Acts 14
At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders. 4 The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. 5 There was a plot afoot among both Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. 6 But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, 7 where they continued to preach the gospel.
In Lystra and Derbe
8 In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed 10 and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.
11 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. 16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” 18 Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.
19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. 20 But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.
The Return to Antioch in Syria
21 They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. 23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders[a] for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. 24 After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia, 25 and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.
26 From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. 27 On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.
Standing Firm in the Face of Opposition
There comes a moment in every Christian’s journey when they realize that following Jesus isn’t a one-time decision or a simple set of beliefs – it’s hard work, costly, and never-ending. It’s a way of life that demands everything.
I was fortunate to grow up in Christian family. From a young age, I knew Jesus was real, and the stories of the Bible were like familiar friends. In fact, I was five years old when I felt God’s call to follow Him, but at that age I had no idea what that actually meant. I thought that being a Christian simply meant professing faith in Jesus, trying my best not to sin, going to church, and avoiding hypocrisy. Simple, right?
I spent years thinking this was the extent of Christianity, and honestly, it didn’t feel all that exciting. I’d read about people in the Bible who were so on fire for God, who had deep, transformative relationships with Him – people like Samson, David, Daniel, Peter, Paul and Esther. I struggled to understand why my relationship with Jesus didn’t feel like those powerful stories. The Bible was supposed to be inspired by God, but I often didn’t feel inspired by it.
Then something happened – something only the Holy Spirit can do. Scripture started to come alive to me in a way I couldn’t ignore. I suddenly felt inspired and wanted the faith I had read about in those stories. I saw the hardship and sacrifice of the early Christians and felt their fire, their passion, their unwavering commitment to Christ. And in those moments, I realized something: it was all real. I wasn’t just reading a book; I was connecting with God’s living Word, and I knew it was meant to change me.
Now, as I read through Acts 14, I find myself reflecting on these same feelings. Paul and Barnabas are in the middle of their missionary journey, and the challenges they face are intense. They face rejection, violence, and persecution, yet they continue to boldly proclaim the gospel. Their passion and resilience are inspiring, and it makes me wonder: Could I be like that for Christ? Could I endure hardship and still be unshaken in my faith?
I’ll be honest: I haven’t faced the level of persecution that Paul and Barnabas did, but I have been challenged. When you speak the truth it’s often misunderstood, even in church. Sometimes it feels like no one really wants to follow Jesus – they just want the comfort of church as a second home. It’s easy to become disheartened and think, “Why bother?” People do what they want to do, and they let the world shape their desires. It feels like a constant battle to keep pushing forward, to keep striving for something deeper and truer.
But here’s what I have come to realize through Acts 14: Paul and Barnabas didn’t just endure persecution – they thrived in it. They didn’t just keep going for the sake of it; they understood that the gospel was worth everything. In fact, they saw that suffering for Christ was part of the journey. The hardships weren’t a detour or a mistake; they were a mark of faithfulness.
So what does that mean for us today?
Resilience in the face of challenge: Just like Paul and Barnabas, we will face difficulty, opposition, and disappointment. But we can’t give up. We keep going, knowing that God is with us, that the gospel is worth everything, and that there’s purpose even in the struggle.
Understanding the cost of following Jesus: Sometimes we think that following Jesus should be easy or comfortable, but the reality is that it’s costly. It requires sacrifice, commitment, and the willingness to face opposition. Yet, like Paul and Barnabas, we can find joy in the journey because we know that we are partnering with God in the greatest mission on earth.
Living out the gospel every day: Our call to be a witness for Christ isn’t just about the big moments; it’s about how we live day by day. In every conversation, every interaction, every challenge, we have an opportunity to reflect Christ. It might not always be easy, but it’s always worth it.
As you read through Acts 14, reflect on the courage and commitment of Paul and Barnabas. How can we, in our own context, live out the same resilience in our faith?
In what areas of your life do you feel the most challenged to live out your faith?
How can you grow in boldness to share the gospel, even in difficult circumstances?
What sacrifices might you need to make to follow Jesus more faithfully?
Prayer
God, thank you for the example of Paul and Barnabas. They didn’t give up, even when things got hard. I pray you give us the same strength, courage and purpose in the struggles we face, that we can keep going when life is tough. Help us to rely on Your power, not our own. And help us to encourage those around us to stand firm in their faith, who keep pressing forward, and who live in the truth that the gospel is worth it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Author Bio
Born in England and raised in Czechia, Charlotte Lennox was ordained as a Salvation Army officer in 2016. After six years of ministry in London, Dublin, and Manchester, her family moved to Canada in 2023. She now serves as Youth Pastor at St. Catharines Chinese Alliance Church and Operations Coordinator at Westburne Alliance Church.
https://stcac.org
https://www.westburnechurch.com
Luke and Acts taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®
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