The studies are going fast, Acts 14 and verse 1 reads.
Acts 14:1] 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.
Christianity is booming.
Acts 14:2] But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.
Satan has been fighting this battle from the beginning.
Acts 14:3] Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
The apostles are performing miracles everywhere they go, in the name of Jesus Christ.
Acts 14:4] 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 Jews 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:
This is what we are seeing today, when we do good then the Kenites come out and persecute us, just like with these apostles.
Acts 14:7] And there they preached the gospel.
To preach the gospel, this is what they are being persecuted for.
Acts 14:8] And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked:
[9] The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
[10] Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.
[11] And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
This is not going to go well, first of all it is not Paul that healed him, but Jesus Christ. The true believers know this. But when you have many people of different ways these things tend to happen. Paul will correct this.
Acts 14:12] And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
That would be Pagan gods.
Acts 14:13] 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 apostles, 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 men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
[16] Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.
The LORD chose the seed of Adam as his people. He would come through that seed and bring salvation to the world. Paul trying to let them know that he was just a man like them, showing them that God was the one that healed the crippled man.
Acts 14:17] Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.
God blesses all on earth with his blessings concerning weather and crops.
Acts 14:18] And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.
They were having trouble convincing them.
Acts 14:19] And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.
They stone Paul. Paul would talk about this in 2Cor.12:1-5. Let’s go there and read.
2Cor.12:1] It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
[2] I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
He is saying this in the third person, but what he said was I didn’t know if I was in the flesh or in the spirit. But don’t overlook that he was in the third heaven. There are only three ages, we studied this in Gen.1.
2Cor.12:3] And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
[4] How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
Not lawful for him to speak of what he saw because we are not to know yet.
2Cor.12:5] Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
God can prevent one from dying if the Lord is using him. The Kenites then and now. President Trump anyone? Back to Acts and verse20 reads.
Acts 14:20] 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.
Rises back up and finds Barnabas, the two of them will go and preach the gospel in a round about circuit.
Acts 14:21] 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 tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
[23] And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
Now we have them ordaining elders to continue the works of the Lord in these churches that they helped set up. You better believe that they were instructed to teach the Word of God.
Acts 14:24] 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:
[26] And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.
This would complete the circuit, back from where they started.
Acts 14:27] 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 door of faith unto the Gentiles.
Bringing in the gentiles was one of three fold ministries that God had given to Paul.
Acts 14:28] And there they abode long time with the disciples.
A very good study today, but let’s recap. When they stoned Peter his spirit left his body, and went to the third heaven. There he received instructions of the LORD. And of course he couldn’t talk about it, for it was unlawful. This is why it was so important for us to understand Genesis chapter 1, we have three heaven and earth ages. Ages are “Ions”, meaning time. we are now in the second earth and heaven age “Ion” or “Time”. this also proves that fact, let no man deceive you today. Jesus is coming at the Second Advent, and it is near. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible