Two Faithful Gospel Preachers

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. 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. 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. And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. And there they abode long time with the disciples. - Acts 14:1-28

    After preaching the gospel at Antioch in Pisidia, Paul and Barnabas came to Iconium and preached Christ there. There was a great division among the people at Iconium over the message of God's saving grace in Christ. God's servants were assaulted and abused and would have been stoned had they not fled to Lycaonia. 'And there they preached the gospel.'

    At Lystra Paul healed a lame man by the power of God and all the people came to worship him and Barnabas as gods. 'They called Barnabas, Jupiter, and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. ‘Had Paul and Barnabas not prevented it, the people of Lystra would have sacrificed animals to them! Yet when Paul denounced their idolatry and preached the living God to them, they stoned him, dragged him out of the city and left him for dead. But he arose and came back into the city.

    The next day he and Barnabas left on another preaching mission. They went to Derbe, back to Lystra, to Iconium and to Antioch in Pisidia again, preaching the gospel of Christ, confirming the brethren and ordaining elders in every church. After that they passed through Pisidia and preached the Word in Pamphylia, Perga and Attalia. Then they returned to Antioch in Syria to give a report of all that had taken place on their first missionary journey (14:27-28; cf. 13:1-3).

    This brief summary of Acts 14clearly demonstrates the fact that Paul and Barnabas were faithful gospel preachers of the apostolic age. They are held up by the Holy Spirit as examples to all who preach the gospel. The entire book of Acts is a history of preaching in the early church. It is evident that the Spirit of God intends churches and individual believers to be well informed about the work and responsibilities of faithful gospel preachers.

    If God speaks to men it will be through the lips of a man preaching the gospel. Therefore there are certain questions which should be of great interest to all people, all believers and all local churches. What preachers should we hear? What kind of man is a preacher to be? What is involved in the work of the ministry? How can believers best pray for, support and assist those men who preach the gospel? These questions are clearly answered in the Word of God (1Tim.3: 1-7;4:12-16;2 Tim. 4: 1-4;Titus 1:5-9). They are also answered by example. In Acts 14 the Holy Spirit holds Paul and Barnabas up as examples of true and faithful preachers of the gospel.

    1. What did these two men preach?

    Paul and Barnabas preached to a great number of people in many different places. They preached to Jews and Gentiles, rich and poor, learned and unlearned, men and women, young and old, religious people and profane people, influential people and despised people, believers and unbelievers. Yet their message was always the same. Wherever they were, 'There they preached the gospel' (14:7; 1Cor. 1:17-24). All true gospel preachers have just one message: 'Christ crucified' (1 Cor.2: 1-5). Regarding that message they all see eye to eye and speak with one voice (Isa. 52:7-8). Christ crucified is the theme of Holy Scripture and the theme of every gospel preacher (Luke 24:27,44-47). Richard Sibbes once said, 'Preaching is the chariot that carries Christ up and down the world.' Writing to preachers, Richard Baxter was exactly right when he said, 'If we can but teach Christ to our people, we teach them all.' The preaching of Christ crucified involves, at the very least, the clear declaration of these three things:

    1. The glory of his person as the God-man mediator (John 1:1-3,14,18; 2Cor. 8:9;Phil. 2:5-8; 1Tim.6:14-16;Heb.1:1-3; 1 John 5:7).

    2. The efficacy of his work as the sinner's substitute (Isa. 53:10-11; Rom. 5:19; 8:34; Gal. 3:13;Heb. 9:12; 10:10-14).

    3. The universal sovereignty of his dominion (John 17:2; Rom. 14:9; 1 Cor. 15:25; Phil. 2:9-11; Heb. 10:12-13).

    Every preacher must be judged, or examined, first and foremost, by the theme of his ministry. If the theme of his ministry is not distinctively and pre-eminently the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, he is not the servant of God!

    2. What happened when Paul and Barnabas preached Christ crucified?

    When men preach the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit one of two things always happens: either they bow to Christ in faith, or they rebel against him in obstinate unbelief. It is impossible to stand before the throne of the sovereign Christ with indifference (Acts 13:48,50; 14:1-5,19-20; 2Cor. 2:14-16). As it has been, it is now and always will be: to the Jews, those who trust in their religion, Christ crucified is a stumbling-block; to the Gentiles, the intellectuals, the imaginary wise people of the world, Christ crucified is foolishness. But to those who are called by God, those who are saved by God's grace, Christ crucified is the wisdom of God revealed and the power of God experienced in their souls (1 Cor. 1:23-24). Everywhere they went Paul and Barnabas preached Christ and him crucified to all who would hear them. The response of the people was always the same. Some believed and some did not believe. So it is to this day—wherever Christ is preached there is 'a division among the people because of him' (John 7:43).

    3. What was the attitude of God's servants towards the ministry?

    Though they met with much opposition everywhere they went, Paul and Barnabas proved themselves to be men of uncompromising dedication (14:19-21). Though Paul was stoned and left for dead at Lystra, he went right back into the city, and later returned again to preach the gospel to the very people who had stoned him (14:21). They were thoroughly committed to the work God had put into their hands (20:24).

    Being committed to the work of preaching the gospel, they were men of unswerving faithfulness (2 Cor. 4: 1-7). Regardless of their circumstances, regardless of the consequences of their actions, Paul and Barnabas faithfully sought the will and glory of God, faithfully ministered to the souls of men and faithfully proclaimed the doctrine of the gospel.

    They were men of unquestioning faith. Believing God, they went about their work trusting him to open the door before them, provide their needs and protect them. Faith makes the servants of God independent of all men (13:51; Gen.14:21-23). Faith makes gospel preachers bold, even in the face of numerous, influential and powerful enemies (Acts 15:26). They live and preach with boldness. William Gurnall wrote, 'A preacher without boldness is like a smooth file'—utterly useless! Faith in Christ makes men bold in the cause of God, for the honour of Christ and in defence of the truth of the gospel.

    4. What motivated Paul and Barnabas in their work?

    Clearly, they were not motivated by money, power, or fame. They gained none of these things. What motivated them and motivates all who are truly the servants of God was a desire for the glory of God in Christ to be made known unto men (2 Cor. 4:3-6; 1Kings 18:36-37), an ambition for the salvation of God's elect (1 Cor. 9:22) and a genuine concern for the spiritual and eternal welfare of God's church and kingdom (Acts 14:22-26).

    5. What was the source of their strength?

    It is evident that Paul and Barnabas were men of great courage and strength. They seem to have feared nothing. Nothing appears to have discouraged them. Nothing could stop them (14:27). What gave them such courage and strength? Three things. First, they rested in God’s providence. When they told their brethren all that happened to them and with them, they said, 'God did it!' Secondly, they relied upon God’s power. They realized that it was God alone who had opened the door before them. And, thirdly, they recognized God’s purpose in all things—in their trials as well as their triumphs. What can you do with men like that? You can stand back and watch them, or you can join them in their labours, but you cannot stop them. To fight against them is to fight against God!