The Courage Of Paul

Acts 14:19  

"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."

    Paul heals a man who had been born crippled and the amazed crowd looks upon the gospel team as gods, calling Barnabas "Jupiter," and  Paul "Mercury." In the midst of all the excitement at Lystra certain Jews arrived. They may have been there for one of two reasons. They may have been deliberately following Paul and Barnabas in a set attempt to undo the work that they were doing. Or they may have been corn merchants. The region round Lystra was a great corn growing area and they may have come to buy corn for the cities of Iconium and Antioch. If so, they would be shocked and angry to find Paul still preaching and would very naturally stir up the people against him.

   Lystra was a Roman colony; but it was an outpost. Nevertheless, when the people saw what they had done they were afraid. That is why they dragged what they thought was Paul's dead body out of the city. They were afraid of the strong hand of Roman justice and they were trying to get rid of Paul's body in order to escape the consequences of their riot, (v.19). 

   My Friends, The most notable thing about this story is the sheer courage of Paul. When he came to his senses, his first act was to go right back into the city where he had been stoned. There could be no braver thing than Paul's going straight back among those who had tried to murder him. A deed like that would have more effect than a hundred sermons. Men were bound to ask themselves where a man got the courage to act in such a way. All I can say is, "Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit of God!!" 
Amen!

Reading: Acts 14:1-20
HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry