What is the meaning of Acts 14:7? Setting the Scene Acts 14 records Paul and Barnabas leaving Iconium under threat (Acts 14:5-6). “There they continued to preach the gospel” (Acts 14:7) picks up the story in the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe. There: Strategic Locations • Lystra and Derbe sat on a Roman road linking cultures; the gospel could ripple outward easily (compare Acts 16:2). • Moving on after persecution follows Jesus’ pattern: “When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next” (Matthew 10:23). • It highlights God’s sovereignty—hostile towns cannot choke His mission; He simply redirects His servants (Acts 8:1, 4). They Continued: Perseverance in Mission • “Continued” shows resolve. Opposition did not stall them; it sharpened them (Acts 13:50-52). • Luke underscores habitual obedience: preaching was not an occasional hobby but a settled lifestyle (2 Timothy 4:2). • The Spirit empowers endurance (Acts 1:8); boldness flows from being filled with Him (Acts 4:31). To Preach: The Central Task • Preaching (κηρύσσω) in Acts consistently means heralding publicly—explaining, persuading, and calling for response (Acts 17:3-4). • Paul and Barnabas preached in marketplaces, synagogues, homes—wherever people gathered (Acts 20:20). • Preaching centers on Christ crucified and risen, not personal opinion (1 Corinthians 2:1-2). The Gospel: Unchanging Message • “Gospel” = good news that Jesus saves sinners through His death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). • It is the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16); the only message that truly transforms (Acts 26:18). • No adjustments were made for a Gentile audience; the same gospel fits every culture (Galatians 1:8-9). Fruit That Followed • Lystra saw a healed cripple and a citywide stir (Acts 14:8-10). • Derbe produced “many disciples” (Acts 14:21). • Paul later returned to strengthen these believers (Acts 16:1-2), illustrating that faithful preaching plants churches. Application Today • When doors close, look for the “there” God opens. • Keep going; gospel advance thrives on perseverance, not perfect conditions. • Make preaching—clear declaration of Christ—the main thing, trusting God for results. summary Acts 14:7 captures the unwavering rhythm of early missionary life: in every new place God provides, His servants keep announcing the same life-changing gospel. Hostility relocates them but never silences them, and the Spirit turns their perseverance into new believers and new churches. Today, the verse invites us to move forward, keep preaching, and rest in the power of the unchanging good news of Jesus Christ. |
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