The Open Door for the Gentiles

Acts 14:27-28

And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that 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.

Paul and Barnabas traveled to Iconium where they entered the Jewish Synagogue. As they preached the gospel, a great number of people believed including Jews and Gentiles. But the unbelieving Jews poisoned the minds of the people against Paul and Barnabas. Still they were able to continue speaking boldly, bearing witness of His grace, and performing signs and wonders with their hands. But just as the work of the Lord increased so did the division that the unbelieving Jews. They were privy to the plot to stone them.so they fled to Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding country.

At Lystra they healed a man who had been crippled from birth.When the people saw such things, they declared Paul and Barnabas to be gods calling Paul Hermes and Barnabas Zeus. The priest of Zeus brought garlands and oxen so that they might sacrifice with the people. But Paul immediately quelled that behavior. He called for them to leave these vain things and follow the living God, the God of creation. He pointed out the witnesses of God in nature, but the people were scarcely restrained. Then into the mix came unbelieving Jews from Antioch and Iconium who persuaded the people to stone Paul and Barnabas. After dragging them out of the city, they left them assuming they were dead. But when the disciples gathered round them, they got up and entered the city. The next day they went to Derbe.

After preaching in Derbe, they made many disciples, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations they must enter the kingdom of God.  They appointed elders and with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord. After this, they traveled to Perga and Attalia speaking the word. Finally they traveled back to Antioch, their starting place. Here they declared all that God had done and how He had opened a door faith to the Gentiles. 

The pattern had been established. Go to an area, preach the word, encounter persecution from the unbelieving, and disciple all those who did believe, and the return toy way of discipling, they strengthened them in the word so that they could withstand persecution. They encouraged them letting them know they were not alone. And they verified the fact that through tribulation they would enter the kingdom. The gospel to the Gentiles was spreading. The church was growing. They were fulfilling Acts 1:8.

Father,

Help me to speak boldly the gospel of Jesus. I confess many times I am afraid. Forgive me and give me Your grace.

In Jesus name,

Amen