Paul & Barnabas traveled 80 miles southeast from Antioch in Pisidia to Iconium, an ancient town of Phrygian where we meet them again in the Chap. 14. Note: For those interest in going back to Chap. 1, click on the dates 03/21-03/28 in the “blog archive” in the upper right corner.
Take a moment to compare an actor sitting on an empty stage reading a script v. actors in full costume, on a stage with a period setting, to help puts the words into perspective, bringing greater insight to the words. The maps and other background information used in this study are intended to do the same for God’s words in the Book of Acts, and hopefully, provide better oversight that gives us deeper insight and understanding. Having said that….it takes us to the next slide.
We open Chap. 14 in the City of Iconium, located in the Roman province of Galatia in Asia Minor. Paul’s letter to the Galatians was written to them and those in the surrounding areas. That entire region is now modern-day Turkey, which is 99.8% Muslim; and 0.2% Christians and Jews.
Once again Paul and Barnabas met opposition from the Jews. And yet again, the Holy Spirit reinforced Paul’s message with miracles. Still many devout Jews refused his message with jealous rage—i.e., the popularity of his message v. their long-standing religious laws and traditions. Picture shows ruins of the Jewish synagogue in that region.
A pictorial overview of Paul and Barnabas’ travels to and from Iconium.
Stoning was the Jewish penalty for blasphemy, so once again Paul and Barnabas fled from that city. Gentiles worshiped pagan gods and Paul’s message also opposed their beliefs leaving many of them equally angry—something they had in common with the Jews. The “good news” in v.7 is the gospel message of saving grace, that Jesus died to atone for our sins.
V.8 Lystra was a city fortified by Augustus as a Roman colony—it was settled with Roman army veterans. It was built on a hill rising 100-150 feet above the surrounding plain where Iconium was located. In v.8-9 Paul cured a man lame from birth. Because of the miracle, the people thought Paul and Barnabas were gods in human form, a common belief at that time that the gods took on human form.
The three cities in v.1-11 are noted by the red star. Iconium, situated in a large fertile plan, was in province of Galatia. Lystra and Derbe were in the province of Lycaonia. As you can see on the map, the three cities are relatively close to each other. The distance between Iconium and Lystra is said to be about 20 miles.
Map shows the Roman provinces in that region, in what is now called Asia Minor—including the Roman province of Asia. Notice the city of Ephesus (all of which are in modern-day Turkey). This is the region that most of Paul’s letters to the churches were written to—with the exception of his letter to the Romans and personal letters to individuals such as Timothy and Titus. Yet, today that region is almost totally Muslim. Perhaps it’s a message for today’s church?
Slide shows some of the rugged terrain of Cappadocia. The photos help us appreciate Paul and Barnabas’ missionary journey through that rugged region.
Because of Paul’s miracle, the temple priest brought sacrifices (v.13) to worship Paul and Barnabas. An ancient legend stated that Zeus and Hermes came in human form seeking hospitality—those who rejected them, their homes were destroyed (earthquake?).
Can you imagine what animal rights people would say about these practices? Even in regard the O.T. Israelite temple sacrifices? “Why God?” they would ask. The price for sin is a blood sacrifice, from an animal without blemish—pointing to Jesus’ blood sacrifice on cross without blemish!
The Greek gods they were being associated with, Barnabas with Zeus and Paul with Hermes (the messenger, Roman name of Mercury), because he was the principal speaker.
V.14 gives us Barnabas & Paul’s reaction. In v.15 they profess the living God. Yet, as we will see in v.18, the people insisted on worshiping them as living gods. Greek urn picture is from that period showing temple sacrifice (enlarged on next slide).
In v.17 Paul explains God’s general (natural) blessings on them. Nevertheless, in v.18, the people insisted on worshiping them. It’s not only hard for people to give up their established religious practices but it’s often strongly resisted even with violence as we often saw with the Jews, and with some Gentiles, as we’ll see in v.19.
What the temple looked like then, and its ruins now. No one worships Zeus or Hermes today, not even in the pagan world.
Jewish hatred was once again voiced against Paul and Barnabas, by Jews that traveled from Antioch and Iconium, stirring up sufficient hatred against them, sufficient for Paul to be stoned and left for dead. A day later he and Barnabas left for the City of Derbe. We can be certain that Paul was in pain from the stoning.
After preaching the “good news” Paul and Barnabas retraced their steps to encourage those that had accepted Christ, who most likely were also being persecuted. They appointed elders as church leaders. This painting shows the Holy Spirit accompanying them, and as they ordained elders.
Map shows their return trip to what had become dangerous cities for them. It also points out Paul’s home city of Tarsus (Red arrow). Map shows the rugged terrain in that region.
Paul and Barnabas’ journey was an arduous trip with physical challenges and danger, yet the Holy Spirit sustained them. They bypassed the Isle of Cypress and went directly to the port city of Seleucia in Syria on their return voyage, and then by foot to Antioch Syria.
Remnant of the roads in that region, traveled by Paul and Barnabas—portions that still exist today.
Ending Chap. 14 we see Paul and Barnabas’ returns to their home base of Antioch Syria after a strenuous and dangerous journey covered by both sea and land.
Almost the entire region shown on the map traveled by Paul and Barnabas spreading the Gospel and planting churches, is almost entirely Muslim today, except for Israel. I’ll call it food for thought…and prayer. Islam was introduced, by the sword and conquest, after the Roman Empire fell; nevertheless, the Gospel message was then spread across Europe.
In spite of the physical hardships and constant threats against their lives, Paul and Barnabas spread the Gospel bringing many Gentiles and even Jews to accept Christ as Savior. They established churches and appointed elders to lead them as noted on map.
America needs God. Lord God, we deserve judgment, but plead for mercy in Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
