Page 70 - Acts Student Textbook

Study Section 15: Acts 14-Paul’s ministry in
Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe

15.1 Connect.
Chapter 14 is the continuation of the first missionary journey which has already started in
chapter 13. There is a common pattern through all the places were Paul and Barnabas
ministered: Firstly they communicate, they face opposition, they persevere, fruit is seen, and
God gets glorified. It will be also important to note the difference in the way Paul
communicates in a Synagogue (as seen in chapter 13), verses how he communicates to a
complete pagan culture (chapter 14). Join me...

15.2 Objectives.

1. The student should be able to describe how Paul and Barnabas ministered in Southern
Galatia and the challenges and successes they faced.

2. The student should be able to analyze how Paul and Barnabas spoke in the face of
opposition.

3. The student should be able to discuss the result of Paul and Barnabas’ preaching.

4. The student should be able to describe what Paul and Barnabas did when opposition developed
into persecution.

5. The student should be able to explain how Paul and Barnabas preached to complete pagan culture
verses how they preached in the synagogues.

6. The student should be able to examine how the information of chapter 14 helps us understand
the background matters of the book of Galatians.

7. The student should be able to describe how to deal with dissension.

8. The student should be able to explain how the resolution was balanced without compromising the
salvation by grace through faith message.

9. The student should be able to discuss the main reasons for the accommodations in resolving the
dissension in this chapter.

15.3 Acts 14: Paul’s ministry in Iconium Lystra and Derbe

Iconium (14:1-7): easternmost city of Galatic Phrygia (modern Konya, Turkey); crossroads and
agricultural center in the central plain.

How did Paul and Barnabas speak in the face of opposition?

Despite the opposition, Paul and Barnabas were able to stay in Iconium a long time boldly speaking
the word of the Lord (14:3). How long they stayed is not specified. The hatred against them
apparently continued a long time before it led to a forcible effort to expel them as had happened in
Antioch. Note that they spoke boldly. It would take boldness to continue to speak the truth in the

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