MSB ACTs Chapter 14

Paul and Barnabas at Iconium

At Iconium, [Paul and Barnabas] went as usual into the vvv Jewish synagogue, [where] they spoke so [ well ] that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned [their] minds against the brothers. 3 So [Paul and Barnabas] spent considerable time {there}, speaking boldly for the Lord, who affirmed the message of His grace by enabling vvv vvv vvv them to perform signs and wonders.

4 

The people of the city were divided. [Some] sided with the Jews, and [others] with the apostles. 5 But when the Gentiles and Jews, together with their rulers, vvv set out to mistreat and stone them, 6 they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding region, 7 where they continued to preach the gospel.

8 

The Visit to Lystra and Derbe

In Lystra there sat a man crippled in [his] feet, who was lame from birth [and] {had} never walked. 9 This [man] was listening to the words of Paul, who looked intently at him and saw that he had faith to be healed. 10 In a loud voice [Paul] called out,“Stand up on your feet!” And [the man] jumped up and began to walk.

11 

[When] the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices 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 their city,[fn] brought bulls and wreaths to the [city] gates, hoping to offer a sacrifice along with the crowds.

14 

But [when] the apostles Barnabas and Paul found out about this, they tore their clothes [and] rushed into the crowd, shouting, 15 “Men, why are you doing this? We too are [only] men, human like you. We are bringing you good news that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and vvv everything in them. 16 In past generations, [He] let all nations go their [own] way. 17 Yet vvv He has not left Himself without testimony to His goodness: He gives you[fn] rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our[fn] hearts with food and gladness.”

18 

Even with these words, vvv [Paul and Barnabas] could hardly stop the crowds from vvv sacrificing to them.

19 

Then [some] Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won over the crowds. They stoned Paul [and] dragged [him] outside the city, presuming he was dead. 20 But [after] the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. And the next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.

21 

Strengthening the Disciples

They preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples [Then] they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples [and] encouraging [them] to continue in the faith.“We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” [they said].

23 

[Paul and Barnabas] appointed elders for them in each church, praying [and] fasting as they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.

24 

[After] passing through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 And [when] they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.

26 

From [Attalia] they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work they had just completed. 27 [When] they arrived, they gathered the church {together} [and] reported all that God had done through them, and how He had opened [the] door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they spent vvv a long time there[fn] with the disciples.