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designs of the Jews and urged them not to expose themselves needlessly to
the fury of the mob； but to escape for their lives。 Paul and Barnabas
accordingly departed in secret from Iconium； leaving the believers to carry
on the work alone for a time。 But they by no means took final leave； they
purposed to return after the excitement had abated； and complete the work
begun。
In every age and in every land； God's messengers have been called upon to
meet bitter opposition from those who deliberately chose to reject the light
of heaven。 Often； by misrepresentation and falsehood； the enemies of the
gospel have seemingly triumphed； closing the doors by which God's messengers
might gain access to the people。 But these doors cannot remain forever
closed； and often； as God's servants have returned after a time to resume
their labors； the Lord has wrought mightily in their behalf； enabling them
to establish memorials to the glory of His name。
Driven by persecution from Iconium； the apostles went to Lystra and Derbe；
in Lycaonia。 These towns were inhabited largely by a heathen； superstitious
people； but among
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them were some who were willing to hear and accept the gospel message。 In
these places and in the surrounding country the apostles decided to labor；
hoping to avoid Jewish prejudice and persecution。
In Lystra there was no Jewish synagogue； though a few Jews were living in
the town。 Many of the inhabitants of Lystra worshiped at a temple dedicated
to Jupiter。 When Paul and Barnabas appeared in the town and； gathering the
Lystrians about them； explained the simple truths of the gospel； many sought
to connect these doctrines with their own superstitious belief in the
worship of Jupiter。
The apostles endeavored to impart to these idolaters a knowledge of God the
Creator and of His Son； the Saviour of the human race。 They first directed
attention to the wonderful works of Godthe sun； the moon； and the stars；
the beautiful order of the recurring seasons； the mighty snow…capped
mountains； the lofty trees； and other varied wonders of nature； which showed
a skill beyond human comprehension。 Through these works of the Almighty； the
apostles led the minds of the heathen to a contemplation of the great Ruler
of the universe。
Having made plain these fundamental truths concerning the Creator； the
apostles told the Lystrians of the Son of God； who came from heaven to our
world because He loved the children of men。 They spoke of His life and
ministry； His rejection by those He came to save； His trial and crucifixion；
His resurrection； and His ascension to heaven； there to act as man's
advocate。 Thus； in the Spirit
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and power of God； Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel in Lystra。
At one time； while Paul was telling the people of Christ's work as a healer
of the sick and afflicted； he saw among his hearers a cripple whose eyes
were fastened on him and who received and believed his words。 Paul's heart
went out in sympathy toward the afflicted man； in whom he discerned one who
〃had faith to be healed。〃 In the presence of the idolatrous assembly Paul
commanded the cripple to stand upright on his feet。 Heretofore the sufferer
had been able to take a sitting posture only； but now he instantly obeyed
Paul's command and for the first time in his life stood on his feet。
Strength came with this effort of faith； and he who had been a cripple
〃leaped and walked。〃
〃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。〃 This statement was in harmony with a tradition of theirs that the gods
occasionally visited the earth。 Barnabas they called Jupiter； the father of
gods； because of his venerable appearance； his dignified bearing； and the
mildness and benevolence expressed in his countenance。 Paul they believe to
be Mercury； 〃because he was the chief speaker；〃 earnest and active； and
eloquent with words of warning and exhortation。
The Lystrians； eager to show their gratitude； prevailed upon the priest of
Jupiter to do the apostles honor； and he 〃brought oxen and garlands unto the
gates； and would have done sacrifice with the people。〃 Paul and Barnabas；
who had sought retirement and rest； were not aware of
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these preparations。 Soon； however； their attention was attracted by the
sound of music and the enthusiastic shouting of a large crowd who had come
to the house where they were staying。
When the apostles ascertained the cause of this visit and its attendant
excitement； 〃they rent their clothes； and ran in among the people〃 in the
hope of preventing further proceedings。 In a loud； ringing voice； which rose
above the shouting of the people； Paul demanded their attention； and as the
tumult suddenly ceased； he said： 〃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。〃
Notwithstanding the positive denial of the apostles that they were divine；
and notwithstanding Paul's endeavors to direct the minds of the people to
the true God as the only object worthy of adoration； it was almost
impossible to turn the heathen from their intention to offer sacrifice。 So
firm had been their belief that these men were indeed gods； and so great
their enthusiasm； that they were loath to acknowledge their error。 The
record says that they were 〃scarce restrained。〃
The Lystrians reasoned that they had beheld with their own eyes the
miraculous power exercised by the apostles。
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They had seen a cripple who had never before been able to walk；made to
rejoice in perfect health and strength。 It was only after much persuasion on
the part of Paul； and careful explanation regarding the mission of himself
and Barnabas as representatives of the God of heaven and of His Son； the
great Healer； that the people were persuaded to give up their purpose。
The labors of Paul and Barnabas at Lystra were suddenly checked by the
malice of 〃certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium；〃 who； upon learning of the
success of the apostles' work among the Lycaonians； had determined to follow
them and persecute them。 On arriving at Lystra； these Jews soon succeeded in
inspiring the people with the same bitterness of spirit that actuated their
own minds。 By words of misrepresentation and calumny those who had recently
regarded Paul and Barnabas as divine beings were persuaded that in reality
the apostles were worse than murderers and were deserving of death。
The disappointment that the Lystrians had suffered in being refused the
privilege of offering sacrifice to the apostles； prepared them to turn
against Paul and Barnabas with an ent