John 14
Acts 14 records the course of the ministry that Paul and Barnabas experienced as they preached the gospel in various cities of the region of Asia Minor (including Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, etc.). In this chapter, we see how the gospel is welcomed and opposed as it spreads to both Jews and Gentiles, along with the growth of the early church.
1verse“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me.
2verseIn my Father’s house are many homes. If it weren’t so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you.
3verseIf I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also.
4verseYou know where I go, and you know the way.”
5verseThomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?”
6verseJesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.
7verseIf you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on, you know him and have seen him.”
8versePhilip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”
9verseJesus said to him, “Have I been with you such a long time, and do you not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father. How do you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
10verseDon’t you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I tell you, I speak not from myself; but the Father who lives in me does his works.
11verseBelieve me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
12verseMost certainly I tell you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also; and he will do greater works than these, because I am going to my Father.
13verseWhatever you will ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14verseIf you will ask anything in my name, I will do it.
15verseIf you love me, keep my commandments.
16verseI will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever:
17versethe Spirit of truth, whom the world can’t receive, for it doesn’t see him and doesn’t know him. You know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
18verseI will not leave you orphans. I will come to you.
19verseYet a little while, and the world will see me no more; but you will see me. Because I live, you will live also.
20verseIn that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
21verseOne who has my commandments and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him.”
22verseJudas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, what has happened that you are about to reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?”
23verseJesus answered him, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
24verseHe who doesn’t love me doesn’t keep my words. The word which you hear isn’t mine, but the Father’s who sent me.
25verse“I have said these things to you while still living with you.
26verseBut the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you.
27versePeace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.
28verseYou heard how I told you, ‘I am going away, and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced because I said ‘I am going to my Father;’ for the Father is greater than I.
29verseNow I have told you before it happens so that when it happens, you may believe.
30verseI will no more speak much with you, for the prince of the world comes, and he has nothing in me.
31verseBut that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father commanded me, even so I do. Arise, let’s go from here.
Ministry in Iconium (Verses 1-7)
- Paul and Barnabas entered the synagogue in Iconium and boldly proclaimed the gospel.
- Many Jews and Greeks believed, but some Jews opposed them, inciting the Gentiles and causing persecution.
- So the two apostles withdrew from the threatening danger and went to another region, yet even in that process, God’s grace accompanied them, and signs and wonders followed.
Miracles and Misunderstanding in Lystra (Verses 8-20)
- In Lystra, there is an account of a miracle event in which a man who was lame from birth is healed.
- Because of this, the people of the area mistakenly think of Paul and Barnabas as gods and try to offer sacrifices, but the two apostles humbly stop them and emphasize the gospel of the living God.
- However, due to the instigation of Jews who came from outside, Paul is stoned and seems to be near death, but miraculously he gets up and enters the city again.
Evangelism in Derbe and a Return Visit (Verses 21-23)
- In Derbe, the gospel is preached, and many people become disciples.
- After that, Paul and Barnabas revisit cities where they had already preached the gospel—such as Iconium, Lystra, and Antioch—establishing churches and encouraging believers.
- In particular, in each church they appointed elders, fasted, and prayed.
Ministry Report and Return (Verses 24-28)
- Paul and Barnabas pass through Pisidia and then return to the Antioch church, where they were originally sent out.
- They share reports of the journey of their ministry and the grace of God at work among the Gentiles, and they also talk together about how many doors God opened for them.
Points for Reflection
- Gospel ministry involves opposition and hardship, but even in the middle of it, God’s work does not stop—it continues.
- Even amid misunderstanding, trials, and danger, the apostles’ attitude of holding on to the core of the gospel, and leadership marked by humility and truth, serve as an important example for the church and for us today.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- As you proclaim the truth of the gospel or do what is right, let’s remember that we may experience misunderstanding and trials, as well as criticism from outside. Then, we can learn how important it is to trust God’s guidance and to respond with boldness and humility—not fear.
- To see the fruit of the gospel grow in my own life, let’s reflect on the need for courage, perseverance, and prayer to consistently have a positive influence in the place where we live.
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