Lesson Twenty-Eight: Return to Antioch

Supplementary Materials

Paul Stoned at Lystra (14:19) "And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead." The dramatic reversal: Before (14:11-13) After (14:19) "The gods are come down!" "Stoned Paul" Prepared to sacrifice to them "Drew him out of the city" Called Paul "Mercurius" "Supposing he had been dead"

How the change happened: Jews from Antioch and Iconium traveled over 100 miles to pursue Paul. They "persuaded the people" — turned the fickle crowd against the missionaries. The same people who wanted to worship Paul now wanted to kill him. 2 Corinthians 11:25: Paul later wrote, "Once was I stoned." This is that occasion. It was a near-death experience that left him for dead outside the city walls.

Paul Rises (14:20) "Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe." Several remarkable observations:

• "The disciples stood round about him" — New believers gathered around Paul's body, likely praying
• "He rose up" — Whether miraculously healed or simply recovered, Paul got up
• "Came into the city" — Remarkable courage! He went back into the city that just tried to kill him
• "The next day he departed" — After a brutal stoning, he traveled the next day (about 60 miles to Derbe)

Note: Among those disciples standing around Paul may have been young Timothy, who was from Lystra (Acts 16:1). He witnessed this event and Paul's courage firsthand. Paul later reminded Timothy of "persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra" (2 Tim. 3:11).

Ministry at Derbe (14:21) "And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch."

Derbe was the easternmost point of the first journey — about 60 miles southeast of Lystra. Unlike the other cities:

• No persecution is recorded at Derbe
• "Taught many" (literally "made many disciples")
• Gaius of Derbe later traveled with Paul (Acts 20:4)

Why not continue east? From Derbe, Paul could have continued east through the Cilician Gates to his hometown of Tarsus — a shorter, easier route home. Instead, he chose to retrace his steps through hostile territory to strengthen the new churches.

The Return Journey: Strengthening the Churches (14:21-23) City What They Did Lystra Confirming souls, exhorting to continue in faith, appointing elders Iconium Confirming souls, exhorting to continue in faith, appointing elders Pisidian Antioch Confirming souls, exhorting to continue in faith, appointing elders Pisidia/Pamphylia Passed through these regions (14:24) Perga "Preached the word" — they had not preached here on the outward journey (14:25) Attalia Port city; sailed from here to Antioch (14:25-26)

What Paul and Barnabas Did in Each Church Action Meaning and Application "Confirming the souls of Strengthening, establishing, making firm. New believers need to the disciples" (14:22) be grounded in their faith. "Exhorting them to Encouraging, urging. Perseverance is essential — they must continue in the faith" "continue" despite trials. (14:22) "Through much Suffering is part of the Christian life. Paul's own stoning tribulation" (14:22) illustrated this vividly. "Ordained them elders in Appointed mature men to lead. Local leadership is essential for every church" (14:23) church health. "Prayed with fasting" Serious, earnest prayer accompanied the appointment of leaders. (14:23) "Commended them to the Entrusted the believers to God's care. Paul could leave because Lord" (14:23) the Lord would remain.

"Through Much Tribulation" (14:22) "We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." This is a sobering but honest message:

• "We must" — It is necessary, unavoidable
• "Through" — Not around, but through; tribulation is the path
• "Much tribulation" — Not a little, but much; suffering is expected
• "Enter into the kingdom" — The destination makes it worthwhile

Paul's credibility: When Paul spoke these words, he still bore the wounds from being stoned. He wasn't preaching theory — he was living it. This gave his message tremendous power.

Elders in Every Church (14:23) This is the first mention of elders being appointed in Gentile churches: Term Explanation Elder (Greek: presbuteros) Emphasizes maturity and dignity; from this word we get "presbyter" Bishop/Overseer (Greek: Emphasizes function — oversight, supervision; from this episkopos) word we get "episcopal" Pastor/Shepherd (Greek: Emphasizes care — feeding, protecting, guiding the flock poimen)

Key Point: These three terms describe the same office — the leaders of the local congregation. Note that there were elders (plural) in each church. This pattern of plurality is consistent throughout the New Testament (Acts 20:17; Phil. 1:1; Titus 1:5).

Return to Antioch of Syria (14:26-28) "And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled." The journey came full circle:

• "From whence they had been recommended" — Back to the sending church (Acts 13:1-3)
• "The work which they fulfilled" — Mission accomplished; they completed their assignment
• "Gathered the church together" (14:27) — Reported to the whole congregation
• "Rehearsed all that God had done with them" (14:27) — Gave glory to God, not themselves
• "Opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles" (14:27) — The major theme: Gentiles are receiving the gospel!
• "Long time with the disciples" (14:28) — Stayed in Antioch for an extended period before the next journey

First Missionary Journey: Complete Summary

Key Cross-References

Lessons from Acts 14:19-28 1. Crowds are fickle — the same people who worshiped Paul later stoned him. 2. Persecution doesn't stop the gospel — Paul rose and kept preaching. 3. New converts need strengthening — Paul returned to confirm their souls. 4. Tribulation is expected — "we must through much tribulation enter the kingdom." 5. Churches need qualified leadership — elders were appointed in every church. 6. Missionaries report to their sending church — accountability and encouragement.