August 1931
370 3. The result of the power of God (10). This was twofold. The cripple was not only healed, but he was filled with joy. We read that “he leaped and walked.” Walking is an art which must be learn ed, but this man was an exception to the rule; he walked at once. We sometimes overlook the mighty power of God that manifests itself in what appear to be little things. Note also that, when the cripple was healed, he had the power given him to witness immediately to his healing. The sinner who accepts Christ as his personal Saviour goes forth with a new power and a new grace never be fore possessed. It is his privilege and duty to manifest that power and grace in his daily life. . The surprise of this man’s friends must have been very great. The very best Christian evidence is that which en ables a man to stand before those who have known his former sinful career— a saint, saved and kept by the power of God. Every such one bears a testimony which cannot be gainsaid. In this day, when so many are attempting to prove the truth of God by means of abstract ar guments, there is great need of a practical demonstration of the gospel’s power. *11. T he I gnorance of G od A mong the H eathen (11-18). 1. The manifestation (11-13). As soon as the people saw what had been done in the healing of the lame man, they declared: “The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mer- curius.” Then they proceeded to bring oxen and garlands to offer as sacrifices to these men. Whenever there is a mani festation of the supernatural, men think that God Himself has appeared. This ac counts for the growth of heathen super stitions. Many stories are told by mission aries regarding the awe with which the heathen look upon anything unusual, such as the striking of a match, the gleam of a flashlight, or the appearance of anything with which they are not acquainted. To them, these things are evidences of the supernatural, and, therefore, manifesta tions of God Himself. Civilized people are like them, although they manifest their interest in a different manner. The startling increase in the number of for tune tellers, palm readers, clairvoyants, etc., speaks of the rapid turning of the people to the supernatural. This attitude is also seen in the growth of spiritism among the so-called cultured classes. All these things bespeak a darkness and an ignorance concerning the true God and His revelation to men. 2. The instruction (14-18). The incident furnished an opportunity for Paul and Barnabas to speak to the people of the living God whom they wor shiped and served. They pictured Him as “the living God, who made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein.” Compared with Him, the gods whom the heathen worshiped were mere “vanities.” The “living God,” was the Creator of all things; who dealt patiently with the nations in times past, and who continually manifested Himself in bless ing to all men, giving rain and fruitful seasons, and supplying food and gladness.
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city, supposing him to be dead,” they thought they were done with him. But as the disciples stood about him, he arose and entered into the city, in spite of the treatment that had been accorded him there. The next day, he went on to Der- be. It was there, probably, that he met Gauis and led him to Christ. There Paul and Barnabas “made many disciples” as the Revised Version says. It is the preaching of the gospel which alone makes disciples. Anything less than this results in merely stirring the emotions and awakening only a legal conviction. But the gospel, preached in its purity, leads to a spiritual quickening which is sues in the faith that saves. These preach ers were not exercised about getting the people to live on a different plane, but they were eager to have them experience a change of character. They longed to see them turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God. For all of this the gospel alone was sufficient. 2. Teaching the new converts (22). Bringing souls to the new birth is not enough, however. The new-born soul must be confirmed and exhorted to con tinue in the faith. Satan seeks to hinder the preaching of the gospel. But when it is preached, and souls are saved, he tries to keep the new believers from growth in grace and the knowledge of the Lord. Hence, it is necessary that Christians be constantly exhorted. They are to be fed upon the sincere milk of the Word that they may grow thereby (1 Pet. 2:2). We should ever strive to win souls to Christ. But we must be on our guard lest, when we have done this, we imagine that our work is finished. The up-building of Christians is as important a ministry as the winning of lost souls. Unfortunately, it is often neglected. 3. Appointing elders (23). To stimulate growth among the Chris tians, the apostles ordained elders in every church. These were men upon whom the Lord manifestly placed His seal and who were able, because of that, to carry on the work in the various local assemblies. Lesson Questions Vs. 8-10. What is said of the physical condition of the “certain man at Lystra” ? of his faith? of his obedience? of his restoration? Of whom is this cripple a type? Like him, is every saved sinner given opportunity to testify for Christ (cf. Rom. 10:9, 10)? Vs. 11-13. What wrong impression did the people receive when they saw the mir acle performed? Whom did they believe Paul and Barnabas to be? What ovation did they give them? Vs. 14-18. How did Paul and Barnabas receive the honor which the people of Lystra sought to bestow upon them? Were they right in their refusal to ac cept worship (cf. Rev. 19:10)? How did Paul and Barnabas characterize the gods of the heathen? In what language did they speak of “the living God” ? Vs. 19, 20. From whom did objection arise? How was Paul treated? Does this incident show the fickleness of the mob? What was Paul enabled to do? Vs. 21, 22. Is it important to teach .young converts as well as to bring unbe lievers to a saving knowledge of Jesus
3. The danger to Paul and Barnabas (15). The chief danger to the gospel wit nesses was that they should think them selves to be something more than the hea then, when they merely had something more. The saved one possesses something which others do not have, something be stowed by God and not by nature. The danger is that the believer will think more .highly of himself than he ought to think, and will unconsciously consider himself to be of different material than the heathen. Paul and Barnabas knew they were “men of like passions” with their brethren, and they refused to al low the proposed sacrifice to be made to them. What they possessed was a knowl edge of the true God and a responsibil ity to make Him known. This knowledge and responsibility belongs to every truly saved person. III. T he O pposition to G od A mong the H eathen (19). 1. The source. Opposition rose from those who should have known God and accepted His mes sengers. Certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium stirred up the people against the disciples’ preaching. It is a significant fact that the heathen, who have never heard the gospel, are often less opposed to it when they do hear it than are the peo ple who have had the truth for cen turies. 2. The character. The opposition had in it the marks of Satanic hatred and subtilty. But the rec ord reveals also that another element en tered in—the fickleness of the human heart. One day, these people of Lystra were prepared to offer worship to Paul and Barnabas, hailing them as gods, and the next day they were ready to stone them. Popular opinion is a vain thing, and the “voice of the people” is far from being the voice of God. The concensus of public opinion is usually found to be contrary to the truth of God. IV. T he F ellowship W ith G od A mong the H eathen (20-23). 1. Striving to win souls by the gospel ( 20 , 21 ). When the Jews “drew Paul out of the ^ oon this world will pass away; Nearer draws the glorious day When, from sin and sorrow free, Lord, I’ll go to dwell with Thee. Then I’ll see Thee face to face — I, a sinner saved by grace. Oh, how happy I shall be When I go to dwell with Theel Lord, increase my faith while here; Drive away all doubt and fear; So may Thine the glory be When I go to dwell with Thee. Teach me so to count my days, Guide my heart in wisdom’s ways; Satisfied I then shall be Through eternity with Thee! Anticipation B y E lizabeth D ickson
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