jesus leads to health and wealth. How does what you are reading in Acts challenge this thinking and teaching? Opposition to the gospel is inevitable. What response is called for in the face of such opposition?