Iconium is evangelized
1 In Iconium Paul and Barna bas likewise went into the Jewish synagogue and preached in such a manner that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed.
2 But the Jews who would not believe stirred up the pagan people and poisoned their minds against the brothers.
3 In spite of this Paul and Bar na bas spent a considerable time there. They spoke fearlessly of the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace with the miraculous signs and wonders he gave them power to do.
4 There, too, to the entire town was stirred by the Teaching. They were divided, some siding with the Jews and some with the apostles.
5 A move was made by pagans and Jews, together with their leaders, to harm the apostles and to stone them.
6 But Paul and Barnabas learned of this and fled to the Lycaonian towns of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding countryside,
7 where they continued preaching the Good News.
Lystra and Derbe
Paul and Barnabas spent a fairly long time at Lystra.
8 There was a crippled man in Lystra who had never been able to stand or walk.
9 One day, as he was listening to the preaching, Paul looked intently at him and saw that he had the faith to be saved.
10 So he spoke to him in a loud voice, “In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I command you to stand up on your feet!” And the man stood up and began to walk around.
11 When the people saw what Paul had done, they cried out in the language of Lycaonia, “The gods have come to us in human likeness!”
12 They named Barnabas Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes, since he was the chief speaker.
13 Even the priest of the Temple of Zeus, which stood outside the town, brought oxen and garlands to the gate; to gether with the people, he wanted to offer sacrifice to them.
14 When Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their garments to show their indignation and rushed into the crowd, shouting,
15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We are human beings with the same weakness you have and we are now telling you to turn away from these useless things to the living God who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and all that is in them.
16 In past generations he allowed each nation to go its own way,
17 though he never stopped making himself known; for he is continually doing good, giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, providing you with food and filling your hearts with gladness.”
18 Even these words could hardly keep the crowd from offering sacrifice to them.
19 Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and turned the people against them. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the town, leaving him for dead.
20 But when his disciples gathered around him, he stood up and returned to the town. And the next day he left for Derbe with Barnabas.
Return to Antioch
21 After proclaiming the gospel in that town and making many disciples, they returned to Lystra and Iconium and on to Antioch.
22 They were strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain firm in the faith, for they said, “We must go through many trials to enter the Kingdom of God.”
23 In each church they appointed elders and, after praying and fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had placed their faith.
24 Then they traveled through Pisi dia, and came to Pamphylia.
25 They preached the Word in Perga and went down to Attalia.
26 From there they sailed back to Antioch, where they had first been commended to God’s grace for the task they had now completed.
27 On their arrival they gathered the Church together and told them all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the non-Jews.
28 They spent a fairly long time there with the disciples.
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Comments Acts, Chapter 14
• 14.1 What happened in Antioch in Pisidia happens here as well: Paul and Barnabas speak fear lessly. This is one of the characteristics of the genuine apos tle, moved by the Holy Spir it. This self-assurance has a powerful influence on the conversion of the audience, but it is not a natural human gift. Paul will indicate that God gives it to preachers who place their trust in God, especially when they feel the weakest and the least prepared (see 1 Thes 2:2 and 2 Cor 12:10).
• 7. Once beyond the town of Iconium, where many citizens spoke Greek, there was nothing to help the missionaries, including the problem of language. There was also the weight of the traditional religion. It would seem to us at times that it should be easier to teach the faith in a place where everyone had a religion, and therefore a certain faith in God. This is not so. Having religion meant submitting to the totalitarian authority of customs and social traditions linked to this religion. People were enclosed in a system of interested relation ships with their divinities where it was impossible even to imagine the reaction of a free per son in relation to God. The non-believers in our modern societies have in fact been freed of many prejudices and confusions.
Paul saw that he had the faith to be saved. This man must have been still far from faith that recognized Jesus, Christ and Son of God, but it was the same faith of many of those Jesus healed in the Gospel. God does not call only theologians, even if they are needed in the Church; the others, the “little ones” should feel that they also are the very substance of the Church.
The crowd is astonished by the miracle, but it is clear they have not understood. They want to return thanks, as they always did, since God once more showed his mercy: Paul did not come for that. All happens as at Iconium and Antioch: the pre sence of Jews in every city of the Empire, the close communications be tween their communities made them formidable enemies for those who had the central authorities of Jerusalem against them. The Jews were to persecute the Christian communities and indispose the Roman authorities against them up to the Jewish War of 66-70 that brought about the ruin of their nation.
The difficulties of Lystra in fact helped Paul to define his objectives: he will no longer risk going to the provinces where it is difficult for him to speak and to be understood, and where he himself does not feel at home. From now on, he will evangelize the cities situated at the great crossroads, as well as the ports, and will leave to others the care of spreading the Gospel in the inner regions.
• 21. Derbe marks the end of the mission. Paul and Barnabas go back the same way they had come. They visit all the communities established on the continent. Then they will sail for Antioch without returning to the island of Cyprus.
In those days the Church did not have parishes, clergy, institutions, or books. The apostle had to organize the Church in such a way that it might continue. There was a book, the Jewish bible, namely, the Old Testament. The prophets inspired by God would draw new teachings from this book, by discovering a sign of Christ in the past. From time to time apos tles or prophets coming from other churches would visit the community.
There will be gatherings around the celebration of the Lord’s Supper (see 1 Cor 11); besides the Eucharist, everyone will share with others their own spiritual gifts (see 1 Cor chapters 12–14). Just as the Jewish communities had leaders called “elders” or presbyters, Christians also lay their hands on leaders, “presbyters,” who will lead and preside over the Eucharist (see commentary on 13:1).
So we understand that a mission does not reach its goal if it does not succeed in forming adult communities, with their own leaders and with the active participation of their members.