Acts Chapter 14

Acts 14

P(s)aul and Barnabas, Preaching at Iconium (Asia minor) 

1 Moreover, they happened to be in Iconium (Asia minor), and according to them, they entered into the synagogue of the Jews, and preach likewise, in so much that, multitude of the Jews and many Hellenists (Greeks), have Faith/believe.

2 but the unbelieving Jews stirred up and contaminated the souls of the non-Jewish men against the brethren.

3 Therefore, the competent ones indeed tarry for a space of time, (as) they speak boldly, testifying upon the Lord, even upon the words of His Grace, Who happens to grant signs and wonders through their hands; 

4 however, the multitude of the city splited; some are indeed together with the Jews, and some together with the Apostles.

5 so, as it becomes an impulse/drive for the non-Jewish races who were together with the Jews and their Rulers to exercise violence/abuse and stone them;

6 they realized together/became conscious of it, and flee down to Lystra and Derbe in Lycaonia, and cities of surrounding regions (in Asia minor)

7 and there, likewise, they preached the good-message.

Paul and Barnabas, Preaching at the City of Lystra; healing a lame man 

8 And a certain man sit-down in Lystra, who has never at any time walked, being lame from his mother's womb and weak on his feet.

9 This man heard Paul preaching, to whom the same (Paul) gazed intently, and discern that he has Faith to be SAVED (sozo).

10 the mega part is the voice that says, stand upright on your feet! And he jumped up and walked around. 

11 and the people who saw what Paul has done, raise up their voice in Lycaonian language saying, the gods have become like men, and descend towards us.

12 they call forth BarNabas to be Zeus (Jupiter), and Paul, Hermes (mercury), since he leads/directs (with authority) by words.

13 and the priests of Zeus (greek supreme god of the sky), together with the people are in front of the city, carrying crown upon oxen to the gate, and want to sacrifice it. 

14 but, Apostle Barnabas and Paul heard and tore their garments, and rush unto the crowd, screaming,

15 saying, fellow-men, why are you doing this? Even, we are human-beings experiencing-similar things like you, and proclaiming good news to you, to return from these profitless things to the Living God, who created the heaven and the earth, and the sea, and all things in them.

16 so, we are traveling to the heathen-nations, who were let alone in their ways and all their generations have passed by/gone by.

17 they were left, because there was no witness like us. Although, having not done good things; you are given rain from the sky for your times of fruit-bearing and (you are) satisfied with nourishment and gladness of heart.

18 And, having said these things, it was with difficulty for the crowd to settle down, from not sacrificing to them.

Paul woke up from death after being stoned and traveled to Derbe (a city in Lyconia - 2Cor 11:25) 

19 Moreover, the Jews from Antioch and Iconium supervene and persuaded the crowd, and stone Paul, and drag him outside the city, supposing he has died.

20 but (as) the disciples surrounded him, he stands up, and enters into the city. And upon the morning of the next day, he proceeds forth with Barnabas unto Derbe.

The next Apostolic strategic move: Paul raises other capable men to have oversight on those established churches

21 And, he proclaims the gospel to that city, and teaches/make students of competent ones, who return back unto Lystra, and unto Iconium, and unto Antioch,

22 to further strengthen/support the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in Faith, and that, through much afflictions, we MUST enter into the kingdom of God.

23 so, He elected Elders for them with respect to the churches, and make prayer with fasting, to commit (paratithemi), those who have Faith unto the Lord to them.

Paul and Barnabas, in Antioch; a place to fully complete the work

24 And having passed through Pisidia, they come towards Pamphilia (city of all tribes) 

25 so, they preached the word in Perga, and went down to Attalia (in Pamphilia);

26 and from there, they set sail to Antioch, from where they will be fulfilling/completing the works, which they surrendered unto, by the grace of God.

27 So, having arrived (Antioch), they assemble the Church together, and they reported as much that God has done amid heathen nations, because God has opened up the door of Faith to them.

28 so, they did tarry together with the disciples, not for a little space of time.