Topical Encyclopedia In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul is a central figure in the spread of Christianity and the establishment of early churches. One notable event in his ministry is when the people attempted to worship him, as recorded in the Book of Acts. This incident highlights both the miraculous power of God working through Paul and the misunderstandings that can arise when divine acts are witnessed by those unfamiliar with the true God.Context and Setting The event takes place during Paul's first missionary journey, as he and Barnabas travel to the city of Lystra, located in the region of Lycaonia, which is part of modern-day Turkey. Lystra was a pagan city, and its inhabitants were largely unfamiliar with Jewish customs and the teachings of the God of Israel. The Miracle at Lystra In Acts 14:8-10, Paul performs a miraculous healing. A man who had been lame from birth and had never walked was listening to Paul speak. Observing that the man had faith to be healed, Paul called out, "Stand up on your feet!" (Acts 14:10). The man immediately jumped up and began to walk, an act that astonished the onlookers. The Reaction of the People The response of the Lystrans was one of awe and confusion. They exclaimed in their native Lycaonian language, "The gods have come down to us in human form!" (Acts 14:11). They identified Barnabas as Zeus, the chief of the Greek gods, and Paul as Hermes, the messenger god, because he was the chief speaker (Acts 14:12). The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates, intending to offer sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas (Acts 14:13). This reaction underscores the polytheistic beliefs of the people and their tendency to interpret extraordinary events through the lens of their own religious framework. Paul and Barnabas' Response Upon realizing the intentions of the crowd, Paul and Barnabas were deeply distressed. They tore their clothes, a traditional Jewish expression of horror and mourning, and rushed into the crowd, shouting, "Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them" (Acts 14:15). Paul and Barnabas used this opportunity to redirect the people's attention from themselves to the one true God, emphasizing His role as the Creator. They explained that in the past, God allowed nations to walk in their own ways, yet He did not leave Himself without testimony, providing blessings such as rain and fruitful seasons (Acts 14:16-17). The Outcome Despite their efforts to dissuade the crowd, Paul and Barnabas had difficulty preventing the people from sacrificing to them (Acts 14:18). This incident illustrates the challenges faced by the apostles in communicating the gospel to those steeped in pagan traditions. It also highlights the importance of humility and the refusal to accept glory that belongs to God alone. Significance This event in Lystra serves as a powerful reminder of the apostles' commitment to the truth of the gospel and their rejection of any form of idolatry. It underscores the transformative power of the gospel message, which calls people to turn from false gods to the living God. The incident also foreshadows the opposition and misunderstandings that Paul and his companions would continue to face as they spread the message of Christ throughout the Gentile world. Nave's Topical Index Acts 14:11-18And 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. Nave's Topical Index Library Paul and Barnabas in Foreign Lands Paul at Athens Berea and Athens Knowledge. Worship. Gratitude. The Lord's Day --The Worship of the Apostolic Church --Its ... "In the Spirit and Power of Elias" The Golden Calf Paul in Jerusalem. Paul and Silas in Thessalonica and Berea. A Summary of Experience and a Body of Divinity Resources Is the New Perspective on Paul biblical? | GotQuestions.orgDid Paul ever meet Jesus in person? | GotQuestions.org Who was Paul in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Paul: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Paul Escapes to Derbe, where he Preaches the Gospel, and Returns to Lystra Paul is Bitten by a Viper and Miraculously Unharmed Paul is Brought Before the Sanhedrin; his Defense Paul is Confined in Herod's Judgment Hall in Caesarea Paul is Confined in the Fortress Paul is Delayed in Melita for Three Months Paul is Encouraged by a Vision from God, Promising Him That he Will Give Testimony in Rome Paul is Escorted to Caesarea by a Military Guard Paul is Persecuted by Certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, and is Stoned Paul is Persecuted by the Jews Paul is Received by the Brethren Gladly Paul is Released by the Civil Authorities on the Grounds of his Being a Roman Citizen Paul is Returned to the Fortress Paul is Taken to Rome in the Custody of Julius, a Centurion, and a Detachment of Soldiers Paul is Welcomed at the Household of Lydia Paul: Appeals to be Heard by Caesar Paul: Born in the City of Tarsus Paul: Caught up to the Third Heaven Paul: Chooses Silas As his Companion Paul: Contends With Elymas (Bar-Jesus) the Sorcerer Paul: Contends With the Judaizers Against Their Circumcision "Theology" Paul: Conveys the Contributions of the Christians in Antioch to the Christians in Jerusalem Paul: Debates on Mars' Hill (At the Meeting of the Areopagus Council) With Greeks Paul: Declares he Was Going Bound in Spirit to Jerusalem Paul: Educated at Jerusalem in the School of Gamaliel Paul: Enters the Temple Courtyard Paul: Escapes by Being Let Down from the Wall in a Basket; Goes to Jerusalem Paul: Escapes to Berea by Night Paul: from the Tribe of Benjamin, Paul: Goes Through Phrygia and Galatia Paul: Goes to Troas, where he Has a Vision of a Man Saying, "Come Over Into Macedonia Paul: Has "A Thorn in the Flesh" Paul: Has Barnabas As his Companion Paul: Heals the Ruler's Father and Others Paul: His Examination Before Herod Agrippa Ii Paul: His Independence of Character Paul: His Message Received Gladly by the Gentiles Paul: His Resolute Determination to Go to Jerusalem Despite Repeated Warnings Paul: His Trial Before Governor Felix Paul: His Trial Before Governor Festus Paul: His Vision and Conversion Paul: Jewish Leaders Conspire Against his Life Paul: John (Mark), a Companion of, Departs for Jerusalem Paul: Kind Treatment by the Inhabitants of the Island Paul: Lives in his own Rented House for Two Years, Preaching and Teaching Paul: Makes his Second Tour of the Congregations Paul: Meets some Brethren Who Accompany Him to Rome from Appii Forum Paul: Persecuted by Jews, Drawn Before the Deputy, Charged With Wicked Lewdness Paul: Persecuted by the Jews Who Come from Thessalonica Paul: Persecuted, Beaten, and Cast Into Prison With Silas Paul: Persecutes the Christians; Present At, and Gives Consent To, the Stoning of Stephen Paul: Preaches in Damascus for the First Time Paul: Predicts Misfortune to the Ship; his Counsel not Heeded, and the Voyage Resumes Paul: Proceeds to Macedonia After Strengthening the Congregations in That Region Paul: Reasons in the Synagogue Every Sabbath Paul: Received by the Disciples in Jerusalem Paul: Refers the Question of Circumcision to the Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem Paul: Remains in Custody for Two Years Paul: Returns to Antioch, Accompanied by Barnabas, Judas, and Silas, With Letters to the Gentiles Paul: Returns With the Apostle John to Antioch (Of Syria) Paul: Re-Visits Pisidia, Pamphylia, Perga, Attalia, and Antioch, in Syria, where he Lived Paul: Sends for the Elders of the Congregation of Ephesus Paul: Sends Timothy and Erastus Into Macedonia, But he Himself Remains in Asia for a Period of Time Paul: Sent to Damascus With Letters for the Arrest and Return to Jerusalem of Christians Paul: Sergius Paulus, Governor of the Country, is a Convert of Paul: Summons the Local Jewish Leadership Paul: Teaches at Antioch (In Syria) for One Year Paul: The People Attempt to Worship Him Paul: The Ship Encounters a Storm Paul: The Ship is Wrecked, and all on Board Take Refuge on the Island of Melita (Malta) Paul: The Spread of the Gospel Through his Preaching Interferes With the Makers of Idols Paul: This Plan is Thwarted by his Nephew Paul: Transferred to a Ship of Alexandria Paul: Visits Amphipolis, Apollonia, and Thessalonica; Preaches in the Synagogue Paul: Visits Antioch (In Pisidia), and Preaches in the Synagogue Paul: Visits Assos, Mitylene, Chios, Samos, Trogyllium Paul: Visits Coos, Rhodes, and Patara; Boards a Ship Bound for Tyre Paul: Visits Ephesus, where he Leaves Aquila and Priscilla Paul: Visits Iconium, and Preaches to the Jews and Non-Jews Paul: Visits Lystra; Circumcises Timothy Paul: Visits Much of the Island of Cyprus Paul: Visits Perga in Pamphylia Paul: Visits Samothracia and Neapolis Paul: Waits at Tyre for Seven Days Select Readings: Paul and Silas in Prison Select Readings: Paul in Front of Agrippa Select Readings: Paul in Front of Governor Felix Select Readings: Paul on Mars' Hill Related Terms |
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