How does Acts 14:12 connect to the First Commandment in Exodus 20:3? Setting the Scene in Lystra • Acts 14:12: “Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.” • A miraculous healing (Acts 14:8–10) leaves the Lystrans convinced the two missionaries are incarnations of their favorite deities. • The crowd prepares offerings, drawing the apostles into a direct clash with a timeless command from Sinai. The First Commandment Stated • Exodus 20:3: “You shall have no other gods before Me.” • God’s declaration is exclusive; loyalty, worship, and ultimate trust belong to Him alone. The Collision with the Commandment • By labeling Barnabas “Zeus” and Paul “Hermes,” the Lystrans elevate created men to divine status. • This act violates the First Commandment in two ways: – Introduces “other gods” into the place reserved for the LORD. – Attempts to redirect worship and sacrifice away from the living God. Paul and Barnabas’ Immediate Response • Acts 14:14–15: “But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard about this, they tore their clothes and rushed into the crowd, shouting: ‘Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are proclaiming the good news to you, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God…’” • Tearing clothes signals horror over idolatry, underscoring how seriously God views false worship. • Their sermon redirects attention to “the living God, who made heaven and earth and the sea and everything in them” (v. 15), echoing the exclusive Creator status behind Exodus 20:3. Other Scriptures Echoing the Same Warning • Deuteronomy 6:14: “Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you.” • Isaiah 42:8: “I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not give My glory to another…” • 1 Corinthians 8:5–6: Though many are called gods, “for us there is but one God, the Father… and one Lord, Jesus Christ…” • 1 John 5:21: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” Timeless Lessons for Our Hearts • Miracles and gifted leaders can tempt people to misdirect worship—only Scripture shields us from that error. • Genuine servants of God reject glory that belongs to Him; they point every accolade back to the Creator. • The First Commandment is not merely an ancient rule; Acts 14 shows its enduring relevance in the New Testament era. Practical Applications Today • Evaluate any person, possession, or pursuit that competes for the supreme place God alone deserves. • Cultivate habits of praise that center on God’s character and works, preventing misplaced adoration. • Follow Paul and Barnabas’ example: deflect honor that belongs to God, and boldly affirm His unique glory. |
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