Reaching Out
ICONIUM, LYSTRA AND DERBE (Acts 14)
Section V: A Propagation
Iconium: A Vehement People
The missionaries journeyed from Pisidian Antioch to Iconium along what was called “The Imperial Road.” The distance was about eighty miles. Whether they went on foot or otherwise, we cannot say. Iconium was an important commercial town. Like Antioch it was national in point of view, though closely associated with Lycaonia. Roman and Greek influence were not as strong by far as at Antioch, but Jews were numerous. Some of the characteristics of the work at Antioch were reproduced here also.
The chief feature, however, emphasized in the narrative is the fervency and vehemence of the Iconians. From the first, interest was aroused, and division ensued, both among Jews and Gentiles. The synagogue was moved and divided; so was a wider company; and so, at last, was the whole city. Every one took sides; no one seemed to be apathetic or indifferent. The hostile party, Jews, pagans and authorities, combined to foster a public riot, with murderous intent and the missionaries retired from the place for the time being.
Lystra: A Superstitious Community
Lystra was only eighteen miles from Iconium, and was situated in a comparatively retired spot, some miles distance from the great overland route. It belonged to that western part of the country of Lycaonia which was included in the Galatia province. It was a Roman colony, and so both Latin and Greek influence were present; but its population was mainly Lycaonians, comparatively uneducated and under the sway of crude pagan superstitions. Jews were few in number, as appears from the fact that no synagogue is mentioned there. A striking miracle of healing stirred to its depths the superstitious reverence of the people. They prepared to treat the missionaries as divine beings. A procession was formed, with oxen, garland and the usual paraphernalia of idolatry, and the priest of Jupiter was on the point of offering sacrifice.
It was then that the missionaries rent their clothes and begged them to desist. Paul seized the opportunity to tell them of the true and living God. Those who know what heathen processions are, with their musical accompaniments, noise and excitement can appreciate Luke's words, “scarce restrained they the people” (Acts 14).
Superstitious people are generally excitable and somewhat fickle. Jewish emissaries from Antioch and Iconium easily perverted their minds and persuaded them to allow Paul to be stoned. He was, however, miraculously preserved from death. Possibly this new miracle once more over-awed them, for he was allowed to spend the night there and to depart quietly the next day. He left converts behind, and so his sufferings were fruitful for the cause. Temples, idols, priest, processions, victims, garlands, sacrifices, wild shoutings in the vernacular, all these still abound, and the missionary goes on telling idolaters “good tidings” about the living God, since the deities they worship are chiefly demons and dead men who are now, from either fear or reverence, treated as divine and covered in offerings.
Derbe: A Quiet Audience
Derbe was thirty miles from Lystra, and was situated on the main highway of travel. It was a frontier town on the border of the Galatian province. Beyond it lay a large native state. Its importance consisted chiefly in its frontier position. The fact that Paul journeyed there the very day after the cruel stoning shows, of itself, the miraculous character of his recovery. The work in Derbe seems to have been like the calm after a storm. Possibly more happened than appears in the narrative, but the impression left is that no violent opposition occurred. “They preached the Gospel” and many disciples were made. Similarly, the missionary of today often finds an audience prepared to listen to God's message, even though they may not be eager to accept it.
On one occasion while William Harrison was in Africa, he spoke to an audience of about 100 natives, many barefooted, scantily dressed, babies in their arms – wanting to hear about Christ. Some accepted, and came so fast to be baptized in the river that he wondered if they understood what they were doing. So, he asked: “Do you understand what you’re doing?” “Yes,” they all shouted. He later wrote: “Forty three souls ran into the water to be baptized. They actually ran.” This is the Gospel – powerful and quick. This is the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12) in action.
Paul and Barnabas did not cross the Roman frontier and return to Syria by the Cilician Gate. It may have been too late in the year to cross the mountains by that route. Perhaps they were actuated by a desire to consolidate the work happily begun. They returned, therefore, to Perga via Lystra, Iconium and Antioch. Their work in the newly established churches assumed a fourfold shape: (a) Strengthening of faith; (b) exhortation to continuance; (c) appointment of leaders; and (d) prayer to the Lord. Every missionary knows the importance of attending in part to these matters in infant churches in the field.
Thus evangelization was followed by organization, and the newly lit lamps were left trimmed and brightly burning. The rays of any era when it first touches the world seem to those who see only the feeble dawning light far away and never coming. The dawn does not reveal the full glories of the midday sun. But it is the whole era that is coming, with all its blessings. It was so with the landing of the Pilgrims; it was so and is so with the abolition of slavery, and it is so with the dawning of missionary work. Although the number of workers may be small at first, we must remember that little is much when God is in it. The grain of mustard seed will soon become a great tree.
Problems will arise. But nothing can stop the power of the Gospel, if we choose to let God lead. The job will be difficult, but it must be accomplished. May we never grow weary in our determination and zeal to take the Gospel to the lost – reaching out to the unsaved with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
