8 In Lystra a man was sitting whose feet were incapacitated. He had been disabled from his mother’s womb, and had never walked.
9 This man was listening to Paul as he spoke. Paul looked at him intently and saw that he had faith to be made well,
10 and he said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet!” And the man leaped up and began to walk.
11 When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have become like men and have come down to us!”
12 And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, since he was the chief speaker.
13 Moreover, the priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard about it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out
15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men, of the same nature as you, preaching the gospel to you, to turn from these useless things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything that is in them.
16 In past generations He permitted all the nations to go their own ways;
17 yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”
18 And even by saying these things, only with difficulty did they restrain the crowds from offering sacrifices to them.
“But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard about it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out and saying, ‘Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men, of the same nature as you…’” (1) Barnabas and Paul finally understood what was happening. (a) The term “apostles” is used again here. (b) They tore their robes. This is an expression of shock, sorrow, dismay, or anger. (c) They rushed into the crowd and began preaching, shouting as they did so. (2) The content of their sermon was tailored for a Gentile audience. They did not reference the Hebrew Scriptures or Greek philosophy, as it would not make sense to speak of the Messiah to people who did not know the Creator God. Instead, they conveyed the most basic truths: (a) We are humans just like you. (b) The God who created heaven and earth is the living God. (c) This God is calling you to turn away from vain idol worship and return to Him. (d) We are messengers of the gospel, calling you to return to God. “In past generations He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.’” (1) What was the state of the Gentiles before the gospel was preached to them? “In past generations, He permitted all the nations to go their own ways.” This means that God patiently waited, allowing the nations to follow their own paths while He prepared for the right time to reveal the gospel. (2) However, even in those ancient times, God provided evidence of His existence through: (a) Rain from heaven, (b) Fruitful seasons, (c) Food and joy. Though the Gentiles did not receive direct revelation from God, they were given general revelation through nature. “And even by saying these things, only with difficulty did they restrain the crowds from offering sacrifices to them.” It seems their sermon had little effect. They only barely succeeded in stopping the crowd from offering sacrifices to them. “I didn’t know God existed,” is not valid excuse. God has clearly revealed His existence through the natural world (general revelation). Now is the time to accept the gospel of Christ and return to God.
Today's prayer
Creator God, You have revealed Your existence through the natural world. I pray that many more people may receive further revelation. Please use me. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.