PAUL AT LYSTRA by J. O. Corliss

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · May 21, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 21.

PAUL AT LYSTRA.

By J. O. Corliss

[See Acts 14 and Sunday-school Lesson.]

HAVING been driven away from Antioch, Paul and Barnabas passed on to Iconium, a little to the southeast. Filled with joy and the Holy Ghost, they entered upon their work after the same manner as at Antioch, namely, by speaking in the Jewish synagogue. Here, as at Antioch, multitudes believed the message, but apparently a larger proportion of these were Jews than at the former place. It was not long, however, before the unbelieving Jews found means of stirring up hatred among the Gentiles against the evangelists. This, of course, divided the sentiment of the city, causing much contention among the people themselves. Having their own differences to attend to, they could not unite to drive out the brethren, and so they were privileged to remain there a long time, proclaiming the Word, which was attested by many miracles performed by their hands. Acts 14:1-3.

But as often happens, time helped to heal the animosities engendered between the people, and there came to be union of sentiment enough to attempt the expulsion of the evangelists. So forming a mob, the people of both classes, together with the rulers, prepared to stone them. But the brethren, hearing of the movement, fled from the place and went to Lystra a city of Lycaonia. Here, and in the country round about, they entered upon their work. At one of the meetings where Paul was speaking, he noticed a man with deformed feet, who had been thus from his birth, and had never walked. Paul looked steadily and earnestly at the man until he decided that he had faith enough to be healed on the spot. When satisfied on this point, he waited for no conventionalities, but stopped short in his discourse, and said loudly to the man, “Stand upright on thy feet.” Verse 10.

The result proved that Paul was not lacking in spiritual discernment, and that he had been prompted in his action by the Spirit of God. Immediately the man addressed jumped up and began walking about. This, of course, so astonished the crowd that they could not refrain from expressing themselves vigorously in their native language. All together they cried out, The gods have made themselves like men, and come down to us. Verse 11.

Worshiped as Gods.

With this state of feeling, it did not take long to decide which of their numerous gods had appeared among them. Barnabas was called Jupiter (the chief Greek and Roman deity), and Paul, because he did most of the preaching, was named Mercurius (their great patron of eloquence and trade). No sooner was the supposed identity of the strangers settled than another step was determined. The priest of Jupiter, from beyond the walls, brought oxen and wreaths to the gates of the city, and the people began to prepare to offer sacrifices to the apostles, as to their gods. Verses 12, 13.

At first the brethren apparently did not understand the demonstration; but upon hearing what it meant, they tore their clothes as if in great excitement of distress, and rushed into the crowd crying aloud: “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.” Verses 14, 15.

At this the people waited a moment with expectancy, which gave the evangelists time to add another sentence or two showing the goodness and mercy of that infinite Creator whom they had set forth in the few words before. He it was, they said, who in bygone times had permitted all the heathen to go their own ways, yet had not omitted to give, in His kindly acts, evidence about Himself, sending rain from heaven, and harvest to satisfy the desire for food and good cheer. Verses 16, 17.

Fickleness of False Worship.

But even with this appeal they could hardly prevent the people from offering sacrifice to them. This was, however, done, and the people settled down in comparative quiet to listen further to the apostles. But even this proved to be but the temporary calm which precedes a violent tempest; for very soon afterward there came some Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who, after in some way winning over the people, stoned Paul, and dragged him out of town, thinking him to be dead. But when the believers gathered around him, he arose and went back into the town. Verses 19, 20.

This experience did not in any way discourage the intrepid Paul, altho he knew that for a time his work was done in Lystra. But the next day, in company with Barnabas, he went on to Derbe, where they remained sometime, and then returned to Lystra, Iconium, and, Antioch, confirming the souls of believers in each place, and exhorting them to be faithful even tho called to pass through tribulation to reach the kingdom of God.

The heralds of the cross in those days knew in whom they believed. Neither did they count their lives dear if they could but win souls for Christ. Would that more had the same mind now. Were this the case, the leaven of their enthusiasm would soon permeate all believers, and the world would soon be prepared for the return of the Master.

J. O. CORLISS.