Acts 14
Summary. This chapter continues the missionary journey of the apostle Paul and Barnabas, and we witness how the Lord worked miracles through their hands. We also see that the dark tries to stop the spreading of the good news to the world. Acts 14:1-7. Apostle Paul and Barnabas minister at Iconium. First, the disciples entered the synagogues and proclaimed the good news. The disciples did the work by the Lord God Almighty’s hand, and human eyes have seen His miracle work of mercy. However, the dark side will always be there to try interrupt the work of God. Acts 14:8-18. Apostle Paul and Barnabas minister at Lystra. In this place, the apostle Paul, guided by the Holy Spirit, healed a man lame from his mother’s womb. When the ordinary people of the place saw the miracle, they initially believed it was their faith’s god who had come down among them and wanted to offer sacrifices to the disciples. The disciples acted against people’s actions immediately. Humans cannot worship humans, and the disciples proclaimed to them the Lord God Almighty as the only One God to be worshiped. Acts 14:19-23. Apostle Paul stoned at Lystra. The people of the Lord, who had dark mind control, followed the disciples to stop the work of spreading the good news and stoned the apostle Paul. The Lord protected Paul, who rose up after the stoning and continued the journey, guided by the Holy Spirit, to spread the good news and support the new disciples in their faith. Acts 14:24-28. Apostle Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch of Syria. Guided by the Holy Spirit, the apostle Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch of Syria, where they reported to the church on their missionary journey, detailing how the Lord opened a door of faith and worked miracles among the Gentiles.
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And it came to pass in Iconium, according to the same, they entered into the synagogue of the Jews, and spoke, so that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed.
Comments Acts 14:1
“And it came to pass in Iconium ...” The way of the Lord God Almighty to teach the disciples to have the right way toward the outsiders: each place they go, first they must enter into the worship place of the Jews and tell the people the good news, because when the people hear the good news, the hearts that are gentle and willing to follow will be stirred up to receive the teaching from the disciples regarding the Lord God Almighty’s way of life.
“So that a great multitude ...” All readers can notice what happened in this place: when the ears hear the good news, the hearts that are sensitive toward the Lord God Almighty will be stirred up, and the urge of the heart to receive and hear more about the way of the Lord in teaching will come.
“So that a great multitude ...” All readers can notice what happened in this place: when the ears hear the good news, the hearts that are sensitive toward the Lord God Almighty will be stirred up, and the urge of the heart to receive and hear more about the way of the Lord in teaching will come.
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But the unbelieving Jews stirred up and harmed the minds of the Gentiles against the brothers.
Comments Acts 14:2
It is not the outsiders that want to fight against the Lord, but the Lord’s children are the ones who, with hearts full of dark minds in them, stirred the outsiders to fight against the Lord’s teachings; the rebellious hearts had poisoned the Gentiles to fight against faith.
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Long time, indeed, therefore, they remained speaking boldly in the Lord , who bore witness to the word of H is grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
Comments Acts 14:3
“Long time, indeed, therefore, they remained ...” When speaking the Holy Word, everyone must speak out boldly, because the word of the Lord God Almighty is holy, and must be spoken out clearly for all who listen, so they hear and understand.
“Who bore witness to the word of His grace ...” The apostle did the work by the Lord God Almighty’s hand. By His guidance, all things will succeed, and the Lord God Almighty Himself will be the One who performs all the miracles. The witnesses of the Lord God Almighty’s miracle work of mercy have been seen by human eyes, and those miracles become witnesses of the work of God Himself.
“Who bore witness to the word of His grace ...” The apostle did the work by the Lord God Almighty’s hand. By His guidance, all things will succeed, and the Lord God Almighty Himself will be the One who performs all the miracles. The witnesses of the Lord God Almighty’s miracle work of mercy have been seen by human eyes, and those miracles become witnesses of the work of God Himself.
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Now, the multitude of the city was divided; and some, indeed, were with the Jews; however, some with the apostles.
Comments Acts 14:4
When the good news spreads among people, the dark side will always be there to interrupt the work. People have been divided according to their hearts; those who listen and meditate on the good news will follow the right path, but those with negative minds will listen to the explanations of the dark side and go against the good news.
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And when there was made an assault both of the Gentiles and of the Jews with their rulers, to insult and to stone them,
Comments Acts 14:5
The people, when the dark mind influences, do things that even they themselves know are wrong. They see the work of the Lord, hear the word, but the dark mind is still influencing them, and violence is the only option for the dark that they want to use in order to stop the work of the Lord in saving humans.
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having become aware, they fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra, and Derbe, and the surrounding region,
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and there preaching the gospel they continued.
Comments Acts 14:6-7
The disciples, guided by the Holy Spirit, went to the places the Lord had guided them to, for work to be done. When one place does not want to receive the good news, go to the next place; the work for saving souls is not in one place alone.
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And at Lystra there sat a certain man, impotent in the feet, lame from his mother's womb, who never had walked.
Comments Acts 14:8
Give attention, all readers, this man had problems from birth, but problems with the body and not with the heart, and the Lord God Almighty sees his heart that is made whole, unlike his body.
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The man heard Paul speaking, who, having looked intently at him, and having seen that he has faith to be healed,
Comments Acts 14:9
“The man heard Paul speaking.” The man’s ear is open to receive the good news, and because the ear is open to receive the good news to the heart, this has made him have faith, and without knowing, the heart rejoices in the good news and has faith because of the hearing.
“Who, having looked intently at him ...” The Lord God Almighty opened His apostle’s heart to see the man’s faith in God. With the human eyes, the apostle could see the faithful heart of the man who was sick. The mercy of God had linked the heart of the man to the apostle. When the apostle saw and knew by heart that the man had faith, the apostle’s heart also joined with the man’s heart, and the faith joined together as well.
“Who, having looked intently at him ...” The Lord God Almighty opened His apostle’s heart to see the man’s faith in God. With the human eyes, the apostle could see the faithful heart of the man who was sick. The mercy of God had linked the heart of the man to the apostle. When the apostle saw and knew by heart that the man had faith, the apostle’s heart also joined with the man’s heart, and the faith joined together as well.
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said with a loud voice, Stand upright on your feet! And he leaped up and began to walk.
Comments Acts 14:10
“... Stand upright on your feet.” The Lord God Almighty knows the man’s heart. This order from the apostle is a straight command, but makes the heart of the man give attention to the order. When the heart follows the word of the apostle, the Lord God Almighty also gives the man good legs and energy; the faith gives energy to the body and also leads strength to the soul.
“And he leaped up and began to walk.” All humans give attention: the power of the Holy Word gives strength to the body. Regardless of the sickness of the body, faith and trust in the Holy Word perform miracles in human life; the example is shown in this verse about what faith can do.
“And he leaped up and began to walk.” All humans give attention: the power of the Holy Word gives strength to the body. Regardless of the sickness of the body, faith and trust in the Holy Word perform miracles in human life; the example is shown in this verse about what faith can do.
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And the multitude having seen what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods, having become like men, have come down to us.
Comments Acts 14:11
“And the multitude having seen what Paul ...” The miracle the apostle performed made humans feel in their hearts that this is beyond human doing. The speech of their hearts and minds would proclaim that the miracle which happened in front of their eyes was not normal any longer.
“The gods, having become like men ...” Common men, common life, when they see miracles, they first believe that this is the god of their faith that came down among them. The teachings of their forefathers, regarding their faith in their god, proved to be true for them at this point, as their god had the power to come down and be human like them.
“The gods, having become like men ...” Common men, common life, when they see miracles, they first believe that this is the god of their faith that came down among them. The teachings of their forefathers, regarding their faith in their god, proved to be true for them at this point, as their god had the power to come down and be human like them.
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And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury, because he was the chief speaker.
Comments Acts 14:12
All believers give attention; when the mind is covered with dark, it will search the dark way in worship, and this is the way the dark uses the human mind by appointing someone to be a replacement as their god on earth. As these people want to put the Lord’s servants in a position with their abominable beliefs, it is an unacceptable way of life for humans to be; men’s minds make god to worship and this puts humans in the place of god. When putting the man in the place of God for worship, they had shown to all that this is only the dark mind that came up with it.
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And the priest of Jupiter, being just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and intended to sacrifice with the multitudes.
Comments Acts 14:13
The dark uses the human mind to gain power and control. At this place, by making sacrifices in front of people, it also makes the people believe that what they are doing is holy. Sacrificing animals for the evil to eat is not the way the Lord God Almighty teaches His children. To sacrifice to the Lord, do it with the heart, nothing around; to sacrifice for the Lord God Almighty is for pleasing Him, not for controlling people. The way of the dark and the light in worship is different.
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But, the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, having heard, having torn their garments, they sprang forth into the multitude, crying out
Comments Acts 14:14
When the disciples see the reaction of people towards them, they immediately feel that this is the wrong way people are treating them. Humans cannot worship humans, but they must be told in the right way that everyone should worship only One God in heaven, the Lord God Almighty. The people’s action in this place also makes the disciples’ hearts think about how humans might react when they see miracles happening in front of them; this will always be as a teaching for their hearts.
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and saying, Men, why do you do these things? We also are men of like nature with you, proclaiming the gospel to you, that you should turn from these vain things to the living God , who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them,
Comments Acts 14:15
“We also are men of like nature with you.” The disciples reveal the true nature of themselves to the people, and by telling them these things, they make people’s hearts rethink as well, that their actions are not proper. In this place, people’s hearts and minds begin to rethink their next steps.
“Proclaiming the gospel to you ...” The true gospel has been proclaimed to all the listeners in that time and the next generations as well, that there is only One who created all things and all humans should worship only that One alone, not someone or something else. There is only One who has true power, who can create all things.
“Proclaiming the gospel to you ...” The true gospel has been proclaimed to all the listeners in that time and the next generations as well, that there is only One who created all things and all humans should worship only that One alone, not someone or something else. There is only One who has true power, who can create all things.
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who in the past generations allowed all the nations to go their ways.
Comments Acts 14:16
Always, the Lord God Almighty gives freedom for people to choose which way they want to take. He only gives advice but never forces anyone to do against their own will.
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And yet, He left H imself not without witness, doing good, giving you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.
Comments Acts 14:17
Give attention, the Lord God Almighty has done many miracles on earth; the eyes can see, the ears can hear, and the hearts can feel the wonderful things around their body, but the dark, in their hearts, makes them become blind in all directions. The hearts do not want to acknowledge the mercy of the Lord, and make humans walk astray out of the right path to follow the dark way.
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And sayings these things, with difficulty, they restrained the multitudes from sacrificing to them.
Comments Acts 14:18
“And sayings these things, with difficulty.” The apostle, guided by the Lord God Almighty, stopped the people from doing wrong things. The disciples did not have the feeling in them to be lifted up above what they were.
“They restrained the multitudes ...” When the multitude wanted to sacrifice, for them that also have put them above being normal humans, but the true heart that has faith in the Lord God Almighty cannot accept to be lifted up in this way. Sacrifices to humans must be ended for the people to turn back to the right way in worship.
“They restrained the multitudes ...” When the multitude wanted to sacrifice, for them that also have put them above being normal humans, but the true heart that has faith in the Lord God Almighty cannot accept to be lifted up in this way. Sacrifices to humans must be ended for the people to turn back to the right way in worship.
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However, there came Jews from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him outside the city, supposing that he was dead.
Comments Acts 14:19
“However, there came Jews from Antioch ...” The people of the Lord who had dark mind control followed the disciples to stop the work of the Lord God Almighty in spreading the good news to the people. It was not the outsiders that tried to stop the work but the Lord’s children who had dark minds covered, who wanted to stop the people from worshiping the Lord God Almighty.
“They stoned Paul, and dragged him ...” To stone people, they also wanted to tell everyone that the disciples blasphemed against the Lord God Almighty and deserved this punishment.
“They stoned Paul, and dragged him ...” To stone people, they also wanted to tell everyone that the disciples blasphemed against the Lord God Almighty and deserved this punishment.
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However, the disciples having surrounded him, he rose up, he entered into the city, and on the next day he went forth with Barnabas to Derbe.
Comments Acts 14:20
“However, the disciples having surrounded him.” The disciples went around the servant of the Lord God Almighty because of faith in their hearts.
“He rose up, he entered into the city.” Paul received the guidance on where to go. He got up and followed the guidance in his heart, which led him to a specific place and people where the work needed to be done, and the good news be announced to their hearts.
“And on the next day he went forth ...” The guidance of whom to take with him had followed to the heart of the disciple, and the place also had been led to; in this place, the Lord God Almighty had the plan for work waiting.
“He rose up, he entered into the city.” Paul received the guidance on where to go. He got up and followed the guidance in his heart, which led him to a specific place and people where the work needed to be done, and the good news be announced to their hearts.
“And on the next day he went forth ...” The guidance of whom to take with him had followed to the heart of the disciple, and the place also had been led to; in this place, the Lord God Almighty had the plan for work waiting.
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Then, having proclaimed the gospel to that city, and having discipled many, they returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch,
Comments Acts 14:21
“Then, having proclaimed the gospel ...” When the gospel had been proclaimed, the hearts of many had been stirred up to follow, and those whose hearts had been stirred up also made the move to follow the disciples because the knowledge in their hearts told them that by following the disciples of the Lord, they had work to do ahead of them. When they became disciples, they would follow to learn more, which they needed.
“They returned to Lystra ...” When the certain job was finished, they returned back to the place that still needed work to be done. The Lord guided the servants back to continue the work.
“They returned to Lystra ...” When the certain job was finished, they returned back to the place that still needed work to be done. The Lord guided the servants back to continue the work.
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strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God .
Comments Acts 14:22
“Strengthening the souls of the disciples.” The faithful servants gave many words of encouragement to the people, which all believers should do when they meet new believers. The words that they spoke strengthened the hearts of believers and gave them more faith.
“Exhorting them to continue in the faith.” In order to stay firm in faith, all believers must continue in prayer and discuss the word to eliminate doubt among believers.
“And that through many tribulations ...” The believers will face many challenges, but prayer and meditation will help them to go through life and reach to the end victoriously. The mind of all believers should be set on where and how they will go at the end, and because of that, when meditating on the word, the heart will stay firm in prayer.
“Exhorting them to continue in the faith.” In order to stay firm in faith, all believers must continue in prayer and discuss the word to eliminate doubt among believers.
“And that through many tribulations ...” The believers will face many challenges, but prayer and meditation will help them to go through life and reach to the end victoriously. The mind of all believers should be set on where and how they will go at the end, and because of that, when meditating on the word, the heart will stay firm in prayer.
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Now, having appointed for them elders in every church, having prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord , in whom they had believed.
Comments Acts 14:23
“Now, having appointed for them ...” The faithful servants, looking upon the new believers, could see and know, and the Lord God Almighty would confirm in their hearts, whom they should appoint to help the new believers. The leaders are important in helping to guide the new believers to stay firm and have peace in the Lord together as one.
“Having prayed with fasting ...” All believers give attention: prayer and fasting are important for the faith to grow, and in this place, the faithful servants had given them an example, praying and fasting in order to strengthen the faith of all.
“Having prayed with fasting ...” All believers give attention: prayer and fasting are important for the faith to grow, and in this place, the faithful servants had given them an example, praying and fasting in order to strengthen the faith of all.
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And having passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.
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And having spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia;
Comments Acts 14:24-25
The path for travel that the disciples have taken by the guidance of the Lord God Almighty, at the end of the way, their work will be, when the disciples pass through many towns and meet many people. The Lord continued teaching the disciples how to interact with people from different cultures and lifestyles, and the disciples gained experience for their work in the future.
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and from there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled.
Comments Acts 14:26
“And from there they sailed to Antioch.” The place to land on the land had come, and the disciples would enter the challenge in working at this place, but the Lord God Almighty also had people in His plan to use in helping to spread the good news.
“From where they had been committed ...” All readers, give attention: the place for the disciples to fulfill the work is here, and the Lord God Almighty has brought them to the place which will further the work in the future.
“From where they had been committed ...” All readers, give attention: the place for the disciples to fulfill the work is here, and the Lord God Almighty has brought them to the place which will further the work in the future.
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Now having arrived, and having gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and that H e had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
Comments Acts 14:27
“Now having arrived ...” When the faithful servants of the Lord arrived at the place that the Lord guided them, the first thing they did was gather the ones who had faith together in one place to listen to the good news from them. This gathering also tells all new and old believers that the unity of faith is important.
“They rehearsed all that God had done with them.” When all believers gathered together, the disciples declared to them all what the Lord God Almighty had done: the miracles they witnessed, all the good deeds they had been guided to do; they were witnesses to the miracles of the Lord God Almighty. Now, both new and old believers hear about the work of the Lord God Almighty at this time; not only have they heard stories from their forefathers, but now they have real witnesses telling them in front of them.
“And that He had opened a door of faith ...” When the Lord God Almighty performs miracles, it is not only for His own children alone to benefit, but the whole world will benefit from these miracles. The Gentiles had come to faith at this time because of the miracles that had been shown to their eyes. Now His own children would recognize that the Lord God Almighty is not for them alone, but the Gentiles as well are called to be His children.
“They rehearsed all that God had done with them.” When all believers gathered together, the disciples declared to them all what the Lord God Almighty had done: the miracles they witnessed, all the good deeds they had been guided to do; they were witnesses to the miracles of the Lord God Almighty. Now, both new and old believers hear about the work of the Lord God Almighty at this time; not only have they heard stories from their forefathers, but now they have real witnesses telling them in front of them.
“And that He had opened a door of faith ...” When the Lord God Almighty performs miracles, it is not only for His own children alone to benefit, but the whole world will benefit from these miracles. The Gentiles had come to faith at this time because of the miracles that had been shown to their eyes. Now His own children would recognize that the Lord God Almighty is not for them alone, but the Gentiles as well are called to be His children.
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Then they remained no little time with the disciples.
Comments Acts 14:28
Remaining together was also a time for them to share in more detail what they had faced; these details will also confirm to the disciples that the Lord God Almighty was at work for all humans, not only for His own children.
Life and faith applications. 1) Pray and meditate on the Word of God to protect our faith and avoid listening to those acting under dark control. 2) Do not create division among believers; instead, always seek guidance from the Holy Spirit during difficult situations. 3) We must recognize the diversity of cultures and people in the world; with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we can learn how to interact with them and spread the good news. 4) We should stand firmly against all forms of idol worship and resist the temptation to seek praise or worship for ourselves. 5) Do not give up on spreading the good news, even when faced with persecution; the Lord provides many opportunities for us to carry out His work. 6) Encourage one another in faith and share our testimonies about the work of faith in our lives whenever we can.