After he became a Christian, Paul spent some time in Antioch. Then the church of Antioch sent him on the first official missionary journey with another disciple named Barnabas.
In the city of Lystra, Paul began ministering by performing a mighty miracle. A man who was crippled from birth was healed. (Acts 14:8-10) The crowd of the city went wild. They exalted both Paul and Barnabas as gods; they even prepared a sacrifice of oxen before them!
Then Paul and Barnabas became excited. They tore their clothing and ran into the crowd. They cried, “why are you doing this? We also are men . . .” (v. 15a RSV) Paul added, “turn from these vain things to a living God who made the heaven and the earth . . .” (v. 15b)
Perhaps the admonition to turn from vain things explains what followed. Just days later, when influenced by adversaries from city they had visited earlier, the people stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city. (v. 19b) Then they left him there for dead.
The rapid turn-around of the people makes no sense to a rational mind. But a rational mind would not try to make a person a god. When people are deceived, they are easily swayed.
Originally published December 11, 1981.
Moving Time
15 years ago
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