The Apostles Paul and Barnabas: Preaching, Miracles, and Perseverance
By Professor A.P. Lopukhin
The events in Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 14, narrate the travels and ministry of Paul and Barnabas in Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. This passage chronicles their compelling preaching, a miraculous healing, the misguided worship offered to them by the Gentiles, and the resistance and trials they faced as they established Christian communities.
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Preaching in Iconium (Acts 14:1–7)
Paul and Barnabas began their mission in Iconium, entering a Jewish synagogue where their words converted a significant number of Jews and Gentile proselytes. However, opposition arose from the unbelieving Jews, who incited the Gentiles against the apostles by spreading slander. Despite the hostility, Paul and Barnabas remained steadfast, boldly preaching with the Lord’s support. Miracles and signs accompanied their ministry, affirming the truth of their message. Their work, however, divided the city—some sided with the apostles, while others aligned with their detractors. Eventually, threats of violence forced them to flee to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe.
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Healing a Lame Man in Lystra and Misplaced Worship (Acts 14:8–18)
In Lystra, Paul encountered a man disabled from birth who had never walked. Observing the man’s faith, Paul commanded him in the name of Jesus Christ to stand up, and the man miraculously leaped to his feet. Witnessing this, the crowd proclaimed, in their Lycaonian dialect, that the gods had descended in human form. They identified Barnabas as Zeus, likely due to his dignified presence, and Paul as Hermes, given his eloquence and dominant role in speaking.
The priest of Zeus brought bulls and garlands to make sacrifices to the apostles, which Paul and Barnabas vehemently opposed. Tearing their garments—a Jewish expression of deep grief—they rushed into the crowd to protest. Declaring themselves mere humans, they pointed to the living God as the Creator of all things and denounced the worship of pagan gods. They reminded the people that, though God had allowed nations to follow their own paths in the past, His works—like the provision of rain and fruitful seasons—testified to His existence and goodness. Despite their passionate appeal, they struggled to dissuade the crowd from offering sacrifices.
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Persecution and Stoning in Lystra (Acts 14:19–20)
The situation in Lystra took a dramatic turn when Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived, inciting the crowd against the apostles. Though the people had revered Paul and Barnabas as gods moments earlier, their attitudes shifted, and they stoned Paul, dragging him out of the city and leaving him for dead. However, Paul rose up with miraculous strength as the disciples gathered around him. Undeterred, he returned boldly to the city before departing with Barnabas to Derbe the following day.
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Return Journey and Strengthening Communities (Acts 14:21–28)
After successfully preaching in Derbe and gaining numerous disciples, Paul and Barnabas retraced their steps through Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch. They encouraged the fledgling Christian communities to remain steadfast in their faith despite persecution. Emphasizing that tribulations are a necessary path to entering the Kingdom of God, they sought to fortify the believers’ spiritual resolve.
During this return journey, the apostles ordained elders in each church to provide leadership and stability, consecrating them through prayer and fasting. Committing these communities to God’s care, they continued their travels, passing through Pisidia to Pamphylia, where they preached in Perga. From there, they traveled to the port city of Attalia, eventually sailing back to Syrian Antioch, the starting point of their missionary journey.
Upon their return, Paul and Barnabas gathered the Christian community in Antioch and shared their experiences. They testified to God’s power at work in their ministry, emphasizing how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. They remained in Antioch for an extended period, strengthening the local disciples.
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Reflections on the Apostolic Mission
This chapter highlights the unwavering dedication of Paul and Barnabas, who, despite hostility and even physical assault, continued to spread the Gospel. Their experiences reflect the profound challenges and grace-filled victories inherent in missionary work.
The miraculous healing of the lame man and the subsequent worship by the Gentiles underscore both the transformative power of God and the misunderstandings that can arise in the cultural context of paganism. Similarly, the apostles’ return to the very cities where they faced persecution exemplifies their remarkable courage and commitment to nurturing the faith of new believers.
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