#1582 Acts 15 Part 2 Stumbled Across

 

13 Now after they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name. 15 And with this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written,

16 ‘After these things I will return,

And I will rebuild the fallen booth of David,

And I will rebuild its ruins,

And I will restore it,

17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,

And all the Gentiles who are called by My name,’

18 Says the Lord, who makes these things known from long ago.

19 Therefore I judge that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles, 20 but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from sexual immorality and from what is strangled and from blood. 21 For from ancient generations, Moses has those who preach him in every city, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” Acts 15: 13-21 LSB

Acts 15: 13-21

V. 13 James answered saying - James is the half brother of Jesus and the head of the church in Jerusalem.

James answered, saying - The Hebrew is more accurately "Jacob" (Ya'akov). James is in charge of the council and so speaks up. It is notable that it was James, not Peter, who presided over the council, which is certainly different than most of our encounters with Peter where he almost always seems to be in charge. It is also interesting that Luke does not once mention that James was the half-brother of Jesus, which implies that all in the assembly were fully aware of this relationship.

Wiersbe has an interesting note that "James had strong leanings toward the Law (there are at least ten references to law in his epistle), so he was most acceptable to the legalistic party in the Jerusalem church." Along this same line it is interesting that James in his letter would later emphasize that saving faith always issues in good works, and in so doing he gave the proper Biblical balance for works, emphasizing that faith alone saves, but the faith that truly saves is not alone but is evidenced by good works (James 2:14-26+, cf Paul's words in Eph 2:8-9+ of salvation by grace through faith and Eph 2:10+ this salvation leads to good works). - PA

18Only after three years did I go up to Jerusalem to confer with Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days. 19But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20I assure you before God that what I am writing to you is no lie.… Galatians 1: 18-20

…9And recognizing the grace that I had been given, James, Cephas, and John—those reputed to be pillars—gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. 10They only asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do. 11When Cephas came to Antioch, however, I opposed him to his face, because he stood to be condemned.…

…12For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself, for fear of those in the circumcision group. 13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. 14When I saw that they were not walking in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “If you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?”… Galatians 2: 9-14

V. 14 Simeon has related - James is referring to the Apostle Peter. 

Simeon - Simeon is Peter's Jewish name, whereas Peter is his Aramaic form of his real name, Simon. Robertson adds that "This little touch would show his affinities with the Jewish Christians (not the Judaizers). This Aramaic form is used also in Luke 2:25, 34 of the old prophet in the temple. Possibly both forms (Symeon, Aramaic, and Simon, Greek) were current in Jerusalem."

Jack Arnold observes that James "did not refer to Peter as “revered,” “holy father” or “mighty vicer,” but plain Simeon. Apparently Peter had no more authority at the council than James. James made it very clear that the purpose of God in this present age is to take, or call out, from the masses of Gentiles a people for His own name. God, through the preaching of the good news of Christ, is sovereignly bringing Gentiles to salvation to be part of the people of God, the church, in this present time. What is the purpose of God in this age? To evangelize and save a people for Himself. The purpose of God is not to Christianize but to evangelize, not social welfare but spiritual welfare. Because God is taking a people from the Gentile masses, we see that it is not His purpose to make everybody a Christian, nor is it His purpose to save every person. We should not expect that in the present age everyone should be saved and we should not fold up spiritually if everyone does not believe in Christ. It has always been true that there has been an elect remnant and that remnant has only been a small percentage of the world’s population. Who are the elect remnant? All who receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Some, but not all, will be saved; yet we have the confidence that God is calling out, or taking out, His own as a people for His name. For sure, this verse denies the false teaching of universalism (all men will be saved). God is taking out some but not all. Who are the some? All who bow to Jesus Christ and accept Him as sovereign Lord and Savior. James merely agrees with Peter. Those Judaizers and legalists who said, “Without circumcision you cannot be saved,” were ignoring the fact that Gentiles were already being saved. God was already saving Gentiles without asking anyone permission to do so and He was doing it without any ritual, or the Mosaic Law.

V. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree - That God was going to bring in a people from all peoples was no new thing. James goes back to the OT to show that was is currently occurring, the salvation of the Gentiles by faith in Jesus Christ, apart from the works of the law, was taught by the prophets. 

7Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring glory to God. 8For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs, 9so that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise You among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to Your name.”…

…10Again, it says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.” 11And again: “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and extol Him, all you peoples.” 12And once more, Isaiah says: “The Root of Jesse will appear, One who will arise to rule over the Gentiles; in Him the Gentiles will put their hope.”… Romans 15: 7-12

“In that day I will raise up the fallen booth of David

And wall up its breaches;

I will also raise up its ruins

And rebuild it as in the ancient days,

12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom

And all the nations who are called by My name,”

Declares Yahweh who does this.

13 “Behold, days are coming,” declares Yahweh,

“When the plowman will overtake the reaper

And the treader of grapes him who sows seed;

When the mountains will drip sweet wine

And all the hills will melt.

14 Also I will restore the captivity of My people Israel,

And they will rebuild the desolated cities and live in them;

They will also plant vineyards and drink their wine

And make gardens and eat their fruit.

15 I will also plant them on their land,

And they will not again be uprooted from their land

Which I have given them,”

Says Yahweh your God. Amos 9: 11-15

V. 16 After these things I will return - Amos is writing before Christ first coming, and the language is literal, as in come back to where I once was. This can't be referring to Christ's first advent, but His returning advent. Amillennials will claim that the rebuilt house of David is the church, and so there is an issue here with James saying "return", though I have heard some Amillennials and Preterists say that Jesus did return in 70 A.D. I take this in the more literal sense that the after these things is after the time of Jacob's trouble, or what we call the Great Tribulation. As the commentator below points out, there are promises in verses 14 and 15 that have not yet been literally fulfilled, and we have no reason to allegorize this other than coming to the passage with a learned Eschatological bias. 

AFTER THESE THINGS - As discussed James changed the original words from "in that day" to "after these things," the question arises as to what time does this time phrase refer? In other words the question is "After what?" If we examine the context, there is nothing in the preceding passage that allows us to determine the "timing." If we observe the entire context from which James takes this quotation, it is clear that Amos 9:11-15 describes a time of future glory and blessing on the nation of Israel. It describes conditions that clearly have not yet been fulfilled. We know from comparison to other descriptions of the end times restoration of Israel that Amos 9:11-15 describes a time which will follow a period of great distress for the nation of Israel, a time that other Scriptures refer to as the Great Tribulation (Mt 24:21+), the Time of Jacob's Distress (Jer 30:7+) or the time of great distress (Daniel 12:1+). After this time of Israel's future testing the promises of Amos 9:11-15 will be consummated. So this could be the time to which James refers when he says "after these things." - PA

Please click here for More from Amos 9

V. 17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name - I think it's interesting that Israel was always supposed to be a light to the other nations. They had the covenants, the temple, the sacrifices, the law and the prophets, the ways God has chosen to communicate with fallen man. 

…20This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Peoples will yet come—the residents of many cities— 21and the residents of one city will go to another, saying: ‘Let us go at once to plead before the LORD and to seek the LORD of Hosts. I myself am going.’ 22And many peoples and strong nations will come to seek the LORD of Hosts in Jerusalem and to plead before the LORD.”…

23This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue will tightly grasp the robe of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’” Zechariah 8: 20-23

V. 18 Says the Lord Who makes these things known from long ago - Again James points out with this that it is nothing new. The OT expected this. 

Vs. 19-20 Abstain from things contaminated by idols, and from sexual immorality, from what is strangled and from blood - We know an idol is nothing, but this is answered in part for us in verse 21 where it states that Moses has those who preach him in every city. Jews were born under the law, and Christians should not use their liberty to place a stumbling block before a Jew. It is a matter of tempting someone away from their conscience, or having them turn off their ears to the gospel you are pronouncing because you have put such a high regard to your liberty. James also reminds them about sexual immorality because the culture does not set the bar. I remember when I was young telling a girl I couldn't have that sort of relationship with her, because my mom had taught us that such actions belong to marriage, that they were sacred. She laughed at me and said I was just being too pent up, that it was okay as long as two people mutually agree. People run with that, and then guess who pays the price? The innocent do in our culture, if you like sex, but not the fruit of it's design then you can go to the temple of Planned Parenthood and they will remove the consequence. Once I came to believe as that young woman did, it took me a long time to ever see it as sin again. I made many excuses and what I thought were good justifications, but God has spoken clearly. 

Jack Arnold on fornication - It seems that both Jews and Gentiles would know what sexual immorality is wrong. We must understand the background to figure out why this prohibition was given. Premarital and extramarital sex (fornication and adultery) were so common among the Gentiles in that day that their consciences had been dulled. They did not see these acts as disgraceful. They were practiced without shame and without remorse. Without a written law (as the Jews had) telling these Gentiles that fornication was wrong, they did not think it was wrong. The Gentiles practiced sexual immorality as part of their pagan religions and it was part of their lifestyle. It was important, therefore, that the new Gentile converts understand the moral law of God on this matter and abstain from all illicit sexual activity. The sin of sexual immorality causes one to destroy himself, for illegal sexual relationships destroy one’s moral fiber, mess up his emotional life and tear him up psychologically. Fornication breaks up the inner integrity of man. Christians are constantly exhorted, therefore, to flee sexual immorality. - PA

21 For even though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the likeness of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for [k]a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed [l]forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions; for their females exchanged the natural function for that which is [m]unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the males abandoned the natural function of the female and burned in their desire toward one another, males with males committing [n]indecent acts and receiving in [o]their own persons the due penalty of their error.

28 And just as they did not see fit [p]to acknowledge God, God gave them over to an unfit mind, to do those things which are not proper, 29 having been filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, 30 slanderers, [q]haters of God, violent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; 32 and although they know the righteous requirement of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them. Romans 1: 21-32

9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor [e]effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

Flee Sexual Immorality

12 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 Food is for the [f]stomach and the [g]stomach is for food, but God will do away with both [h]of them. Yet the body is not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body. 14 Now God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take away the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? May it never be! 16 Or do you not know that the one who joins himself to a prostitute is one body with her? For He says, “The two shall become one flesh.” 17 But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 18 Flee sexual immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the [i]sexually immoral man sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is a [j]sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from [k]God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you were bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.  1 Corinthians 6: 9-20

#1581 Acts 15 Part 1 Contending For The Faith

 

Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And when Paul and Barnabas had not a little dissension and debate with them, the brothers determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue. 3 Therefore, being sent on their way by the church, they were passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria, recounting in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and were bringing great joy to all the brothers. 4 When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. 5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the Law of Moses.”

6 Both the apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter. 7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; 9 and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.”

12 And all the multitude kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. Acts 15: 1-12 LSB

Acts 15: 1-12 

Sola fide is Latin for "faith alone," which you have likely heard in the saying, "By grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone." These teachers were attacking the "solas" especially the "sola" that all one needed to be saved by Christ was faith in Christ.

Notice that Acts 15 is strategically situated between the First and Second Missionary Journeys. This makes Acts 15 one of the most important chapters in the Bible (my wife accuses me of saying that about every chapter I am studying!). And what makes this chapter so critical is it documents the battle for the integrity of the Gospel and the vindication of Paul's teaching of justification by faith alone in Christ alone.

As Wikipedia says "Sola fide (Latin: by faith alone), also known as justification by faith alone, is a Christian theological doctrine commonly held to distinguish many Protestant churches from the Catholic Church, as well as the Eastern Orthodox Churches and Oriental Orthodox Churches." - PA

V. 1 Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved - This is not a lone incident. Judaizers came at other times in the churches' history, and basically tried to get new gentile believers to not only question their faith, but to consider it illegitimate unless they first became Jews. It has worked both ways though, and Paul will get into this in Romans 9-11, where he corrects those who would write off Israel. The Jews had a lot of form and tradition, some found in Scripture, but other was their own additions. Interestingly enough, the apostasy that crept into the church, with much allegorical, gnostic teaching, stemmed back to early church leaders, who began replacing Israel, and everything written to Israel in the OT with the church. The church eventually became Romish, and what appeared? Instead of a kingdom of priests, which was all believers, we now had a system with priests and popes. Priests were not allowed to marry, contrary to the clear teaching of Scripture, and we have all the sudden a pope, or high priest, which again is contrary to Scripture. Circumcision, in this apostate church, was replaced by the baptizing of infants, which has no clear path towards a Creedal confession as can be found in Scripture. It's not there, yet even in Reform circles we still find this practice of sprinkling infants, though most of their pastors would not teach it as salvific, but it is another place where they are stunted in their reform. They still need to come out of her, whether Babylon or Rome, return to Sola Scriptura. In 1 Corinthians 7 Paul makes it clear again that there is no call to be circumcised or uncircumcised in the flesh. 

10 This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your seed after you: every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you. 12 And every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations, one who is born in the house or one who is bought with money from any foreigner, who is not of your seed. 13 A servant who is born in your house or who is bought with your money shall surely be circumcised; thus shall My covenant be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14 But an uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.” Genesis 17: 10-14

…18But I ask, did they not hear? Indeed they did: “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” 19I ask instead, did Israel not understand? First, Moses says: “I will make you jealous by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation without understanding.” 20And Isaiah boldly says: “I was found by those who did not seek Me; I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me.”… Romans 10: 18-20

10May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.” 11I ask then, did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Certainly not! However, because of their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous. 12But if their trespass means riches for the world, and their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring!…

…13I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry 14in the hope that I may provoke my own people to jealousy and save some of them. 15For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?… Romans 11: 10-15

…3Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. 4This issue arose because some false brothers had come in under false pretenses to spy on our freedom in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us. 5We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.… Galatians 2: 3-5

…18Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man still uncircumcised when called? He should not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commandments is what counts. 20Each one should remain in the situation he was in when he was called.… 1 Corinthians 7: 18-20

Vs. 2-3 Brothers determined that Paul and Barnabas - I take this as a noble gesture, although it was not what they had been taught, and they had received the legitimate gospel from Paul and Barnabas, these men seemed to have shaken the faith of at least some. The 12 apostles were the foundational pillars of the church, with Christ being the corner stone. There have been councils since that do not hold this same weight, but in Biblical protestant circles this is what we mean by reform, getting back to the clear teachings of Christ and the Apostles. We assert that there is a God, as revealed by Holy Scripture, that the cannon is His word, that He is eternal and so His word need not change with every age. It is timeless as He is, and when God the Son enters the world, it is said that the "Word became flesh and dwelt among us." God, being eternal, knew what He meant when He said it, and we in every age have the responsibility to go to Scripture without our bias and look for the Author's intent. When men come in teaching strange or new doctrines it is the responsibility of the elders to defend the pure gospel. 

5to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. 6I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ.…

…8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! 9As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse! 10Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.… Galatians 1: 5-10

John Phillips makes an interesting observation regarding the effect of the dissension and debate writing that “The Antioch church was torn asunder, confused, and rendered almost wholly ineffective. That, of course, was Satan’s answer to Paul’s evangelism: paralyze the church with inward strife; direct all energy against other believers; put the church on the defensive, keep it squabbling. It is significant that we have no record at this time of further plans for missionary activity and no record of souls being saved at Antioch. Evangelism had come to a halt.” (Exploring Acts)

THOUGHT - Confrontation is not easy but is necessary if the foundation of the Gospel is undermined by false teaching. I was told of a man suspected of being a false teacher and so I simply went to the class he was teaching so that I could hear first hand what he was teaching. I did not ask any questions, but simply listened. He knew I was in the class but never addressed me during the class or after. Within about 2 weeks this false teacher hot-footed it to another Bible church in the area. While I did not follow him, I did call a doctrinally sound man at the church to warn him this man was coming to his church. That was my last contact. This is probably as "easy" of a confrontation that one could have. The point is we need to be willing to speak the truth in love, but we also need to be absolutely certain that what is being taught is heretical. It would be easy to let our personal feelings for another person cloud our thinking and discernment. We need to heed Mt 7:1-2 (my children's favorite passage to quote to me!) but not forget Mt 7:4-5 so we might "see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye." - PA

Vs. 4-5 Some of the sect of the Pharisees - I have talked about this before, whether heritage, title, degree, height, strength, speed, talents etc., everyone wants what they have to be deemed the most important. The Pharisees were sons of Abraham, and they liked having a sense of importance linked to this. It put them as a little more special than the gentiles. The problem is, that isn't what justifies you before God. God chose to make you, give you your talents, and it all belongs to Him. My mom is a Christian, but that doesn't make me one. Many Jews had been circumcised, came from the twelve tribes, but still busted hell wide open. Why? Because of their unbelief. The Jewish people held the law and the prophets, the things that testified of Messiah, but most of them didn't recognize Him when He came. His was the sacrifice that the covenant with Abraham rested upon, the reason that history didn't end at the fall. Now these Pharisees, in the context of this chapter, are believers, but they are adding something to the gospel that doesn't belong. It was, as we can see in Gen. 17 above, a sign of the covenant God made with Abraham. The Pharisees also added to the law though, and thought they were saved through the law, and this is an issue in the church even to this day where men make a new gospel that is Christ plus something else, some work. Circumcision was given to you at 8 days old, before you could understand or make a decision for yourself, a promise of the parent that they would raise you separate from the systems of the world, that you would be brought up in the fear of God. The law was to teach you that you are a trespasser, a law breaker, that you were dirty and needed to be made clean. Baptism comes after the acknowledgment of your sin, the desire to be washed, made clean. It is the sign of those who believe in Christ for their salvation. rather than any works of the flesh. 

…27The one who is physically uncircumcised yet keeps the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker. 28 A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical. 29No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God.… Romans 2: 27-29

V. 6 Both the apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter - Like we were talking about, the teaching of the Apostles was foundational to the church. They are the ones who walked with Christ, learned from Christ. This reminds you of the noble Bereans, who searched the Scriptures. We may have disagreements with our Christian brothers and sisters but it is important to have mature dialogue about these matters. It is wrong to blow up at people, but it is equally wrong to leave them or yourself in the dark regarding Scriptural truth. This was an attack on the gospel, so it is of utmost importance that it be sorted out. Why? Because it is about the Word of the eternal God, about salvation, it has eternal weight and significance. There are other questions or debates concerning doctrine that, though they are not about the gospel, yet deserve our attention because the Bible is God's word. It is important that we get it right especially before we go and try to teach others. What profit is it to them or us if we screw it up? 

V. 7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up - It was that important; it couldn't just be set aside for the compromise of peace without truth. Peter is one of the twelve, and one of Christ's inner circle. The popes of the Roman Catholic cult see themselves as in a long succession of papal authority that starts with Peter, but this is not the case, that foundation has already been laid, and now we have Scripture as our highest court of appeal. Peter gives his credentials, that God made a choice that by his mouth the gentiles would hear the gospel. Was this, the circumcision that these Pharisees were pushing, part of that gospel message? Did it belong? Christ had given Peter authority in such matters, but Peter's position in Christ does not make what Peter says true, no, he has to say what God is saying. He has to rely upon the mind of Christ. 

…18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20Then He admonished the disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Christ.… Matthew 16: 18-20

…5Now send men to Joppa to call for a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among his attendants.… Acts 10: 5-7

…11And the LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Or who makes the mute or the deaf, the sighted or the blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12Now go! I will help you as you speak, and I will teach you what to say.” 13But Moses replied, “Please, Lord, send someone else.”… Exodus 4: 11-13

Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you - Peter first reminds the assembly of past Gentile conversions. The phrase in early days is an idiom which literally reads "from ancient days." The choice among you that God made was that Peter would proclaim the Gospel to the Gentiles. Some suggest the time phrase means at the beginning of time, but others feel it refers to the fact that it has been about 10+ years since Peter first spoke the Gospel to Cornelius (about 38 AD and it is now about 49 AD). And so it is fitting that Peter speaks because he had already received full approval from the congregation in Jerusalem against the Judaizing legalists in Acts 11:18+ Luke recording "When they heard this (that God gave the Gentiles the same gift as He gave the Jews - Acts 11:17+), they quieted down and glorified God, saying, “Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.” - PA

V. 8 And God, Who knows the heart - There is something to consider in the sign of circumcision, it is an outward sign of the flesh, yet concealed. It is hidden away, as the Jews also had laws about modesty. It hints in this toward an inward sign, the circumcision of the heart, where God is looking. God is looking for the life of the Spirit, the blood of His Son on the inner door of the heart. Circumcision could not save, only Christ can save, so God draws us, the Holy Spirit quickens us, gifting us with the faith to believe in Christ alone for our salvation. There is no work here. We have the sacraments, but they do not save. As He says, "do this in remembrance of  Me". Works are therefore not the means to salvation but the fruit that grows from that saved tree. 

…23So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24And they prayed, “Lord, You know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen 25to take up this ministry and apostleship, which Judas abandoned to go to his rightful place.”… Acts 1: 23-25

…6When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said, “Surely here before the LORD is His anointed.” 7But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.” 8Then Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel, who said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.”… 1 Samuel 16: 6-8

…5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved! 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.…

…8For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.… Ephesians 2: 5-10

V. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith - You can see above that faith is also a gift, so there is no room for boasting in the flesh, in traditions, only that I was helpless but had a great Savior. It wasn't a merit system based upon my works. It was based upon the perfect, sinless life of Christ, that He lived in my place, perfectly fulfilling the law. It is based not upon my suffering to pay for my sin, for that is only less than I deserved, but Christ's taking my place upon the cross, dying for my sin. He is the fulfillment of the skins that covered our parents, Adam and Eve, after the fall, the ram that took Isaac's place, the Passover Lamb, spotless and pure before the Father. There is no separate way, no different gospel, no different Messiah, only Jesus, and everyone who was ever saved was saved by faith. 

…27For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.… Galatians 3: 27-29

V. 10 Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear - Remember, the law showed the infraction, the impossible void between us and a Holy God. He said the wages of sin is death, and the law revealed that we were sinners. No one was able to keep the law, but the Pharisees pretended that they did, pretended to the point that they accepted the praise of men as proof, but God was looking at the heart. Why ask others to do what is impossible, to do what you couldn't do yourself. The law says, do this and you will live, but guess what, you didn't do it, and the bar is perfection, so you are dead in your trespasses and sins. You need a mediator, you need the God Man, Jesus Christ. 

1What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything. 2 He is subject to guardians and trustees until the date set by his father. 3So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world.…

…4But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons. 6And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”…

7So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir through God. 8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?… Galatians 4: 1-9

…8By this arrangement the Holy Spirit was showing that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. 9It is an illustration for the present time, because the gifts and sacrifices being offered were unable to cleanse the conscience of the worshiper. 10They consist only in food and drink and special washings—external regulations imposed until the time of reform.… Hebrews 9: 8-10

Messianic Jewish writer Steven Ger adds that "Yoke" was a common rabbinic designation for the Torah, cited in the Mishnah concerning proselytes taking up "the yoke of the commandments." (Mishnah, Berakhot 2:2) While rabbinic literature, both ancient and contemporary, is filled with eloquent testimony to the joys and delights of keeping God's gracious gift of Torah, the average Jew has not often found this to be the case, particularly when filtered through the interpretive grid of the rabbinic oral tradition. Peter was merely stating a candid fact, one that could be bluntly reaffirmed by countless Jews throughout Jewish history."

Thus Peter's metaphor is crystal clear that the "yoke" stood for anything added to faith, in this specific case referring to the addition of circumcision and keeping of the Mosaic Law. The picture is of yoke that was so "heavy" (figuratively speaking) that the fathers in the Old Covenant did not have strength to bear. Paul's words in Galatians are a good "commentary" writing "It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." (Gal. 5:1) Jesus castigated the Pharisees with a similar declaration that "They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders (COMPARE TO A "YOKE"), but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger.(Mt 23:4) - Precept Austin

V. 11 But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way they also are - Whether Jew or Greek, salvation is of the Lord, by the grace of God, through faith in Jesus Christ. They were the same, there was no other gospel. 

Spurgeon - What the sun is to the heavens, that the doctrine of a vicarious satisfaction is to theology. Atonement is the brain and spinal cord of Christianity. Take away the cleansing blood, and what is left to the guilty? Deny the substitutionary work of Jesus, and you have denied all that is precious in the New Testament.

That we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus - Through is placed at the beginning of the sentence for emphasis. The preposition "through" is dia which means across, successfully across, and in a sense is a picture of a "door" (the grace of the Lord Jesus, a phrase that is synonymous with THE GOSPEL), through which one walks by faith across to the other side from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God's beloved Son. - PA

…23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 25God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand.… Romans 3: 23-25

V. 12 And all the multitude kept silent - This is the peace that we are seeking in the end, peace under roof of truth, not peace at the sacrifice of truth. It is so interesting to see that they were contending for the purity of the gospel even back then. The attack came so quickly, and it persists to this day. The hardest people to reach are the religious. 

#1580 Acts 14 Demoted To Zeus and Hermes

 

Now it happened that in Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together and spoke in such a manner that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks. 2 But the unbelieving Jews instigated and embittered the minds of the Gentiles against the brothers. 3 Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done through their hands. 4 But the multitude of the city was divided; and some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. 5 And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers to mistreat and to stone them, 6 they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region; 7 and there they continued to proclaim the gospel.

In Lystra and Derbe

8 And at Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet, lame from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. 9 This man listened to Paul as he spoke, who, when he fixed his gaze on him and saw that he had faith to be saved from being lame, 10 said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he leaped up and began to walk. 11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have become like men and have come down to us.” 12 And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and was wanting to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out 15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, proclaiming the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; 17 and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.” 18 And saying these things, with difficulty they restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.

19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and after winning over the crowds and stoning Paul, they were dragging him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 20 But while the disciples stood around him, he rose up and entered the city. The next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 And after they had proclaimed the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many afflictions we must enter the kingdom of God.” 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

The Return to Antioch

24 And when they passed through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia. 25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 And from there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. 27 And when they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they spent not a little time with the disciples. Acts 14: 1-28 LSB

Acts 14

V. 1 Now it happened that in Iconium - A city about 80 miles from the city they just got kicked out of, Antioch. There, as typical of Paul, though the Apostle to the Gentiles, he starts at the Jewish synagogue. They would be the ones with the OT teachings, the ones expecting a Messiah, and Paul is one gifted, who can show them, proclaim to them, that this Jesus, Who was crucified, is He, the Messiah, Who has also risen from the dead. 

Iconium was at the meeting place of several Roman roads and on the highway from east to west." Iconium was an agricultural center famous for its wheat fields and orchards of apricots and plums. Iconium's ideal location and climate helped establish its place as a major link in the trade routes between Syria, Ephesus, and Rome. And so it was an ideal center for missionary activity and church planting, as several great roads intersected one another here.

Although Iconium was a capital for the Lycaonian district (cf. Acts 14:6, 11), inscriptions indicate that the Phrygian language was also in use there. John Stott tells us, “It was still a Greek city when Paul and Barnabas visited it” (Message of Acts, 228). In Scripture we see Paul’s pattern was to proclaim the gospel to large, influential cities in a region and then working outward from there.

V. 2 But the unbelieving Jews - This is a pattern everywhere for them on their early missionary journeys. Here, some of the Jews and Gentiles believed, and those Jews that didn't sought to have them kicked out. 

V. 3 Granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands - Just as during Jesus ministry, the signs and wonders were no guarantee of belief unto salvation. Some believed the message, and to those who didn't but also witnessed the signs, it seems that they only added to their approaching condemnation. I have long ago learned that facts and evidence are no silver bullet for those unwilling to acknowledge the wound. They stumble around in the dark until they die. 

20Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.… Matthew 11: 20-22

Vs. 4-7 But the multitude of the city was divided - Nicodemus realized logically that Jesus must have been a teacher that came from God, because "no one could perform the signs that You are doing unless God was with him". Here some side with the apostles maybe for that reason, some it says believed in that city, and that is the acting of the Holy Spirit upon the heart of those called by the Father. Now for those Jews, just like the Roman Catholics of our time, or anyone else who is trusting or resting in their will or ability to keep the law, that self righteousness is a seemingly impenetrable wall to overcome, but was Paul not Saul at one time? Those that are satisfied with themselves will only truly come after they have been made unsatisfied, the deaf hear, the blind now see. 

Vs. 8-10 Saw that he had faith to be saved - This man had been this way since birth, and so this is the way that everyone there would know him, lame. Jesus had performed such miracles and here we see the Apostles of the early church continuing in His work. They speak of a Man, Jesus, Who came and performed such signs, and now they are performing the same. It is difficult to refute such a miracle, especially if you knew this man, yet the Pharisees often assigned the source of this power to other than God. 

When he had fixed his gaze on him - Paul filled with the Holy Spirit had fixed his gaze on Bar-Jesus (Elymas) the Jewish false prophet in Acts 13:9 and carried out his first miracle of temporarily blinding this man. While Luke does not have the same phrase, there is little doubt that again Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit as he fixed his gaze on the lame man. But this time the "spiritual stare" was for good not for evil!

Constable - As is true of other similar references to a healed person's faith, this man's confidence was in God. He believed God could heal him, not that God would do so. Confidence that God would heal him, in other words, is not what made him whole. It was confidence that God through His servant could heal him that constituted his faith (e.g., Matt. 9:28-29; Mark 9:22-24). His faith was a factor in his receiving healing (cf. Mark 6:5-6). (Constable's Notes on the Bible)

Jack Andrews says that "This man believed what Paul preached and he believed that Jesus Christ could heal! He’s like the woman with the issue of blood (Mt 9:20-21, 22). The man who brought his demon possessed man to Jesus to be healed (cf Mt 17:18-20). The Roman Centurion that asked Jesus just to speak the word and his servant would be healed (Mt 8:5-9, 10). The Syro-Phoenician woman who asked Jesus to heal her daughter and said to Jesus even the little dogs eat the crumbs from their master’s table (Mt 15:22-27, 28, Mk 7:25-30). Jesus said he had never seen such great faith in all Israel. He’s like one of the ten lepers (Lk 17:12-18, 19), the Samaritan, who was healed by Jesus that returned to Jesus and gave Him praise (Lk 17:16)." (Expository Sermons)

Faith (4102)(pistis) is synonymous with trust or belief and is the conviction of the truth of anything, but in Scripture usually speaks of belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervor born of faith and joined with it. - Precept Austin

Vs. 11-13 The gods have become like men and have come down to us...calling Barnabas, Zeus and Paul, Hermes - The Jews attributed Jesus' works to the devil, and this was not meant as a compliment, but the gentiles here, though I think they meant well, still manage to attribute this work and power to the wrong god, instead of the only true God. 

…26If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.… Matthew 12: 26-28

The gods have become like men and have come down to us - The pagan response to the miracle is not to respond to the Gospel but in fact cause them to revert to their idolatrous beliefs which were firmly entrenched. Idols do not come off the throne of one's heart easily, especially if they have been bowed down to and served for many years! The pagans believed in mythological tales which are a counterfeit and say that the gods became men. Satan always counterfeits that which is true and gives glory to God, because he desires the glory due only to God. And so these pagans in Lystra believed Satan's lie of "counterfeit incarnation" and failed to believe the truth that Jesus Christ "although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men (COMPARE the "counterfeit" statues of the Greek "gods" who were made in "the likeness of men!"). Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.(Php 2:6-8)

Stedman - What a chance for these apostles to take over the city on their own terms! What a subtle attack this flattery was. Sometimes popularity is the weapon Satan employs most successfully of all to ruin the presentation of the gospel. (Acts 14:1-28 Counterattack) - PA

V. 14 They tore their garments - For most people, especially these days, who are taught over and over again about the "importance" of self esteem, being a diva, being heard, being popular, liked and having a following to justify their self infatuation, this may have brought on a smile. But Paul and Barnabas are not delusional like that. They don't want the credit, they don't need you to like them, they don't want to steal from God that which belongs to Him alone. That would include things like your life, your talents that He has entrusted you with, your looks, and in these rare and radical moments, things like miracles which as much as you click your heals together and hope for, you just can't manufacture. I have watched more than a handful of preachers disgrace the pulpit for the love of the crowd, the applause of men. Paul and Barnabas are running a different sort of race; let my honor be that Christ was glorified. It's not about me.

…9Show hospitality to one another without complaining. 10As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another. 11If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.… 1 Peter 4: 9-11

…6“I, the LORD, have called you for a righteous purpose, and I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and appoint you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the nations, 7to open the eyes of the blind, to bring prisoners out of the dungeon and those sitting in darkness out from the prison house. 8I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another or My praise to idols.… Isaiah 42: 6-8

V. 15 We are also men of the same nature as you - Paul brings it back to reality, back to their shared need of a Savior. John the Baptist also was quick to point away from himself and toward Christ. 

…26“I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands One you do not know. 27He is the One who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” 28All this happened at Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.… John 1: 26-28

John MacArthur on calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes - “The identifications are intriguing. That they identified Barnabas with Zeus suggests he presented a more distinguished and imposing appearance than Paul. Paul’s identification with Hermes, the messenger of the gods, is perfectly logical, since he was the chief speaker.” (Acts 13-28 MacArthur New Testament Commentary - Page 50) - PA

…9Then the angel told me to write, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” 10So I fell at his feet to worship him. But he told me, “Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who rely on the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” 11Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war.… Revelation 19: 9-11

…17If anyone desires to do His will, he will know whether My teaching is from God or whether I speak on My own. 18He who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory, but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is a man of truth; in Him there is no falsehood. 19Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps it. Why are you trying to kill Me?”… John 7: 17-19

V. 15b That you should turn from these vain things to a living God - His gospel call includes repentance, not acceptance of their present state or beliefs. He puts the God that he serves in the highest place that the heathen mind knows of, the seat over creation, He is the Creator. Paul decries the idols they worship as useless things. 

…6They pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on scales; they hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god, so they can bow down and worship. 7They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles. 8Remember this and be brave; take it to heart, you transgressors!… Isaiah 46: 6-8

…21For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.… Romans 1: 21-23

6Then I saw another angel flying overhead, with the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation and tribe and tongue and people. 7And he said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come. Worship the One who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and the springs of waters.” 8Then a second angel followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, who has made all the nations drink the wine of the passion of her immorality.”… Revelation 14: 6-8

Vs. 16-18 And saying these things, with difficulty they restrained the crowd from offering sacrifice to them - They were intent on worshiping these men, but it is the duty of these men to lift up Christ and refuse this. It is the gospel that Paul and Barnabas preach that they need, not Paul and Barnabas. The gospel has not changed as it is from a God Who does not change. We are not to judge it's value or power based upon the reaction of the crowd, it is the power of God to salvation for all who believe. If you really trust God in your ministry then you proclaim the gospel, unaltered, and you do so knowing that it will accomplish all that God intends. When the crowd or the few move towards God, it is not because of you, your excellence of speech, but because of the Spirit Who gives life. 

…31Now judgment is upon this world; now the prince of this world will be cast out. 32And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw everyone to Myself.” 33He said this to indicate the kind of death He was going to die.… John 12: 31-33

…5Then the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the sons of men were building. 6And the LORD said, “If they have begun to do this as one people speaking the same language, then nothing they devise will be beyond them. 7Come, let Us go down and confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.”… Genesis 11: 5-7

…6Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I said, ‘You must be born again.’ 8The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”… John 3: 6-8

…10For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, 11so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it. 12You will indeed go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.… Isaiah 55: 10-12

V. 19 After winning over the crowds and stoning Paul - Wow, he fell from god to getting stoned really fast. Movements can be intense but not last. It is important to look at the root, know what they are believing, and then reiterate the truth, correcting error. This may lead to a horrible physical outcome, but you will be right with God. There have been many Jesus movements throughout history that used His name, but misrepresented the gospel, and even attributed works and words of men to the Holy Spirit, things that He should never be associated with, like prideful rants, fake healings, and being out of control. People were moved emotionally by the spectacle of healing, but they were easily led in another direction, against Paul, when the Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived. People are so fickle. 

V. 20 He rose up and entered the city - They left him for dead, but God was not finished with him. 

With Barnabas to Derbe - Derbe is Lycaonian for "juniper tree". It is about 47 miles south and east from Lystra. This distance re-enforces the fact that Paul was miraculously healed for no man stoned almost to death could undertake a 47 mile trek which would take 2-3 days on foot! Derbe was near the Cilician Gates. which would not be that far removed from Paul's birthplace.  - PA

Vs. 21-23 They returned to Lystra, Iconium and to Antioch - This seems like a really dumb idea when you have enemies there, but they also have new brothers and sisters in Christ in these places, and they need shepherding and encouragement. They also seem to assess the people they left and it says they appoint elders. The early church has taken root in these places despite the resistance and persecution from some. 

Vs. 24-28 They began to report all the things that God had done with them - There accounts give credit to God and encourage believers in other places. 

…17Therefore I exult in Christ Jesus in my service to God. 18 I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed, 19by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.… Romans 15: 17-19