You’ve reached Part 2 of Acts 14’s lesson. More wonders await. Today a revelation of useless and meaningless things and more signs too. Always some come to faith, even when there is much opposition. Keep up your witness.
Let’s pray:
Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing things that are useless and meaningless in Scripture. Thank You for assuring us of what really matters too. Help us see signs and wonders in our lives too, Lord. Lead us throughout all of life Lord.
Please read Acts 14:12-18
Useless and Meaningless Things
12 They began calling Barnabas, Zeus [chief of the Greek gods], and Paul, Hermes [messenger of the Greek gods], since he took the lead in speaking. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance of the city, brought bulls and garlands to the city gates, and wanted to offer sacrifices with the crowds.
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard about it, they [d]tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting, 15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We too are only men of the same nature as you, bringing the good news to you, so that you turn from these useless and meaningless things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything that is in them. 16 In generations past He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; 17 yet He did not leave Himself without some witness [as evidence of Himself], in that He kept constantly doing good things and showing you kindness, and giving you rains from heaven and productive seasons, filling your hearts with food and happiness.”
18 Even saying these words, with difficulty they prevented the people from offering sacrifices to them.
I find it very reassuring that those words are in Scripture. There really is only One God. All others are useless and meaningless things. Be certain you worship the One God in your day and repent for believing in any other useless and meaningless thing. And watch, you might see signs and wonders too.
Please read Acts 14:19-25
More Signs and Wonders
19 But Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead. 20 But the disciples formed a circle around him, and he got up and went back into the city; and the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.
21 They preached the good news to that city and made many disciples, then they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening and establishing the hearts of the disciples; encouraging them to remain firm in the faith, saying, “It is through many tribulations and hardships that we must enter the kingdom of God.” 23 When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they believed [and joyfully accepted as the Messiah].
24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 When they had spoken the word [of salvation through faith in Christ] in Perga, they went down to Attalia.
Only one in Scripture we hear of surviving stoning. Praise God he resurrected Paul from that so he could continue these travels and grow the faith of people throughout the world and through all these many years.
Please read Acts 14:26-28
Return to Antioch
26 From there they sailed back to [e]Antioch, where they had been entrusted to the grace of God for the [f]work which they had now completed. 27 Arriving there, they gathered the church together and began to report [in great detail] everything that God had done with them and how He had opened to the Gentiles a door of faith [in Jesus as the Messiah and Savior]. 28 And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.
18 months away and then stayed a long time with the disciples in Antioch. Wow. What a great trip they had. What wonderful things happened. Can you remember any of them? Really wonder-making things. This book is so full of them. This chapter is the half way point. Keep studying, keep learning, keep growing your faith.
Footnotes
[c] in human form – Acts 14:11 Lit having become like humans.
[d] tore their robes – Acts 14:14 This was the customary Jewish response to blasphemy, which in this case was appropriate because the apostles were wrongly being identified as gods.
[e] Antioch – Acts 14:26 This was the third largest city in the Roman Empire and was part of the province of Galatia.
[f] work – Acts 14:26 The first missionary journey lasted about eighteen months.