A Violent Reaction

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.

Sent to Antioch

Tumultuous events occurred in the early church. A young evangelist named Stephen did remarkable things for God. When religious leaders from the Temple could not stop him any other way, they turned violent. They stoned him. Another young man named Saul of Tarsus—not yet converted to Paul—approved of the stoning. (Acts 6 and 7)

As events unfolded, many Christians fled from Jerusalem, traveling as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch . . . . (Acts 11:19b NKJV) But God used everything that happened. When the dispersed Christians reached their new locations, they established themselves and shared the Gospel in their new settings.

The Christians initially reached out to other Jews in the area—they were comfortable with their own kind. But the Christians who went to Antioch were more open. They shared with Greeks as well. And many Greeks accepted Christ.

This required a response from the still-infant church. When leaders in Jerusalem heard what was happening, they commissioned Barnabas to go to Antioch to encourage and teach the new converts.

Perhaps they chose Barnabas because he was a native of Cyprus who understood people outside the Jewish heritage. Perhaps they sent him simply because he had a gentle temperament. Whatever the reason, When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord . . . And a great many people were added to the Lord. (v. 23,24b)

Originally published March 20, 1992.
Picture: Tulip, West Fargo, 2209. Photo by Solveig.