Archive for month: April, 2022

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Acts 14:13-28.  Let’s go!

Acts 14:13-17 (NIV)
13  The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.
14  But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting:
15  “Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them.
16  In the past, he let all nations go their own way.
17  Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”

On verse 17:  When the people of Lystra try to sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas thinking that they are reincarnations of their gods Hermes and Zeus, Paul and Barnabas tear their clothes to emphasize their humanity and urge them not to worship people but the living God whom they cannot see.  To persuade the crowd about God’s kindness and goodness to them, Paul and Barnabas point to evidence such as the rains that come, the crops they harvest, the food they eat and the joy that they have.

Hi GAMErs! 

Today’s passage is Acts 14:1-12.  Let’s go!

Acts 14:1-7 (NIV)
1  At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed.
2  But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.
3  So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders.
4  The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles.
5  There was a plot afoot among the Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them.
6  But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country,
7  where they continued to preach the good news.
 
On verses 1-7:  Paul and Barnabas travel to Iconium, the capital of ancient Lycaonia, about 90 miles southeast of Antioch.  There, they preach in the synagogue and the people are responding, both positively and negatively.  On one hand, a great number of Jews and Gentiles are coming to faith in Jesus.  On the other hand, some oppose Paul and Barnabas by trying to lure new converts away.  Not wanting their gospel message to be misunderstood, Paul and Barnabas spend considerable time in Iconium, defending the gospel, while God would enable them to do miraculous signs and wonders to confirm the validity of their message.  Eventually some Gentiles and Jews begin plotting Paul and Barnabas’ death.  Once Paul and Barnabas hear about the death plots against their lives, they flee to Lystra, Derbe and the surrounding country and continue to preach about Jesus.
 

Hi GAMErs! 

Today’s passage is Acts 13:42-52.  Let’s go!

Acts 13:42-49 (NIV)
42  As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath.
43  When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.
44  On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
45  When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying.
46  Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.
47  For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'”
48  When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.
49  The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.

On verses 42-49:  Still in Pisidian Antioch, Paul and Barnabas are invited to come back and speak at the synagogue there.  Practically the entire city shows up the next week to hear Paul and Barnabas preach.  Jealous of all the attention Paul and Barnabas are getting, the Jewish leaders slander Paul and try to oppose the arguments he is making.