Act 14:1 ¶ And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and spoke in such a way, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.

Act 14:2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

Act 14:3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the Word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. COMMENT: Paul and Barnabus suffered no loss in the confidence of their faith, but spoke boldly in the Lord whose grace was manifest in not sending his servants away and in granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands as proofs of the authenticity of the gospel of peace the preached and lived.

Act 14:4 But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

Act 14:5 And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use [them] despitefully, and to stone them, COMMENT: Perhaps the stoning of Stephen encouraged the Jews there to justify stoning Paul and Barnabus.

Act 14:6 They were aware of [it], and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lies round about:

Act 14:7 And there they preached the gospel.

Act 14:8 ¶ And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: COMMENT: So the cripple's legs would have been like sticks never having been used.

Act 14:9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, "Stand upright on your feet." And he leaped and walked. COMMENT: We find the Lord's anointed again fixing his eyes stedfastly upon the person so he could see through the eye of Christ, for "WHEN THE EYE IS SINGLE THE WHOLE BODY IS FULL OF LIGHT." Likewise, when you read of an anointed man of God speakin in "A LOUD VOICE" that is Christ in them whose voice shakes the wilderness. Some men are naturally loud so it is necessary to compare the volume of their voice before and after they enter into the anointing, if you are looking for evidence of Christ speaking in them. Saint Paul wrote: "SINCE YOU SEEK A PROOF OF CHRIST SPEAKING IN ME, WHICH TO YOU-WARD IS NOT WEAK, ..." 2 Corinthians 13:3 But the churches in America no longer look for proof of Christ speaking in anyone, for they all use amplification devices so they cannot discern if it is the amplification device or the speaker who is loud.

Now in regard to the creative healing miracle the Lord worked through Saint Paul with the same power he worked through Saint Peter in Jerusalem, and by this means Jesus sent a subliminal message to the Apostles that Paul was now functioning in the power of Spirit on the same level as the best of them.

Act 14:11/12 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.

Act 14:13/14 Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. [Which] when the Apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard [of], they tore their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, COMMENT: Isn't it interesting how the cult religions had adopted practices similar to those of the Israelites with the sacrifice of animals. The ancient practice of tearing their clothes when something terribly unholy was taking place, the two apostles Paul ande Barnabas did and ran in among the people crying out; so they got their attention right away.

Act 14:15 And saying, "Sirs, why do you these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that you should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:" COMMENT: Even in crying out to the people to stop them from offering a sacrifice unto them; Paul and Barnabus preached the gospel of repentance. And they continued saying,...

Act 14:16 "Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways." COMMENT: God permitted all nations to walk in their own ways in Old Testament times but now the New Testament gospel has been made known to all the world.

Act 14:17 "Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness."

Act 14:18 And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.

Act 14:19 ¶ And there came thither [certain] Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew [him] out of the city, supposing he had been dead. COMMENT: Here we have a picture of how fickle people are in this world. Paul and Barnabus worked a wonderful miracle free of charge healing one of their own in Lystra, and for this alone the population should have honored them irregardless of accusations the Jews from antioch and Iconium came to make about them. Secondly, they were ready to sacrifice unto Paul and Barnabus as though they were gods, and the two holy men persuaded them to cease; but barely; so convinced were they that the two men were gods. Yet they turned completely against their benefactors and left Paul outside of the city after being stoned, supposing he was dead.

Act 14:20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. COMMENT: The Scripture is silent, however the inference strongly suggests Paul was raised from the dead while the disciples stood around about him. We do not know if it was by their prayers the Lord worked or if it was to strengthen their faith; but we do know the Lord worked a miracle.

Act 14:21 ¶ And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and [to] Iconium, and Antioch, COMMENT: Here we see the courageousness of anointed men of God. Paul and Barnabus returned to Iconium and Antioch from where the Jews had come from, to Lystra where they brought about the stoning of Paul.

Act 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, [and] exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. COMMENT: Life is a continuing physical and spiritual warfare even in times of peace, and to enter into the kingdom of God anointing which is within you go through MUCH TRIBULATION. There was no better time to preach such a message after rising from what appeared to be a violent death.

Act 14:23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. COMMENT: By ordaining elders in every church, the two Apostles made sure of their leadership in those churches. This was the wisdom of God to insure good order in the holy revolution taking place in those days, for Paul and Barnabus couldn't so easily dismiss those they had not appointed; but those they had appointed, they could expect to dismiss or promote as the Lord showed led them.

Act 14:24 And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. COMMENT: Look for Perga on the map at the bottom of Chapter thirteen.

Act 14:25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: COMMENT:

Act 14:26 And from there sailed to Antioch, from where they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. COMMENT: Antioch is where THE FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY began by the grace of God who sent them. and it is considered "fulfilled." So we can say THE FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY is complete.

Act 14:27/28 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. And there they abode (a) long time with the disciples. COMMENT: It was time for a much needed rest from the life and death struggle of spiritual warfare that took place during THE FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY, but the missionary journey of the Apostles Paul and Barnabus has been belittled down through the centuries by those who go into all the world in the name of Christ in their own strength calling themselves missionaries. Let us be wise to make a difference between MISSIONARIES and missionaries. MISSIONARIES OF THE SPIRIT and missionaries of the flesh.