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Acts 14:19–23
“When [Paul and Barnabas] had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (vv. 21–22).
Barnabas and Paul faced fierce opposition from unbelieving Jews and even some gentiles in Pisidian Antioch, forcing them to flee to Iconium. Receiving threats also in Iconium, they then fled to Lystra (Acts 13:13–14:18). Those who were against Paul were not content merely to get him and Barnabas out of Antioch and Iconium, however; they also wanted to kill them. We see this in today’s passage, which tells us that while Paul was in Lystra, Jews from Antioch and Iconium came and persuaded the crowds to join them in stoning Paul (14:19). Evidently, Paul was injured badly enough to make his attackers think that he was dead, so they dragged him out of the city. But the Apostle revived, and he and Barnabas went to preach the gospel in Derbe, where they received no opposition (vv. 20–21). Matthew Henry comments on Paul’s near-death experience and what it tells us about the sovereignty of God over His people: “God’s faithful servants, though they may be brought within a step of death, and may be looked upon as dead both by friends and enemies, shall not die as long as he has work for them to do.”
After ministering in Derbe, Paul and Barnabas traveled back toward Syrian Antioch, meeting with Christians in Lystra, Iconium, and Pisidian Antioch again (v. 21). They were so committed to the welfare of the churches they had planted that they were willing to return to places where the populace had tried to kill them and where their lives would be under constant threat. During their second round of work in those cities, they appointed elders in every church who would shepherd the believers (v. 23). These were men of good character who were able to teach the people the things of God (see 1 Tim. 3:1–7).
In addition to ordaining elders, Paul and Barnabas encouraged the professing Christians to continue in the faith and told them that we enter the kingdom of God through many tribulations (Acts 14:22). This message had reference to the kingdom of God in its consummate state, for as we know, Jesus brought the kingdom of God in His earthly ministry, death, and resurrection. The inaugurated kingdom is like a seed that will grow over time into a mighty tree (Matt. 13:31–32). Believers are in the kingdom of God now, but we are not yet in the kingdom’s ultimate state until the return of Christ. We will suffer as we make our way toward that consummation, for tribulation attends the current phase of the kingdom (Col. 1:24–26).
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
Certainly we experience many blessings now as citizens of the kingdom of God. As this kingdom continues at war against the kingdom of darkness until Christ returns, we also face tribulations. We should not think it strange to suffer for the sake of the kingdom, for the Christian life involves passing through the valley of the shadow of death. We can make it through, for Jesus will never leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5).
For further study
- Psalm 13
- Isaiah 33
- John 16:33
- 2 Thessalonians 1:5–12
The bible in a year
- Esther 1–3
- Acts 5:1–16