Acts · Lesson 22
Paul’s First Missionary Journey (3)
Setting
The preaching of Paul and Barnabas drew large multitudes in Antioch. But when the Jews saw that the apostles freely reached out to the Gentiles, they became jealous and expelled them from their region. Then the apostles left Antioch and came to Lycaonia and preached in its cities as well as its surrounding regions. As in Antioch, the gospel message led many to the Lord but also resulted in much persecution. After preaching in various cities, enduring the oppositions, and strengthening the faith of the new converts, Paul and Barnabas completed the work they had been sent out to do and returned to the church in Antioch.
Did you know?
1. Iconium (): “the modern Konieh, was the capital of Lycaonia, in Asia Minor. It was a large and rich city, 120 miles north from the Mediterranean Sea, at the foot of the Taurus mountains, and on the great line of communication between Ephesus and the western coast of the peninsula on one side, and Tarsus, Antioch and the Euphrates on the other.” 1
2. Lystra () was “a town of Lycaonia, in Asia Minor, in a wild district and among a rude population.” 2
3. Derbe (): “a small town on the eastern part of the upland plain of Lycaonia, about 20 miles from Lystra.” 3
4. Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes (): Zeus was the god of gods in Greek mythology (also called Jupiter) and Hermes (or mercury) was the god of eloquence and the messenger of the gods. Perhaps it was Barnabas’ stately stature that earned him the name of Zeus, whereas Paul, the more active and outspoken of the two, was called Hermes.
Outline
- Ministry at Iconium
- Ministry at Lystra
- Preaching in Lystra
- Healing a lame man
- The people’s attempt to worship Paul and Barnabas
- The multitudes stoned Paul
- Ministry at Derbe
- Strengthening the Disciples in Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch
- Preaching in Perga
- Returning to Antioch
Questions
· Ministry at Iconium
What were the responses to the gospel in Iconium?
The Lord granted signs and wonders to be done by the apostles’ hands (3). What is the importance of signs and wonders in our preaching?
What forced Paul and Barnabas to leave Iconium?
What miracle did Paul perform in Lystra?
What was the precondition that led to this man’s healing?
Compare the two completely opposite reactions from the multitudes (11-13 and 19).
What were the devil’s tactics behind these?
How does the devil also often use these two tactics against us?
How did the apostles react when the multitudes wanted to make them gods?
What was the main point of Paul’s message in 15-17?
Contrast the multitudes with the man who was healed with respect to their response to the gospel.
What did Paul and Barnabas do when they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch?
What can ministers and the church today learn from this?
What are the responsibilities of elders in the church?
What important truth did Paul and Barnabas exhort the believers with?
How can this truth help you in your faith?
both speak of “commending to.” a. What does it mean to commend believers to the Lord? b. What does it mean for the church to commend the workers of God to God’s grace? c. What lessons can we glean from these examples?
According to , what was God’s purpose in sending Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journey?
Sources
- Smith, William. Dr. Smith’s Bible Dictionary, 1901 ed., Bible Study Tools, www.biblestudytools.com. Accessed 1 Nov. 2003.
- Easton, Matthew G. Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Thomas Nelson, 1897. Bible Study Tools, www.biblestudytools.com.
- Easton, Matthew G. Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Thomas Nelson, 1897. Bible Study Tools, www.biblestudytools.com.