Acts 14:21
They preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,
They preached the gospel
The phrase "preached the gospel" comes from the Greek word "euangelizō," which means to announce good news. In the context of the early church, this was the proclamation of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The act of preaching the gospel was central to the mission of the apostles, as it was the means by which they spread the message of salvation. Historically, this reflects the apostolic commitment to evangelism, a cornerstone of Christian faith, emphasizing the transformative power of the gospel message.

to that city
The city referred to here is Derbe, a location in the region of Galatia. Derbe was a frontier city of the Roman Empire, and its mention highlights the geographical spread of the gospel. The apostles' journey to Derbe signifies the expansion of Christianity beyond Jewish territories into Gentile regions, fulfilling the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations. This movement into diverse cultural contexts underscores the universal nature of the Christian message.

and made many disciples
The making of disciples involves more than mere conversion; it encompasses teaching and nurturing new believers in the faith. The Greek word "mathēteuō" implies a process of learning and following. This reflects the early church's emphasis on discipleship, where new converts were instructed in the teachings of Jesus and integrated into the Christian community. Historically, this process was crucial for the establishment and growth of the church, ensuring that the faith was passed on and lived out authentically.

Then they returned
The return journey of the apostles to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch indicates a strategic approach to ministry. By revisiting these cities, Paul and Barnabas were able to strengthen and encourage the fledgling Christian communities they had established. This return trip highlights the importance of follow-up and pastoral care in the early church, ensuring that new believers were supported and grounded in their faith.

to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch
These cities were significant centers of early Christian activity. Lystra and Iconium were part of the Roman province of Galatia, while Antioch (in Pisidia) was a major city in the region. The mention of these cities underscores the challenges and opposition the apostles faced, as well as their perseverance in the mission. Historically, these locations were pivotal in the spread of Christianity, serving as bases for further missionary work and the establishment of churches. The apostles' dedication to these communities reflects the enduring commitment to the Great Commission, a call that continues to inspire Christians today.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul and Barnabas
The primary missionaries in this passage, who are actively spreading the gospel and making disciples.

2. The City
Refers to Derbe, where Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel and made many disciples.

3. Lystra
A city where Paul and Barnabas had previously faced persecution but returned to strengthen the disciples.

4. Iconium
Another city where they had preached earlier and faced opposition, yet they returned to encourage the believers.

5. Antioch
Refers to Pisidian Antioch, a place where Paul and Barnabas had initially preached and faced resistance.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Perseverance in Ministry
Despite facing persecution, Paul and Barnabas returned to the cities where they had been opposed. This teaches us the importance of perseverance and commitment in our ministry efforts.

Disciple-Making as a Core Mission
The passage emphasizes making disciples as a central mission of the church. We are called to not only share the gospel but also to nurture and grow new believers in their faith.

Strengthening and Encouraging Believers
Paul and Barnabas's return to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch highlights the need to strengthen and encourage fellow believers, especially in the face of trials.

The Role of Community in Faith
The return to these cities underscores the importance of community and fellowship in the Christian faith, as believers are encouraged and supported by one another.

Faithfulness to God's Call
Paul and Barnabas's journey reflects their faithfulness to God's call, reminding us to remain faithful to the mission God has given us, regardless of challenges.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the example of Paul and Barnabas in Acts 14:21 inspire you to persevere in your own ministry or personal mission?

2. In what ways can you actively participate in the disciple-making process within your community or church?

3. Reflect on a time when you faced opposition or challenges in your faith journey. How can the actions of Paul and Barnabas encourage you to continue?

4. How can you contribute to strengthening and encouraging fellow believers in your local church or small group?

5. Consider the role of community in your faith. How can you foster a supportive and encouraging environment for others in your faith community?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Matthew 28:19-20
The Great Commission, where Jesus commands His disciples to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey His commands. This connects to the mission work of Paul and Barnabas in Acts 14:21.

Acts 13:50-52
Describes the opposition Paul and Barnabas faced in Pisidian Antioch, highlighting their perseverance in returning to strengthen the believers.

2 Timothy 2:2
Paul instructs Timothy to entrust the teachings to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others, reflecting the disciple-making process seen in Acts 14:21.

Acts 9:15-16
God's calling of Paul as a chosen instrument to proclaim His name to the Gentiles, which is being fulfilled in Acts 14:21.

Hebrews 10:24-25
Encourages believers to spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, which aligns with Paul and Barnabas's return to encourage the churches.
Apostles and Crusaders on the Same TrackJ. S. Howson, D. D.Acts 14:19-28
Dangers and SuccessesR.A. Redford Acts 14:19-28
End of Paul's First Missionary JourneySermons by the Monday ClubActs 14:19-28
Fickleness of the PopulaceActs 14:19-28
From Derbe to AntiochD. Thomas, D. D.Acts 14:19-28
Stoning the GodsT. Champness.Acts 14:19-28
The Best Gain of a Servant of God Returning HomeActs 14:19-28
The Close of the First Missionary JourneyJ. Parker, D. D.Acts 14:19-28
The End of the First Missionary JourneyM. C. Hazard.Acts 14:19-28
The Fickleness of the LystriansJ. S. Howson, D. D.Acts 14:19-28
The Minister's WorkActs 14:19-28
The Stoning of PaulS. S. TimesActs 14:19-28
The Christian Leader and the NovitiateW. Clarkson Acts 14:21-23
Return to Antioch: a Picture of Apostolic ActivityE. Johnson Acts 14:21-28
The Return HomeP.C. Barker Acts 14:21-28
People
Barnabas, Hermes, Jupiter, Mercurius, Paul
Places
Attalia, Derbe, Iconium, Lycaonia, Lystra, Pamphylia, Perga, Pisidia, Pisidian Antioch, Syrian Antioch
Topics
Announced, Antioch, Converts, Discipled, Disciples, Gaining, Glad, Gospel, Iconium, Ico'nium, Large, Lystra, News, Preached, Preaching, Proclaimed, Proclaiming, Retraced, Returned, Steps, Taught, Tidings, Town, Won
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Acts 14:21

     5426   news

Acts 14:1-23

     7924   fellowship, in service

Acts 14:21-22

     2425   gospel, requirements
     5569   suffering, hardship
     7756   preaching, content
     7757   preaching, effects
     7760   preachers, responsibilities
     8028   faith, body of beliefs
     8415   encouragement, examples

Acts 14:21-23

     7741   missionaries, task

Acts 14:21-28

     5108   Paul, life of

Library
Dream and Reality
'The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.' --ACTS xiv. 11. This was the spontaneous instinctive utterance of simple villagers when they saw a deed of power and kindness. Many an English traveller and settler among rude people has been similarly honoured. And in Lycaonia the Apostles were close upon places that were celebrated in Greek mythology as having witnessed the very two gods, here spoken of, wandering among the shepherds and entertained with modest hospitality in their huts. The
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

'The Door of Faith'
'And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.'--ACTS xiv. 27. There are many instances of the occurrence of this metaphor in the New Testament, but none is exactly like this. We read, for example, of 'a great door and effectual' being opened to Paul for the free ministry of the word; and to the angel of the Church in Philadelphia, 'He that openeth and none shall shut' graciously
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Deified and Stoned
'And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. 12. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. 13. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. 14. Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

The Cripple at Lystra
There are two or three points in this narrative to which I shall call your attention to-night, making, however, the lame man the center of the picture. We shall notice, first of all, what preceded this lame man's faith; secondly, wherein lay his faith to be healed; and thirdly, what is the teaching of the miracle itself, and the blessing which the lame man obtained through faith. I. WHAT WAS IT WHICH PRECEDED HIS FAITH? That "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God," is a great and
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 10: 1864

Historical Criticism of Mediæval Amplifications.
But along with the genuine and trustworthy matter, the compiler has embodied much that is unattested and in many cases inherently improbable, and even some things that are demonstrably untrue. i. The Miraculous Details.--To the category of the improbable--the fiction of hagiology or the growth of myth--belong the miracles so freely ascribed to Ephraim and the miraculous events represented as attending on his career. It is noteworthy that Ephraim himself, though no doubt he believed that he was
Ephraim the Syrian—Hymns and Homilies of Ephraim the Syrian

St. Barnabas' Day. We Preach unto You that Ye Should Turn from These Vanities unto the Living God which Made Heaven
St. Barnabas' Day. We preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: who in time past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless He left not Himself without witness, in that He did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. 7,7,7,7,7,7,7,7,7,7 Sollt ich meinem Gott nicht singen [130]Paul Gerhardt. 1659. trans. by Catherine
Catherine Winkworth—Lyra Germanica: The Christian Year

Whether it was Fitting that Christ Should be Transfigured?
Objection 1: It would seem that it was not fitting that Christ should be transfigured. For it is not fitting for a true body to be changed into various shapes [figuras], but only for an imaginary body. Now Christ's body was not imaginary, but real, as stated above ([4222]Q[5], A[1]). Therefore it seems that it should not have been transfigured. Objection 2: Further, figure is in the fourth species of quality, whereas clarity is in the third, since it is a sensible quality. Therefore Christ's assuming
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Of Bearing the Cross --One Branch of Self-Denial.
1. What the cross is. By whom, and on whom, and for what cause imposed. Its necessity and dignity. 2. The cross necessary. 1. To humble our pride. 2. To make us apply to God for aid. Example of David. 3. To give us experience of God's presence. 3. Manifold uses of the cross. 1. Produces patience, hope, and firm confidence in God, gives us victory and perseverance. Faith invincible. 4. 2. Frames us to obedience. Example of Abraham. This training how useful. 5. The cross necessary to subdue the wantonness
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Jewish Rejecters and Gentile Receivers
'And the next Sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. 45. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. 46. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. 47. For so hath the
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Paul at Athens
'Then Paul stood In the midst of Mars-hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. 23. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To the Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. 24. God, that made the world, and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25. Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though He needed
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

The Publisher to the Reader.
There are no sermons I know of any divine or pastor in this kingdom, that have been more frequently printed, or more universally read and esteemed, than the elegant and judicious discourses of Mr. Binning, which were published after his death, at different times, in four small volumes. As there was a great demand for these valuable writings, about twenty six years ago; so these printed copies of them were compared with his own manuscript copy now in my hand, carefully revised, and then printed, in
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Of Bearing the Cross --One Branch of Self-Denial.
The four divisions of this chapter are,--I. The nature of the cross, its necessity and dignity, sec. 1, 2. II. The manifold advantages of the cross described, sec. 3-6. III. The form of the cross the most excellent of all, and yet it by no means removes all sense of pain, sec. 7, 8. IV. A description of warfare under the cross, and of true patience, (not that of philosophers,) after the example of Christ, sec. 9-11. 1. THE pious mind must ascend still higher, namely, whither Christ calls his disciples
Archpriest John Iliytch Sergieff—On the Christian Life

Apostles To-Day?
"Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are ye not my work in the Lord?"--1 Cor. ix. 1. We may not take leave of the apostolate without a last look at the circle of its members. It is a closed circle; and every effort to reopen it tends to efface a characteristic of the New Covenant. And yet the effort is being made again and again. We see it in Rome's apostolic succession; in the Ethical view gradually effacing the boundary-line between the apostles and believers;
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Letter xi (Circa A. D. 1120) the Abbot of Saint Nicasius at Rheims
The Abbot of Saint Nicasius at Rheims He consoles this abbot for the departure of the Monk Drogo and his transfer to another monastery, and exhorts him to patience. 1. How much I sympathize with your trouble only He knows who bore the griefs of all in His own body. How willingly would I advise you if I knew what to say, or help you if I were able, as efficaciously as I would wish that He who knows and can do all things should advise and assist me in all my necessities. If brother Drogo had consulted
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

The Sovereignty of God in Reprobation
"Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God" (Rom. 11:22). In the last chapter when treating of the Sovereignty of God the Father in Salvation, we examined seven passages which represent Him as making a choice from among the children of men, and predestinating certain ones to be conformed to the image of His Son. The thoughtful reader will naturally ask, And what of those who were not "ordained to eternal life?" The answer which is usually returned to this question, even by those who profess
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

Holy violence
"But," says one, "do you wish us to understand, that if a man is to be saved he must use violence and vehement earnestness in order to obtain salvation?" I do, most assuredly; that is the doctrine of the text. "But," says one, "I thought it was all the work of God." So it is, from first to last. But when God has begun the work in the soul, the constant effect of God's work in us is to set us working; and where God's Spirit is really striving with us, we shall begin to strive too. This is just a test
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859

Phil. 1:01 the Rights and Duties of Lay Churchmen.
[19] "Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons."--Phil. 1:1. THIS opening verse of St. Paul's Epistle to the Philippians is a very remarkable text of Scripture. I suspect it receives far less attention from Bible- readers than it deserves. Like the gold of California, men have walked over it for centuries, and have not observed what was under their feet. In fact, if some Anglican divines had stood at the
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times

Though These Eternal Moral Obligations are Indeed of Themselves Incumbent on all Rational Beings,
even antecedent to the consideration of their being the positive will and command of God, yet that which most strongly confirms, and in practice most effectually and indispensably enforces them upon us, is this; that both from the perfections of God, and the nature of things, and from several other collateral considerations, it appears, that as God is himself necessarily just and good in the exercise of his infinite power in the government of the whole world, so he cannot but likewise positively
Samuel Clarke—A Discourse Concerning the Being and Attributes of God

The Extension of the Church Throughout the World
A.D. 45-70 Section 1. The First Mission to the Gentiles. [Sidenote: A.D. 45.] [Sidenote: St. Paul and St. Barnabas sent to preach to the heathen.] It would seem that in the special Eucharistic offerings and Lenten discipline mentioned by St. Luke[1], the Church in Antioch was seeking guidance of her Divine Head as to her duties with respect to the gentile world in the midst of which she was placed; and that the command of the Holy Ghost to consecrate St. Paul and St. Barnabas as Apostles to the
John Henry Blunt—A Key to the Knowledge of Church History

Concerning Persecution
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10 We are now come to the last beatitude: Blessed are they which are persecuted . . '. Our Lord Christ would have us reckon the cost. Which of you intending to build a tower sitteth not down first and counteth the cost, whether he have enough to finish it?' (Luke 14:28). Religion will cost us the tears of repentance and the blood of persecution. But we see here a great encouragement that may
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Epistle xxxix. To Anastasius, Bishop .
To Anastasius, Bishop [1602] . Gregory to Anastasius, Bishop of Antioch. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of good will (Luke ii. 14), because that great river which once had left the rocks of Antioch dry has returned at length to its proper channel, and waters the subject valleys that are near, so as also to bring forth fruit, some thirty-fold, some sixty-fold, and some an hundred-fold. For now there is no doubt that many flowers of souls are growing up in its valleys, and that
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Messiah Suffering and Wounded for Us
Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: ..... He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. W hen our Lord was transfigured, Moses and Elijah appeared in glory and conversed with Him. Had we been informed of the interview only, we should probably have desired to know the subject of their conversation, as we might reasonably suppose it turned upon very interesting and important
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

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