1 - When they got to Iconium, as was their habit, they went to the synagogue and spoke the message. A good number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the leaders who didn’t believe the message, talked against them, stirring up many of the against them. 3 But they stayed a long time speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the truth by granting signs and wonders to be done through their hands. 4 But there was division among the town. Some sided with the leaders and some sided with the brothers (Paul and company). 5 But when a mob was developed of both Greeks and Hebrews/Jews intending to rush them, in order to mistreat and stone them, 6 they became aware of it and fled to the region of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe. 7 There they continued to proclaim the message. (The good news for all. And why are authorities so dead set against it?) 8 In Lystra there was a man who was crippled, who had never walked since the day he was born. 9 Paul saw that the man had been listening closely, and that he had faith to be healed. 10 So looking intently at him, he said in a loud voice, “Stand on your feet!” And the man sprang to his feet, and started walking. 11 But the crowd watching all this, started to say, “The gods have come down to us!” 12 They started calling Barnabas Zeus, and because he was the leading speaker, they called Paul Hermes. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought wreaths and bulls to the city gates, as he and the crowd intended to offer sacrifices to them. 14 But Paul and Barnabas tore their clothing and rushed out to the crowd saying, 15 “Why are you doing this!? We are but mere men like you yourselves! We are telling you the good news so you can turn from these vanities to the living Go! To the one who made the heavens and the Earth and everything in them! 16 And who in the past has allowed all nations and generations to go their own way, the way of these vanities, 17 but not without a witness to himself, by giving the rains and harvests, by filling you with fruits and your hesrts with gladness. 18 Yet they were barely able to stop the crowd from sacrificing to them. 19 However! Next thing you know, the leaders from Antioch and Iconium came and stirred up another mob and they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city. 20 The disciples gathered around him, and he got up and went back into the city, and the next day he and Barnabas went to Derbe. 21 They proclaimed the gospel (the Good News) to the city, discipled quite a few, and then they turned around and went back through Lystra, Iconium and Antioch. 22 Where they visited the disciples strengthening and encouraging them, saying,”Remain firm in the faith. It’s through many tribulations that we enter into the kingdom of God. 23 After choosing elders for the churches, and praying with fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they were believing. 24 Then passing through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 They spoke the word in Perga, then they went down to Attalia, 26 and sailed from there to Antioch from where they had begun and been sent out from with prayers and anointing. 27 Gathering the believers together, they told them all that had happened, and how God had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 Then they remained there for a while with the brothers and sisters.
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Very Brief Outline of Acts:
Jesus returns to where he was with the Father before his advent/visit (his brief first one).
The Holy Spirit/Presence of God is poured out on the believers who were in Jerusalem on the late Spring holy day of Pentecost. Peter speaks, there are 3000 new believers that day.
The good news message spreads, Peter is invited and goes to a Roman’s house and all believe. The first record of non Hebrew believers (besides likely some on Pentecost).
Persecution breaks out.. jail. stoning. Pharisee Saul leads the persecution, but on his way to Damascus with papers for arrests, Jesus makes himself seen but is so bright Paul falls to the ground and is blinded. After two days he is healed and is a believer, and soon is called Paul. He wrote many (to most) of the New Testament letters, but spent a few years (it seems to me) exclusively listening to the Lord. He established many ‘churches’ in what’s called three missionary journeys, and met and worked with Mark and Luke, and quite a few others. (Luke wrote this Book of Acts.) His fourth journey is to Rome to trial as a prisoner. There’s a shipwreck on the way.. He wrote many of his letters while in prison and under ‘house’ arrest.
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