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Scriptural Text [& Editorial]
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Commentary & Explanation
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Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
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CHAPTER 14
Persecution attends spread of gospel—Paul heals a cripple; he and
Barnabas hailed as gods—Paul stoned, revived, preaches—Elders
ordained.
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Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe
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1 AND it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.
2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.
3 Long time therefore abode they speaking
boldly in the Lord, which gave atestimony unto the word of
his bgrace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by
their hands.
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4 But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
5 And when there was an assault made both of
the Gentiles, and also of the aJews with their rulers, to
use them despitefully, and to stone them,
6 They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:
7 And there they preached the gospel.
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8 ¶ And there sat a certain man at Lystra,
impotent in his feet, being a acripple from his mother's
womb, who never had walked:
9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly
beholding him, and perceiving that he had afaith to be
bhealed,
10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.
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11 And when the people saw what Paul had done,
they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The
agods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
12 And they called Barnabas,
aJupiter; and Paul, bMercurius, because
he was the chief speaker.
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13 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.
14 Which when the
aapostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent
their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things?
We also are amen of like bpassions with
you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these
cvanities unto the living God, which
dmade heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that
are therein:
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16 Who in times past suffered all nations to
awalk in their own bways.
17 Nevertheless he left not himself without
awitness, in that he did good, and gave us
brain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts
with cfood and gladness.
18 And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.
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19 ¶ And there came thither
certain Jews from Antioch and
Iconiuma, who persuaded the people,
and, having astoned Paul, drew him out of the city,
supposing he had been dead.
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.
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19a certain Jews from Antioch and
Iconium Now these 'certain' Jews we must presume at those in
Jewish law authority of the local 'Sanhedrin' or elders of judgment of that
region. Thus they did upon some pretext take Paul, accuse him and sentence
him to be stoned according to their skewed aministered Law of Moses. It is of
interest that in their preaching Paul and Barnabas by the power of the spirit
were causing 'great multitudes' of both Jews and Gentiles to belief.
This would mean a division of the various 'local Jews' of each community. It
is those nonbelieving Jews who took issue with Paul, the higher official who
saw in Paul's teahing a coming end to their 'Law of Moses' judgment leadership
over the people. Thus they came from both Antioch and Iconium to accuse Paul
and to seek to put him to death by the Jewish punishment of stoning. Which
they did. Now Paul was dead but he was raised by such members of his troop
who did minister unto him.
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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,
22 Confirming the souls of the disciples,
and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through
much atribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
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23 And when they had
aordained them belders in every church,
and had prayed with cfasting, they commended them to the
Lord, on whom they believed.
24 And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.
25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:
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26 And thence sailed to
aAntioch, from whence they had been recommended to the
grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.
27 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 adoor of faith unto the Gentiles.
28 And there they abode long time with the disciples.
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