Lesson by Pastor John Skaggs

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church

P. O. Box 1173

Claypool, Arizona 85532

520-425-8345

Date: 09-24-00

Sermon Number: 024

Text: Acts 14

Topics Addressed in this Lesson

(Suffering for the sake of the Gospel, Elders – their place and function)

(Acts 13:46-52 NASB) "And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; (to the Jews) since you repudiate it, and (therefore) judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. {47} "For thus the Lord has commanded us, 'I HAVE PLACED YOU AS A LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES, THAT YOU SHOULD BRING SALVATION TO THE END OF THE EARTH.'" {48} And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. {49} And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region. {50} But the Jews aroused the devout women of prominence and the leading men of the city, and instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. {51} But they shook off the dust of their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. {52} And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit."

That the new disciples of Christ were continually filled with joy is not a surprise at all. For when God the Holy Spirit reveals to a sinner his guilt and the judgment to come the greatest dread moves in upon him. He is filled with the terrors of hell and eternal torment. What a blessing it is when God the Holy Spirit who has filled us with dread also reveals the Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord. When one has trusted in Christ for forgiveness and salvation he can’t be anything but happy! So Paul and Barnabas left behind a legacy of eternal joy. As concerns those who would not believe and who drove them out of town, while threatening their lives, Paul and Barnabas shook of the dust of their feet in protest against them.

The Jews of Paul’s day were very careful not to bring Gentile dust back into Israel when they had been on a journey. For everything about the Gentiles was offensive to the Jews, they were simply unclean, Gentile, dogs. Any contact with these uncircumcised idolaters defiled the Jew. When Paul and Barnabas shook the dust of their feet in protest against the Jews they were saying that they considered the Jews at Antioch no better than pagan Gentiles. There could be no stronger condemnation or insult. In the persons of these apostles Jesus came unto His own and His own received Him not. However, in a round about way these hateful people were in service to the Lord Jesus. For once again persecution moved the Gospel on to new territory where ever more sinners would head the Gospel. The rage of man always serves the purposes of God in one way or the other.

(Acts 14 NASB) "And it came about that in Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together, and spoke in such a manner that a great multitude believed, both of Jews and of Greeks. {2} But the Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles, and embittered them against the brethren. {3} Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, (While putting forth great effort to refute the Jews and convince the lost of their need for Christ they relied on the Lord to keep them from danger and give them wisdom for teaching. They were blessed with support from heaven. For the Lord . .) . . . was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by 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 preach the gospel."

The faithful preaching of the Gospel always divides one man from the other. This truth is very offensive to those convinced that Christians ought to accept and fellowship with every religion on equal terms. Such unity cannot exist within the confines of true Christianity. For truth divides and all religions are not equally true. Jesus himself would not have joined with the ecumenical movement of our day. Why? Simply because He is the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but by Him! This truth always divides. Listen to His own words; Luke 12:49-53 NASB. "I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! {50} "But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! (Christ was about to be immersed in suffering for the sins of the elect, this was the baptism He must undergo.) {51} "Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; {52} for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two, and two against three. {53} "They will be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against mother; mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law." How will they be divided? Just exactly like the city of Iconium was divided, by acceptance and rejection of Christ as the only Savior of sinners. There were those who sided with truth and those who rejected truth. This is always the case when the gospel is presented. Some rejoice and others are opposed, some are with Christ, while others drive Him and His messengers away. In this case both Jews and Gentiles joined together to stone Paul and Barnabas, but they fled, and again, the rage of man against God’s truth moves the Good News into new territory. Truth divides one man from another while hatred for Christ unifies people who would normally be enemies.

It is no different today than it was then. If a person is willing to say that truth does not matter he will be at peace with both the religious and secular world. But the Christian cannot accept all beliefs. Paul and Barnabas would have been ok if they had been willing to say that Judaism was as good as Christianity and that all religions lead ultimately to God. But they could not. The Christian cannot put down the Book for it is the bread of life to the Sheep of God’s pasture. In it are the words of eternal life that can be found nowhere else. There is only one way to peace with God and that is by faith in the Jesus of the Bible plus nothing and no one else! Gospel truth matters more than outward peace in the church, family, or among the nations. The Gospel is our greatest treasure and must not be sacrificed to the god of unity. Resign yourself to this fact, whenever and wherever God sets His love upon His people they are from that time forward divided from the rest of humanity.

Driven out of Iconium Paul and Barnabas move on to "the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region." In these cities the gospel would find much success but Paul would be nearly killed for his preaching.

Acts 14:8. "And at Lystra there was sitting a certain man, without strength in his feet, lame from his mother's womb, who had NEVER walked. {9} This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, (Paul had obviously been preaching the gospel which, as the text now indicates this crippled man believed.) who, when he had fixed his gaze upon him, and had seen that he had faith to be made well, (He believed God could heal him. Paul . . ) {10} said with a loud voice, "Stand upright on your feet." And he leaped up and began to walk. {11} And when the multitudes saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language, (so that Paul and Barnabas did not understand) "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 wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds."

John McArthur believes he knows why the people were so eager to worship these men. "The explanation of their being taken for gods lies in the legendary history of Lycaonia. The people round Lystra told a story that once Zeus and Hermes had come to this earth in disguise. None in all the land would give them hospitality until at last two old peasants, Philemon and his wife Baucis, took them in. As a result the whole population was wiped out by the gods except Philemon and Baucis, who were made the guardians of a splendid temple and were turned into two great trees when they died. So when Paul healed the crippled man the people of Lystra were determined not to make the same mistake again. Barnabas must have been a man of noble presence so they took him for Zeus the king of the gods. Hermes was the messenger of the gods and, since Paul was the speaker, they called him Hermes." (End Quote)

It took the apostles a few minutes to figure out what was going on, but when they did their reaction was immediate. {14} "But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their robes 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, (we are not gods, we are just men like you) and preach the gospel to you in order that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, (The call to faith in Christ is a call away from the worship of all other so-called gods. The good news calls men to serve and worship the one true God. . .) WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM. {16} "And in the generations gone by He permitted all the nations (such as you Gentiles) to go their own ways; (He did not keep them from worshipping idols.) {17} and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, (During this time He made Himself known.) in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness." (See Romans 1:18 and following) {18} And even saying these things, they with difficulty restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them. {19} But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead." {20} But while the disciples stood around him, he arose and entered the city. And the next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe."

What a horrible experience stoning must be! Have you ever been hit with a rock? Paul was hit with many rocks, likely large rocks, thrown with murderous intent. He must have been knocked unconscious for they thought he was dead! Surely he was bloody and injured in ways not mentioned. I couldn’t help but wonder what he was thinking while this was going on? Many things perhaps but I wonder if he thought of Stephen, the great Deacon whose stoning he had participated in before he became a Christian? That he thought of this crime often as is clear from Acts 22:20 where Paul says, 'And when the blood of Thy witness Stephen was being shed, I also was standing by approving, and watching out for the cloaks of those who were slaying him.' The account of the actual event is found in Acts chapter seven where we read; Acts 7:58 "And when they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him, and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul." This "young man" was of course the Apostle Paul. Now it was his turn to suffer in the same way for Christ’s sake. However painful and frightening it might have been it could not have been a surprise. For when Saul was converted Jesus showed him how much he must suffer for His sake. (see Acts 9:16) In 2 Corinthians 11:25 Paul says, "Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep," In 2 Timothy 3:8-12 Paul speaks further of his hardships and of those that will come upon all who love the truth. "And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected as regards the faith. {9} But they will not make further progress; for their folly will be obvious to all, as also that of those two came to be. {10} But you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, {11} persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and OUT OF THEM ALL THE LORD DELIVERED ME! {12} And indeed, ALL WHO DESIRE TO LIVE GODLY IN CHRIST JESUS WILL BE PERSECUTED."

No Christian will escape. We will probably not be stoned to the point of death or near death but those who go to heaven must pass through many tribulations. As we go through them we can know we are not alone. Other Christians are with us for this is the common experience of all. But most importantly God is with us and He is faithful to see us through every earthly experience. (1 Corinthians 10:13 NASB) "No temptation (trial, tribulation, hardship, test) has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it." This was Paul’s experience and it will be ours as well throughout our journey.

Paul was stoned and left for dead but soon came to and went back into the city. The next day they left for Derbe. {21} And after they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, (Once again God blessed their work so that many who heard the Gospel trusted in Christ.) 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 (not around, but through) many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God."

It is not enough that people come to faith in Christ they must be taught "all things that Christ commanded." For living, thinking, and speaking right requires we be taught God’s truth in detail. Such teaching strengthens the souls of Christ’s disciples. As they went back to the churches they had established Paul and Barnabas encouraged the new Christians to continue trusting in Christ, as opposed to the works of their hands. They spoke the truth to them about the Christian life, telling them that it would be through hardship and pain that they would finally enter the kingdom of God.

Part of the reason Paul retraced his steps was to see to the proper organization of the new churches so they would be self sustaining and healthy. They must have their own leaders and teachers. {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. {24} And they passed through Pisidia and 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 which they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they HAD ACCOMPLISHED. {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 a long time (in Antioch) with the disciples." As would be the case with us had we sent missionaries to accomplish a specific work, the sending church was anxious for a report. In short their work had been accomplished. They preached the Gospel and God opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, many sinners had been saved.

Lets spend a few moments on the subject of Elders. These are the Pastors or Bishops of the church. It is significant that the word is Elders as opposed to Elder. They appointed Elders in each church. This was the custom all through the New Testament. There was always more than one Elder appointed, ordained, elected, or chosen in each church.

Not only did Paul appoint Elders or Pastor/Teachers in this instance but instructed others to do the same. 2 Timothy 2:2 "And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also." It was the Gospel, God’s truth as recorded in the Old and New Testaments that was to be entrusted to "faithful men" able to teach others, men gifted with teaching skills. The fact that Paul appointed Elders in each church right away tells us that they might not be old in age and they might not be too mature in the Christian faith. They would simply be the "stand out" men in each congregation. Men who showed leadership and teaching skills. They were men of God, prayer, and of truth. This was the way Pastor’s were chosen in Paul’s day, the most capable in the church became the leaders and teachers of the rest.

Look with me at Titus 1 NASB. "Paul, a bond-servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, {2} in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, {3} but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior; {4} to Titus, my true child in a common faith: (Titus had been converted under the ministry of Paul, therefore, he was Paul’s true child in the faith.) Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. {5} For this reason I left you (Titus) in Crete, that you might set in order what remains, and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, (Titus had the assignment of organizing the local churches so they would be self sustaining and healthy. He was to appoint Elders in each congregation for the good and prosperity of all. Paul goes on to speak of the necessary character of these men, which is somewhat intimidating.) {6} namely, if any man be above reproach, the husband of one wife, (An Elder cannot be a bigamist, having more than one wife at a time.) having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. (As we have discussed many times this statement cannot mean that one cannot serve as an Elder if his kids are not saved. For that to be the case a young married man could not serve as an Elder for he might have kids that would not be Christians. Further, a man with children could not serve for his kids might not be converted and if they were professing Christians at the moment they might be proven false in the future. The statement, "having children who believe" is explained by the next statement, "not accused of dissipation or rebellion." In other words, the children of an Elder must be under his control when they are in his presence. A man under consideration for the office of Elder who does not discipline his children at home and in public disqualifies himself for this office.) {7} For the overseer (This is synonym for Elder and describes his function. For he is one who oversees the church. He watches over her as a shepherd watches his sheep. This man is concerned for her well-being both physically and spiritually. He is an overseer of all things pertaining to the church. Further he is not alone for there are, ideally, "Elders" in the church who work together. Paul continues, he . .) must be above reproach as God's steward, (a steward of truth as well as material goods) not self-willed, (not driven by a desire to please his flesh) not quick-tempered, (inclined to anger) not addicted to wine, (not a drunkard) not pugnacious, (not a striker, one who will fight at the drop of a hat) not fond of sordid gain, (not a greedy man) {8} but hospitable, (one who is willing to entertain strangers) loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, (a strong master of himself) {9} holding fast the faithful (reliable) word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. (One must hold fast to the word of God if he hopes to exhort in sound doctrine and to defend the truth. A man who is not committed to the Bible as the only rule of faith and practice must not be considered a candidate for the office of Elder/Pastor/Teacher.) {10} For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, (the Jews, or today, people who would pollute the Gospel with a teaching of works.) {11} who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach, for the sake of sordid gain. (This was and remains on of the responsibility of the Elders in the church. To silence those who would teach false doctrine, men who care for money and not souls.) {12} One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." {13} This testimony is true. For this cause reprove them severely that they may be sound in the faith, (The Elder must be a strong man, one dependant on the Lord, for he must stand toe to toe and face to face with the enemies of truth and reprove them severely. He does this with the hope they will turn from their wicked ways to the Lord and His teachings. He does this knowing full well that the consequences in this life may be quite severe, as Paul and early disciples found out.) {14} not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth."

There is much more that could be said but is this not enough? Paul and Barnabas went from city to city establishing new churches and appointing such men to lead, teach and guard the people of God from His enemies. Our Father looks after our souls so well. He has not forgotten or left out anything we need. He has even given us Elders, Pastor/Teachers to look after our souls.

Having appointed Elders to rule, exhort, guard, teach, lead, chasten, and love the people of God Paul left them with this instruction. (Hebrews 13:17 NASB) "Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for (because) they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you."

To obey your leaders and submit to them is to obey God and submit to Him. I say this cautiously. For men must be followed with great care. Paul was bold enough to say follow me as I follow the Lord. But he also made it perfectly clear that Christians must obey God rather than man. The teaching and exhortation of the Elders in your particular church must be taken very seriously. And, so far as they teach you truth and call you to obey the God who saved us, we must submit to and obey them. Likewise if they ever stray from the truth we must defy them. Elders must be men who genuinely care about the spiritual well being of all those placed in their charge. This ought to be the case for they will one day give an account for how they cared for or neglected the sheep of God’s pasture. The Pastor/Teacher will be judged more severely for the office he holds and the damage he is capable of doing to the people of God. Before these truths I tremble with an ever-increasing fear. Finally Paul counsels the church. "Let them do this (let the Elders rule over, guide, teach, exhort, keep watch over your souls) with joy and not with grief, (deep sighs and complaining) for this would be unprofitable for you." He says in essence, "Relate to your overseers in such a way that they can be glad you are part of their congregation. Let them watch over you with joy instead of grief, reluctance, and dread. In other words, don’t be the kind of person who makes the Pastor’s job distasteful so that he cannot enjoy caring for you. To do so is unprofitable for him and you as well.

So, the great Apostle and his companion Barnabas have completed their first missionary journey. It has been a complete success in spite of the fact Paul was nearly killed. It was a success in that men and women came to trust in Christ for the salvation of their never dying souls. It was a success in that churches were established and Elders appointed to watch over those who had been saved. Yes Paul was nearly killed, but it is not the physical lives of the missionaries that mattered, rather it was the souls of those to whom they took the good news. It is no different today, this life is but a moment, eternity is never ending. Every person we meet will end up in heaven or in hell. Therefore, let us be diligent in the proclamation of the Good News that Jesus saves every sinner who comes to Him by faith. He saves them for all time and eternity for the glory of God the Father and Creator of all. He saves them by grace through faith not of works lest any man should boast.