Paul & Barnabas Continue
Saul and Barnabas are sent to the Gentiles by God. Saul becomes Paul as the journey continues and focuses on Gentiles.
We left Paul and Barnabas the last time as they were driven from Antioch Pisidia. This is the first time they are actively expelled; during this journey. NOT the first time the Jews became angry about them. And it won’t be the last time either. Let’s rejoin them on this journey as they reach out beyond the Jews with the gospel’s good news.
Holy Spirit, I’m sorry for how many times I got distracted the last few days. Help me to focus on Your telling of this story. I LOVE the fact that I’m ‘learning’ new things as we go along. I KNOW I have read these passages before, but they didn’t come to life for me until now. Keep them growing and keep showing them to me. Let me share this with others as well.
♥ ♦ ♥
After shaking the dust off their feet from Antioch Pisidia, Paul and Barnabas are on their way to Iconium.
“That was an amazing time in Antioch. SO many new believers. We have to trust that God has their care well in hand” comments Barnabas.
“It was. And it is interesting how it turned so quickly. I’m grateful for EVERY MOMENT we were allowed to share the gospel with the people. That city will NEVER be the same again!”
“Do you think we did the right thing; shaking the dust off our feet as a witness against them” asks Barnabas.
“It is what Jesus told His disciples to do” replies Paul. “Besides, the Lord know which men to condemn and which to raise up. The believers are in His hands. He will watch after them and judge between them.”
Barnabas nods in agreement as they walk on.
Even with the less challenging terrain, it still takes several days to reach their destination. On the way, they share the word with every little group they can. Several of these become followers of Jesus.
Three days after leaving Antioch Pisidia, Paul and Barnabas are welcomed into the Iconium. Word has proceeded their arrival.
“Brothers! Welcome to Iconium. We are looking forward to spending time with you in study.”
Paul has an open and genuine smile as he meets this man. We are very exicted to ssee where the Lord leads us.”
”We would have it no other way!”
The three walk together through the city with their guide pointing out places of interest. He points to a synagogue as they pass by. Paul stops and stares it for a little while.
“Is this the only synagogue in the city? Is this where you worship? May we join you in services.”
“Let me take this one question at a time please.”
Barnabas laughs. “That is one of Paul’s favorite sayings. It is good to see it being used on him as well.”
“First, this is the only synagogue in the city, making it the place I worship. And, we would be most honored if you would join us on the Sabbath for worship. Our rabi will probably ask you to say a few words.”
Barnabas laughs again. He puts a hand on Paul’s shoulder. “Brother Paul here is NOT a man of few words!…”
Paul pretends to take offense.
“…But the words he does share are well worth waiting on.”
The two missionaries are invited by their new friend to stay with him during their visit. As they are making their way to his home, Paul raises an issue.
“With all the wandering we have done through the city, I never remember hearing your name.”
Their host stops short and his eyes go wide. “I did it again!”
“Did what” asks Barnabas.
“I get so busy talking to people, and they feel like old friends so quickly, that I forget to introduce myself. Please forgive me. I am Levi. Your names, of course, I already know.”
Paul laughs. “You have a very disarming way with people and I feel as though we are old friends as well. Thank you, Levi. We are grateful for your hospitality.”
When the Sabbath arrives, Paul and Barnabas accompany Levi to the synagogue. He begins introducing them around. Many of the people are already familiar with them as they met while walking the streets the last two days.
Paul held of teaching though, as he wants to teach first in the Jewish synagogue. Give the Jews ‘first crack’ at faith in Jesus. Once they are rejected by the Jews, Paul is free to turn to the Gentiles. This is his practice.
Paul and Barnabas take seats among the other worshipers, foregoing the honored seats, as usual. Levi suggests they move up, but they wave him off. The service starts with the traditional opening blessing and prayer, the Shema, are offered. Then the longer standing prayer, Amidah, is recited by all. Next a reading from the Torah, followed by a reading from Haftarah, writings of the prophets.
As the service moves into the portion where scripture is expounded upon, the rabi calls upon Paul to share a word. As is his custom in any new town, Paul shares the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Messiah by Jesus of Nazareth.
“Jesus IS the Son of God, the Christ, the Messiah” Paul concludes.
A great number of both Jews and Greeks believe the words of Paul and come to faith in Jesus. But those who don’t do not go quietly away. They begin stirring up their neighbors against Paul and Barnabas, including their Gentile neighbors.
Paul and Barnabas continue speaking in both the synagogue and the streets for more than two months before things come to a head. During this time, the Holy Spirit is performing miracles, signs and wonders by the hands of Paul and Barnabas. Healings abound to those who believe and seek prayer. This drives an even deeper wedge between the two factions. By now, the town is split in two. Half are believers and have oppose Paul’s message.
The tensions in the city are so thick you can almost feel it. Bitter looks between what once were friends, harsh words, and scheming are rife throughout the city. Those opposing the apostles are not constrained by the same Spirit that the believers are. They entertain ideas abhorrent to the believers. Their current plan is to physically prevent Paul and Barnabas from continuing to spread the gospel. And those opposing them have recruited the leaders of the city in their plans. To mistreat at minimum, or stone the apostles.
Paul is busy organizing the believers into a church body before he is forced from the city. He is excited seeing it take root. He and Barnabas establish churches in all the large cities they visit along the way. This one and the one in Antioch Pisidia are given the longest time to grow.
As the church strengthens, they also continue gathering believers. And some of those believers become allies in strategic places. One such ally brings word of the plot against Paul and Barnabas.
“They intend to kill the apostles. If they have their way, no one else will ever hear the gospel preached; at least not by these two honorable men.”
“Then they must leave. We cannot let the gospel end here.”
It is agreed. Paul and Barnabas leave under cover of darkness and make their way to Lystra. After walking all night, they arrive in the morning. It is a fairly easy journey as the Roman highway connects the two towns and the elevation is close to the same.
Paul and Barnabas find a place to rest for a few hours. There is no synagogue in Lystra, so they choose an inn. At midday they begin preaching in the streets. Many people gather around and follow as they move closer to the Temple of Zeus.
Many of the same things common in the Temple in Jerusalem are also present in this temple as well. Beggers seeking alms. Merchants selling sacrifices. Worshipers gathering around. And grand architecture. One glaring difference is the statues of foreign gods.
Paul and Barnabas are not deterred by these statues. They choose a place on the steps of the temple and begin proclaiming the gospel to the people. People gather around, listening intently. Many believe, while others are simply curious.
One man in the crowd watches from a blanket. He is one of those who beg for alms. He has been crippled since birth and this is the only way he can support himself. And Paul’s words are deeply stirring his heart.
Paul’s attention is drawn to the man and his spirit is moved as he sees how the man is drinking in the gospel. It is as if Paul can see faith rising up in this man. Paul locks eyes with the man and speaks directly to him.
“Stand upright on your feet” (Acts 14:10).
Instantly, the man jumps to his feet and begins walking.
People all around are stunned at this. They have never seen such miracles and attribute them to their own gods. They begin calling out; “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” (Acts 14:11).
Paul and Barnabas immediately motion for them to be quiet, but they don’t listen. Paul then starts calling out to them. “We are NOT gods. This is the work of the Living God whom I was telling you about.”
The people are still not listening. They begin calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes. No matter how loud Paul and Barnabas protest, the people refuse to hear.
What started out small, grows even more alarming as the priest of Zeus, whose temple is at the edge of the city, brings oxen and garland to the temple gates. He intends to make an offering to the apostles, calling them also gods.
Seeing this, Paul and Barnabas tear their robes and rush from the temple. Even as they flee, they call out to the people; “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:15-17).
The people drop some of their fervor, but Paul and Barnabas are only barely able to prevent them from offering sacrifices. They do not return to the temple to share the gospel again. They choose the market place and streets as their mission field. Many come to faith in Jesus, but not nearly as many as in other towns.
Within a week, word has reached Iconium and Antioch Pisidia that Paul and Barnabas are in Lystra. The Jews who were against them in both cities band together and make their way to Lystra. Their single goal is to STOP the spread of the gospel. And to do that, Paul must die.
Upon reaching Lystra, this angry mob searches out Paul. They gather allies, or make them through mob mentality. By the time they locate Paul, the whole mob is at a fever pitch. They carry rocks in their hands that they picked up along the way. As they approach Paul, stones begin to fly.
Paul tries covering his head, but he is ringed on all sides by this angry mob. Within minutes, he is driven to the ground by the onslaught of stones. He lies motionless in the middle of the street. The originators of this mob are pleased. Those who were swept up in it are appalled at their own actions. As those who are ashamed of their actions leave, the Jews from Antioch and Iconium drag Paul’s body from the city and hurl it to the ground just beyond the gates.
Having completed their objective, the Jews return the way they came, to their own towns. When the last of them are finally gone, those who have found faith in the Lord from Paul’s message gather around him. Their hearts are breaking. As they begin to pray, Paul stirs. He raises his head from the ground. Barnabas reaches out and helps him to sit up.
It takes several minutes, but Paul rises from the ground, whole. His bones are miraculously knit back together, and even the bruising is fading. One would never know that he lay on the ground, presumed dead, only a short time ago.
Paul stands to his feet, turns to face the gates of the city, and starts walking. He walks right back into the city from which he was drug. Mouths drop open as he makes his way back to the very spot where he received the stones. He steps into the middle of the heaps lying on the ground and begins proclaiming the gospel again.
“God’s word will NOT be stopped. He is reaching out to the whole world. And if I don’t bring it, others will. Know this though, as long as there is breath in my body, I will proclaim the name of the Lord. And I will praise His name for all He has done for me.”
After saying this, Paul turns to leaves the city.
“Please rest the night at my home” one of the believers pleads.
The two apostles agree, but with the first light, they make their way to Derbe. It takes three days before they reach this remote city. They don’t expect the Jews to follow them here, especially since they believe that Paul is dead.
While Paul and Barnabas are on their journey, word spreads through Lystra of Paul’s return to the city. Some believe even more that they are gods, for who else but a god could survive death. Others hear the truth of Paul’s words and their faith deepens. They begin meeting together to share what they have learned.
Derbe is a welcoming city. They have no synagogue or temple. The people are a mix of Greeks, Romans, and people from the area. Few, if any Jews live here. Paul and Barnabas take to the streets to share the gospel.
Without the Jews, there is no opposition! The people receive the word with gladness and many new believers are added to the body of Christ. Paul and Barnabas stay long enough to establish a healthy church in this new community of believers.
“Brother Paul, I know it is selfish of us, but we want you to stay on longer” says the leader of the new church.
“I would love to remain here. You are so welcoming and open to the truth. But the Spirit it urging me to return the way we came. We need to strengthen the believers in those towns as well.”
“Will we ever see you again” the leader asks. His tone is ringed with sadness.
“I will make it a point to stop by again. And, if no where else, I will see you in the Kingdom of Heaven. We are brothers for eternity.”
The believers bid farewell to Paul and Barnabas with hopes of another visit.
As the two apostles make their way back to Lystra they begin talking about what to expect.
“I wonder how we are going to be received” says Barnabas.
“I am wondering about that too. Do you think the resistance has calmed down” asks Paul.
“It’s possible. I think seeing you in the city again, after they stoned you, was a good thing.”
“Maybe. It also might be a problem.”
“How so brother Paul?”
“Those who already thought us gods, might be convinced of that now. I do NOT want to be met with sacrifices and adulation!”
“Agreed!”
“As for the opposition, we have no way of knowing what to expect from them.”
“We need to pray for them” suggests Barnabas. “Let the Lord handle them.”
“I have been, but we need to do it now as well.”
The two stop by the side of the road to give the Lord their full attention.
“Lord Jesus, You know what we are returning to in the cities we previously entered. We know that there is a cost involved for ALL who share the truth of Your life and purpose for stepping down out of Heaven. We ask for Your protection as we revisit these cities and for the growth of You churches in each place. Open the ears and hearts of the people to Your truth and protect those who have already accepted the truths. In Your name we pray Jesus.”
Paul and Barnabas’ hearts are lighter within them and they continue on their journey. They reach Lystra in another two days.
While the apostles are in Derbe, news of Paul’s return from the ‘dead’ is spreading. There isn’t a household in the whole city that doesn’t know. The new believers are the most excited. They are sincerely hoping that the two apostles return on their way home.
As Paul and Barnabas are spotted approaching the city, excitement surges. Those who had participated in stoning them are fearful. “Will they strike us dead?” Those who worshiped them wonder what new miracles they might see. “Will they heal someone again? Will they allow us to finally worship them, as is fitting a god?” Those who are believers desire whatever teaching might be coming. “Are they bringing something more, or reinforcing what they already brought?” And the leaders are fearful of what new events might transpire. “Rome will have my HEAD if another mob breaks out! It’s was extremely gratifying to see that the man did not die at the hands of the mob. That is the only thing that saved me.”
Paul and Barnabas enter the city with gladness. Their sole purpose is to strengthen the believers. They hold no animosity towards those who participated in the mob. They forgave them already. They want NO worship from those who mistook them for their gods. They are here for the believers alone. To strengthen and encourage them in their walk, and ensure they have what they need to continue the work of the Lord. And they could care less about the leaders. Let Rome do what Rome does. It will NOT stop the spread of the gospel.
The leaders of the new church hurry to meet Paul and Barnabas.
“Brothers! Welcome back. Let’s get you settled in. Did you have a good journey?”
“We had a very blessed journey since we saw you last” replies Barnabas. “We will tell you all about it, after a short rest.”
“Of course. Right this way.”
The two apostles are given bread, wine, and water to wash their feet in the home of the leader of the church. And once they are refreshed, they recount their adventured in Derbe.
“The outpouring of the Spirit was amazing! Many people believed and received the Holy Spirit. They have a strong church and will be wonderful brothers and sisters for you. We plan on visiting all the churches we have planted along the way home. Make certain to support one another. Any letters you receive, share them with your brother churches here in Galatia. You are one body, one family. Encourage one another in doing good.”
Paul and Barnabas stay less than a week before setting out for Iconium. Before leaving they share one final meal with the believers. Paul presides over a communion memorial with them.
“I want to share in this remembrance with You of our Lord’s final meal with His disciples before going to the cross.”
Paul takes a loaf of unleavened bread, holds it in front of him. “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me’ (1 Corinthians 11:23-24).”
Paul begins tearing off pieces of the bread and handing it to those near him. “Pass this to everyone who is part of the Lord’s body.”
After the bread is served, Paul lifts a goblet from the table. He holds it out towards the people. “In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:25-26).
Paul takes a sip from the cup and passes it to the person on his right. “Share this with those who are part of the Lord’s body” he instructs.
The cup is passed from person to person. At one point, it runs dry.
“Brother Paul”, the man holding the goblet cries. “There is none left for the rest of us.”
Paul picks up the wineskin and refills the goblet. “There is ALWAYS enough for EVERYONE who is in the body of the Lord. His love NEVER runs dry. We sometimes need to refill our cups though, so that we can share with others.”
Smiles abound throughout the room and the goblet completes its journey and returns to Paul.
“I was not present in physical body when our Lord first passed the bread and cup, but I partake in remembrance of His actions every time I follow His command to remember that moment. His sacrifice; body, soul, and Spirit. Do the same with the body here and with your sister churches.”
Paul closes with a prayer. “Lord Jesus, thank You for giving Your body and blood to cleanse us from our sins. Thank You that we can partake in remembrance with You. Watch over Your body of believers. Knit them together with the churches You have allowed to be planted in this region. Strengthen them. Deepen their faith. Broaden their reach to those who are hurting. Use them in Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name we humbly ask.”
Paul and Barnabas leave for Iconium in the morning. Most of the believers turn out to wish them well. They wave one last time from a short distance down the road. The people return to their business, especially that of meeting together with other believers.
When Paul and Barnabas reach Iconium, the same sorts of reactions that greeted them in Lystra abound here. And the brothers are the first to greet them.
As this journey was but a single day, Paul and Barnabas are not nearly as tired. They still welcome a good meal and water to wash their feet. Paul has questions this time.
“I’m wondering how the opposition was for you after we left. Did the Jews still rise up against you?”
“Not so much in the beginning, but they are still a problem. They try and shout us down whenever we preach in the streets and poison others against us at every opportunity.”
“Has that stopped you from teaching” asks Paul.
“Not in the least! In fact, if fuels us. We remember how you dealt with dissention and try and model our response after you. We let the Holy Spirit speak whenever He chooses. They may argue with my reasoning, but they don’t stand a chance with His!”
“That is very true. But, even if they cannot win the argument, they may come after you with violence. ‘Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God’ (Acts 14:22). Stand firm in the faith. And lean on your sister churches in the area. Each place we visited have churches just like this one. Be there for one another. Strengthen each other in the faith. Share whatever you receive from the Lord or from us, as it is good for all the body to grow together.”
Paul and Barnabas spend a week helping to ensure all is well with the church. Those who participated in the stoning of Paul stay clear the whole time. They are afraid of him. And Paul again ends their visit by sharing in the remembrance of the Lord’s supper.
In Antioch Pisidia, Paul and Barnabas are excited to see how much the church has grown in their absence. Paul commends the believers for their work and gives them the same instructions as the previous churches.
“Do NOT grow weary in well doing. You will reap a reward for your efforts, as you are already seeing that. Build one another up. Endure persecution together, for it IS coming. The prince of this world will try and stop you. But Jesus has overcome the world. Lean into Him and let Him fight for you. Above all else, demonstrate your faith daily. Make it evident in the love you have for one another and for the lost. Let that love reach out and draw men unto you.”
After a week with the believers, Paul once again leaves them after sharing in the Lord’s supper with them. Hugs flow freely as the body prays for safe travels for the men who brought them the greatest gift ever given; Jesus’ work on their behalf.
As Paul and Barnabas begin the descent back down to the shore, Barnabas can’t help but comment on the difference.
“Going down is SO much easier than going up. We shouldn’t have to rest as often.”
“But it is more treacherous” offers Paul. “Going up, we easily saw where our next steps needed to land. Going down, we have to be careful not to move too fast. We have to stand against the forces that pull on us. If we move too fast, we will stumble and possibly won’t be able to stop.”
“Very true brother. Caution is critical.”
“This applies to our spiritual walk as well. Once we ‘reach the mountain top’ it is easy to relax and enjoy the experience. When we return to the daily experiences, it is easy to be pulled along by the daily cares. We have to resist giving in and letting them sweep us away. Standing firm in the faith means resisting the pull. NOT pretending it doesn’t exist. We have to function in this world; work, eat, drink, sleep, and rise. But that cannot be all that we focus on or we will be swept away from the works of faith. And THAT is when it becomes most dangerous!”
“Agreed, brother. So we will both resist the pull.”
When the two apostles reach level ground again, they are nearly exhausted.
“That was a LOT harder than I expected” comments Barnabas.
“But worth the effort, brother. Well worth it!”
There is one more church for Paul and Silas to visit before returning home; the believers in Perga. These believers know little of what went on in the region of Galatia. They are shocked to hear the stories of persecution.
“You should have seen the faces of the people when Paul walked right back into town, after being drug from the city center, presumed dead” Barnabas says while sharing the stories.
Eyes go wide and several of the people laugh, thinking of that moment.
“Did you say anything to them, brother Paul?”
“No. I did go back to the place where I had stood in the beginning. I looked at all the stones lying on the ground. And I THANKED GOD that I still lived.”
“Were you badly hurt, or did you trick them somehow?”
“I may well have been dead, or close to it. I came to myself as the brothers of Lystra wept over me. I guess that the Lord wasn’t finished with me yet.”
“And we are VERY grateful that He saw fit to return you to us!”
The apostles spend a week again with the people. They set the church in order, strengthen the believers, and remind them that they are part of a family.
“Lean on one another. Lean even on the believers in Galatia and Cyprus. They are here to share the burdens, the joys, and the training. We are all ONE body.”
After celebrating communion with the believers and blessing them once more in prayer, Paul and Barnabas make their way Attalia. This is where they set sail for home. Perga only offered passage back to Cyprus. Paul and Barnabas are ready to return to Antioch; their Antioch.
This voyage is much longer than the original two. It gives both apostles time to share with the crew and captain. By the time they reach Seleucia, nearly everyone on board their ship is a believer in Christ.
After bidding a fond farewell to the captain and crew, Paul and Barnabas set their sites on Antioch.
“It will be nice to be home” comments Barnabas.
“For a time anyway” offers Paul.
“What do you mean, brother?”
“I have a desire to return to the churches one day. Until the day the Lord calls me to head out again, I will be content to serve in our home body.”
The church in Antioch gives them a warm welcome home. And they spend the next month sharing the stories of their travels. The people rejoice over the victories, weep over those who have rejected Jesus, gasp at the story of Paul’s stoning, and laugh at the stories of the people’s faces when he stands before them again.
Paul and Barnabas are home now. But there is MUCH more work for both of them to come.
(to be continued)
One thing that surprised me as I read of Paul/Saul and Barnabas’ journey was discovering that when Paul writes to the Galatians, it is NOT a single church he is writing to. It is this whole group of churches that were planted on the upper plains. Perga and the churches on the island of Cyprus are the only ones not in that grouping that Paul addresses. I wonder if they too got to read the letters though.
I knew Paul’s letters were passed among the churches, I just never understood why until now. I figured that they all needed to have the same training.
It would be wonderful if our churches today had the ‘sisterhood’ that these early churches do. How they built each other up, supported one another, and shared teachings. Our world is so full of churches that stand alone. Granted, there are some that are organized into specific doctrines, but those who are ‘not of us’ are excluded from sharing in what is happening inside their ‘roll books’.
This brings a picture to my mind. That of a broken doll, with its joints all pulled apart. This is NO WAY for a body to LIVE.
Father God, help me reach out to those who are hurting. To those who long for a place to belong. To draw them back into the body, wherever that may be. Help them become ONE body. Jesus’ body. Reaching out to the lost and hurting world.
