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kingdom among those who had been neglected by the teachers in Israel。
Constantly he exalted Christ Jesus as 〃the King of kings； and Lord of lords〃
（1 Timothy 6：15）； and exhorted the believers to be 〃rooted and built up in
Him； and stablished in the faith。〃 Colossians 2：7。
To those who believe； Christ is a sure foundation。 Upon this living stone；
Jews and Gentiles alike may build。 It is broad enough for all and strong
enough to sustain the weight and burden of the whole world。 This is a fact
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plainly recognized by Paul himself。 In the closing days of his ministry；
when addressing a group of Gentile believers who had remained steadfast in
their love of the gospel truth； the apostle wrote； 〃Ye 。 。 。are built upon
the foundation of the apostles and prophets； Jesus Christ Himself being the
chief cornerstone。〃 Ephesians 2：19； 20。
As the gospel message spread in Pisidia； the unbelieving Jews of Antioch in
their blind prejudice 〃stirred up the devout and honorable women； and the
chief men of the city； and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas； and
expelled them〃 from that district。
The apostles were not discouraged by this treatment； they remembered the
words of their Master： 〃Blessed are ye； when men shall revile you； and
persecute you； and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely； for My
sake。 Rejoice； and be exceeding glad： for great is your reward in heaven：
for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you。〃 Matthew 5：11；
12。
The gospel message was advancing； and the apostles had every reason for
feeling encouraged。 Their labors had been richly blessed among the Pisidians
at Antioch； and the believers whom they left to carry forward the work alone
for a time； 〃were filled with joy； and with the Holy Ghost。〃
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Chapter 18
Preaching Among the Heathen
From Antioch in Pisidia； Paul and Barnabas went to Iconium。 In this place；
as at Antioch； they began their labors in the synagogue of their own people。
They met with marked success； 〃a great multitude both of the Jews and also
of the Greeks believed。〃 But in Iconium； as in other places where the
apostles labored； 〃the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles； and made
their minds evil affected against the brethren。〃
The apostles； however； were not turned aside from their mission； for many
were accepting the gospel of Christ。 In the face of opposition； envy； and
prejudice they went on with their work； 〃speaking boldly in the Lord；〃 and
God 〃gave testimony unto the word of His grace； and granted signs and
wonders to be done by their hands。〃 These evidences of divine approval had a
powerful influence on those whose minds were open to conviction； and
converts to the gospel multiplied。
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The increasing popularity of the message borne by the apostles； filled the
unbelieving Jews with envy and hatred； and they determined to stop the
labors of Paul and Barnabas at once。 By means of false and exaggerated
reports they led the authorities to fear that the entire city was in danger
of being incited to insurrection。 They declared that large numbers were
attaching themselves to the apostles and suggested that it was for secret
and dangerous designs。
In consequence of these charges the disciples were repeatedly brought before
the authorities； but their defense was so clear and sensible； and their
statement of what they were teaching so calm and comprehensive； that a
strong influence was exerted in their favor。 Although the magistrates were
prejudiced against them by the false statements they had heard； they dared
not condemn them。 They could but acknowledge that the teachings of Paul and
Barnabas tended to make men virtuous； law…abiding citizens； and that the
morals and order of the city would improve if the truths taught by the
apostles were accepted。
Through the opposition that the disciples met； the message of truth gained
great publicity； the Jews saw that their efforts to thwart the work of the
new teachers resulted only in adding greater numbers to the new faith。 〃The
multitude of the city was divided： and part held with the Jews； and part
with the apostles。〃
So enraged were the leaders among the Jews by the turn that matters were
taking； that they determined to gain their ends by violence。 Arousing the
worst passions of the
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ignorant； noisy mob； they succeeded in creating a tumult； which they
attributed to the teaching of the disciples。 By this false charge they hoped
to gain the help of the magistrates in carrying out their purpose。 They
determined that the apostles should have no opportunity to vindicate
themselves and that the mob should interfere by stoning Paul and Barnabas；
thus putting an end to their labors。
Friends of the apostles； though unbelievers； warned them of the malicious
designs of the Jews and urged them not to expose themselves needlessly to
the fury of the mob； but to escape for their lives。 Paul and Barnabas
accordingly departed in secret from Iconium； leaving the believers to carry
on the work alone for a time。 But they by no means took final leave； they
purposed to return after the excitement had abated； and complete the work
begun。
In every age and in every land； God's messengers have been called upon to
meet bitter opposition from those who deliberately chose to reject the light
of heaven。 Often； by misrepresentation and falsehood； the enemies of the
gospel have seemingly triumphed； closing the doors by which God's messengers
might gain access to the people。 But these doors cannot remain forever
closed； and often； as God's servants have returned after a time to resume
their labors； the Lord has wrought mightily in their behalf； enabling them
to establish memorials to the glory of His name。
Driven by persecution from Iconium； the apostles went to Lystra and Derbe；
in Lycaonia。 These towns were inhabited largely by a heathen； superstitious
people； but among
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them were some who were willing to hear and accept the gospel message。 In
these places and in the surrounding country the apostles decided to labor；
hoping to avoid Jewish prejudice and persecution。
In Lystra there was no Jewish synagogue； though a few Jews were living in
the town。 Many of the inhabitants of Lystra worshiped at a temple dedicated
to Jupiter。 When Paul and Barnabas appeared in the town and； gathering the
Lystrians about them； explained the simple truths of the gospel； many sought
to connect these doctrines with their own superstitious belief in the
worship of Jupiter。
The apostles endeavored to impart to these idolaters a knowledge of God the
Creator and of His Son； the Saviour of the human race。 They first directed
attention to the wonderful works of Godthe sun； the moon； and the stars；
the beautiful order of the recurring seasons； the mighty snow…capped
mountains； the lofty trees； and other varied wonders of nature； which showed
a skill beyond human comprehension。 Through these works of the Almighty； the
apostles led the minds of the heathen to a contemplation of the great Ruler
of the universe。
Having made plain these fundamental truths concerning the Creator； the
apostles told the Lystrians of the Son of God； who came from heaven to our
world because He loved the children of men。 They spoke of His life and
ministry； His rejection by those He came to save； His trial and crucifixion；
His resurrection； and His ascension to heaven； there to act as man's
advocate。 Thus； in the Spirit
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and power of God； Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel in Lystra。
At one time； while Paul was telling the people of Christ's work as a healer
of the sick and afflicted； he saw among his hearers a cripple whose eyes
were fastened on him and who received and believed his words。 Paul's heart
went out in sympathy toward the afflicted man； in whom he discerned one who
〃had faith to be healed。〃 In the presence of the idolatrous assembly Paul
commanded the cripple to stand upright on his feet。 Heretofore the sufferer
had been able to take a sitting posture only； but now he instantly obeyed
Paul's command and for the first time in his life stood on his feet。
Strength came with this effort of faith； and he who had been a cripple
〃leaped and walked。〃
〃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 statement was in harmony with a tradition of theirs that the gods
occasionally visited the earth。 Barnabas they called Jupiter； the father of
gods； because of his venerable appearance； his dignified bearing； and the
mildness and benevolence expressed in his countenance。 Paul they believe to
be Mercury； 〃because he was the chief speaker；〃 earnest and active； and
eloquent with words of warning and exhortation。
The Lystrians； eager to show their gratitude； prevailed upon the priest of
Jupiter to do the apostles honor； and he 〃br