BRUCE C WEARNE looks at what Acts 14 says about Paul and Barnabas’ visit to Lystra…
Lystra’s story involves a man who could not use his feet; a cripple from birth, who had never walked, sitting there listening to Paul. Paul, having examined him closely, saw that he had faith to be made well, and loudly said, “Stand up; get to your feet!” [That was when] the man sprang to his feet and walked. And the crowds seeing what Paul had done, lifted up their voices, in Lycaonian, “The gods having taken on the likeness of men have come down to us!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, because he was the chief speaker, they called Hermes. And then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the front of the city, brought oxen and garlands to the city gates wanting to offer sacrifice [then and there] with all the people. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out among the multitude, crying, “Men, why are you doing this? We also are men, of like nature with you, and bring you Good News, that you should turn away from these vain things to the living God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is to be found in them. In past generations He has allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways; yet He did not leave Himself without witness, for He did good and gives you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” With these words they were scarcely able to restrain the people from offering them sacrifices. – Acts 14:8-18/transliteration by Bruce C Wearne
MISTAKEN IDENTITY: The Lycaonians thought Barnabas was the Greek god Zeus (pictured) and Paul, Hermes, perceptions with the apostles attempted to correct. PICTURE: Frank O’Connor/www.freeimages.com
IN A NUTSHELL
Paul healed a cripple and the city of Lystra responded. Paul and Barnabas were worried. They had to think quickly and make sure their message was not misunderstood. They were not divine messengers, but how could they explain that?
Paul, like Peter, was involved in healing. The apostles carried on the healing work begun by Jesus. Jesus healed from the outset of His ministry in Galilee. And even His arrest in Gethsemane didn’t stop Him doing what had to be done. Now such healing work continued in Lystra.
Luke doesn’t tell us if there was a synagogue there. But it seems not. After the healing, the city was in uproar. The locals were worshippers of ancient Greek gods. They did not worship the God of Israel, and though impressed by Paul and Barnabas, they did not have much understanding of Jewish beliefs. Paul, they said, must be Hermes, the spokesman for the gods; Barnabas was Zeus. Maybe this occurred during a festival. If so, the healing took on a local significance they did not anticipate. Their reception there was out of their control.
But upon seeing worship offered to themselves, Paul and Barnabas “tore their clothes”. At the trial of Jesus the High Priest had torn his robes, declaring Jesus guilty of blasphemy. It symbolised deep offence. Paul and Barnabas would know what they intended by this act but do you think the Lystran people, and the priest of Zeus, understood. Think about it? What would people think if they had begun to “tear out their hair”? Paul was exposed. Despite the healing all he could do was say something like, “Hey stop being so stupid!” He was on the back foot.
Then he tried to tell them what the Almighty expects of us humans. Look at what he said. He told the crowd they had good news for them. Then he said that their worship is vain! Games and trifles! Give them up, he says. Turn instead to the living God, the One who made the heavens, the earth and the sea. God made the domain of human endeavour, where we live, work, fish, travel, and worship. This God, says Paul, allowed you and your ancestors to take off on your own paths even though He did make Himself known and He gives you your daily food. Oxen and flowers also belong to Him. Paul did not make much headway even though what he told them about the Biblical teaching of creation, and our human place in it, is liberating.
OPEN BOOK – HINTS FROM THE SPIRIT OF HOLINESS: WHAT HAPPENED AT LYSTRA
BRUCE C WEARNE looks at what Acts 14 says about Paul and Barnabas’ visit to Lystra…
Lystra’s story involves a man who could not use his feet; a cripple from birth, who had never walked, sitting there listening to Paul. Paul, having examined him closely, saw that he had faith to be made well, and loudly said, “Stand up; get to your feet!” [That was when] the man sprang to his feet and walked. And the crowds seeing what Paul had done, lifted up their voices, in Lycaonian, “The gods having taken on the likeness of men have come down to us!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, because he was the chief speaker, they called Hermes. And then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the front of the city, brought oxen and garlands to the city gates wanting to offer sacrifice [then and there] with all the people. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out among the multitude, crying, “Men, why are you doing this? We also are men, of like nature with you, and bring you Good News, that you should turn away from these vain things to the living God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is to be found in them. In past generations He has allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways; yet He did not leave Himself without witness, for He did good and gives you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” With these words they were scarcely able to restrain the people from offering them sacrifices. – Acts 14:8-18/transliteration by Bruce C Wearne
MISTAKEN IDENTITY: The Lycaonians thought Barnabas was the Greek god Zeus (pictured) and Paul, Hermes, perceptions with the apostles attempted to correct. PICTURE: Frank O’Connor/www.freeimages.com
IN A NUTSHELL
Paul healed a cripple and the city of Lystra responded. Paul and Barnabas were worried. They had to think quickly and make sure their message was not misunderstood. They were not divine messengers, but how could they explain that?
Paul, like Peter, was involved in healing. The apostles carried on the healing work begun by Jesus. Jesus healed from the outset of His ministry in Galilee. And even His arrest in Gethsemane didn’t stop Him doing what had to be done. Now such healing work continued in Lystra.
Luke doesn’t tell us if there was a synagogue there. But it seems not. After the healing, the city was in uproar. The locals were worshippers of ancient Greek gods. They did not worship the God of Israel, and though impressed by Paul and Barnabas, they did not have much understanding of Jewish beliefs. Paul, they said, must be Hermes, the spokesman for the gods; Barnabas was Zeus. Maybe this occurred during a festival. If so, the healing took on a local significance they did not anticipate. Their reception there was out of their control.
But upon seeing worship offered to themselves, Paul and Barnabas “tore their clothes”. At the trial of Jesus the High Priest had torn his robes, declaring Jesus guilty of blasphemy. It symbolised deep offence. Paul and Barnabas would know what they intended by this act but do you think the Lystran people, and the priest of Zeus, understood. Think about it? What would people think if they had begun to “tear out their hair”? Paul was exposed. Despite the healing all he could do was say something like, “Hey stop being so stupid!” He was on the back foot.
Then he tried to tell them what the Almighty expects of us humans. Look at what he said. He told the crowd they had good news for them. Then he said that their worship is vain! Games and trifles! Give them up, he says. Turn instead to the living God, the One who made the heavens, the earth and the sea. God made the domain of human endeavour, where we live, work, fish, travel, and worship. This God, says Paul, allowed you and your ancestors to take off on your own paths even though He did make Himself known and He gives you your daily food. Oxen and flowers also belong to Him. Paul did not make much headway even though what he told them about the Biblical teaching of creation, and our human place in it, is liberating.
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