#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