Lesson 378

(Lesson 378)(08-27-12) Acts 14:1-18, "And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them, They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: And there they preached the gospel. And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. And 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. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, And saying, 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: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them."

This lesson demonstrates how many have tried to impose cultural tradition and ritual into Christianity. Many of today's isms make this same mistake, not by making sacrifices, as the people of Lystra did, but by adopting ceremonial demonstrations such as water baptism and/or communion etc, as a required part of God's plan of salvation.

As is so clearly evident in the sermon Paul preached and recorded in the 13th chapter of Acts, nothing is required beyond the supreme sacrifice made by the Son of God, "Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man" (Jesus) "is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." As we can so plainly see, the ONLY requirement for remission of sin is belief in the redeeming power of our Lord Jesus Christ." No amount of ritual can ever accomplish redemption.

After Paul and Barnabas had, through the power of the Holy Spirit, caused the lame man to walk. The people of Lystra began to look upon them as gods. The people came out to meet Paul and Barnabus with gifts to be sacrificed to them. They even referred to the two preachers as the gods, Jupiter and Mercurius (Mercury).
When Paul and Barnabus realized what was going on, they were so frustrated they tore their clothing and immediately began to explain how they were not gods, only messengers from the one true God, come to bear the news of redemption through the gospel of Christ.~