Lesson 1157

(Lesson 1157)(11-23-14) Acts 14:8-18

"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."

We see in today's quote that after Paul healed the man who's feet were crippled, the Greeks In Lystra were so in awe of what Paul had done that they perceived Paul and Barnabas to be the Gods Mercurius and Jupiter and immediately set about to offer sacrifices to them.

Paul, perplexed by their complete misunderstanding, again preached How it was our God, the God of the universe, who was to receive the praise and glory for the miracle they had performed. Paul made it clear that he and Barnabas were only human and had no power beyond that which was demonstrated through them by the Holy Spirit.

It would be such a blessing if all the great "Christian" preachers who command such a loud voice during our time were to be so humble as Paul and Barnabas. Praise God for those who risked their lives every day to humbly preach the gospel of Jesus Christ while giving ALL the glory to God.~