Tribulation

Acts 14:27-28

And when they had arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all the God had done with them, and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. And they remained no little time with the disciples.

 

  Problem #1-Opposition and attempted stoning

The early church was full of fervor, preaching and teaching and adding many to the church on a daily basis. Not only that but the gospel was spreading to other cities, and many signs and wonders were done. Even though all this sounds good, there was still opposition. In Iconium, Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly for the Lord granting signs and wonders. But all that they said and did was not well received. Unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds dividing the city. Their discord went so far that an attempt was made by both Jews and Gentiles to stone them, but they fled.

 



Problem #2-Mistaken for false gods

 





At Lystra, Paul was preaching again when he saw a man crippled from birth. Seeing that the man had faith, he told him to rise up and walk. And he did! The people there thought they must be gods to the degree that the priest of Zeus brought oxen and garlands to offer sacrifices. Paul and Barnabas ran into the crowd tearing their garments and questioning the crowd, and declaring emphatically that they were men just like them! He asked them to turn from these vain things to the living God.

 

 

Problem #3-Actual stoning

 

The Jews from Antioch and Iconium followed them to Lystra and persuaded the crowd into stoning Paul. Perceiving him to be dead, they dragged him out of the city. But when the disciples gathered round him, he got up and walked into the city. What a shocker!

 

Strengthening and Encouraging

 

The next day he went to Derbe and made disciples there. Then he returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith and saying that through many tribulations they must enter the kingdom of God. In today's culture, if difficulty arises, we assume that God is not leading in that venue. In our minds we equate success with lack of problems. But clearly, that is not how God works! Paul preached to many who became disciples, yet in the midst of this great movement of the Spirit, came intense persecution even to the point of stoning. The church flourished in the face of this persecution. Tribulation was a vital part of their faith.

 

After passing through the cities of Pisidia, Pamphylia, Perga, and Attalia, they went back to Antioch, the scene of much blessing but of very real persecution. The church gathered together declaring all that God had done especially how He had opened a door of faith for the Gentiles. What a praise! How mightily God had worked! Were the disciples at all diminished in their fervor because of the persecution? No, not in any way. They knew that to this they had been called, because Christ also suffered for them, leaving them an example, so that they might follow in His steps. Believers must follow their Savior, accept His call, and share His gospel even in the face of persecution and tribulation!

 

Father,

Strengthen me to speak boldly for you without fear of reprisal. Give me Your grace to share the gospel.

In Jesus name,

Amen