From Iconium to Derbe

Let’s review what we learned last time. “But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.” (1) In Lystra, Paul was stoned. The Jews believed Paul was dead and dragged him outside the city. Afterward, they left the scene. (2) The disciples (believers) gathered around Paul. As a result of Paul’s preaching, a small church had been born. The believers came to check if Paul was alive or dead. If he was alive, they would need to pray for his healing. If he was dead, they would need to prepare him for burial. It’s possible that young Timothy was among this group of believers. (3) Paul was not dead. He immediately stood up and went back into the city. (a) This was a miraculous healing. (b) Paul stood up and returned to the city. (c) Luke does not record how the residents of the city reacted to this. (4) The next day, Paul left for Derbe with Barnabas. They likely judged that it was not wise to stay in Lystra any longer. Derbe was about 60 miles (95 km) from Lystra and was a city located on the eastern border of the Roman Empire.

Evangelism in Derbe

“And after they had preached the gospel to that city and had made a good number of disciples.” The evalgelism in Derbe was greatly blessed, but Luke’s account is brief. They preached the gospel in that city and made many disciples. God encourages us when we need it most. “They returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch.” (1) Derbe was located at the eastern edge of the Roman Empire. Since they could not go further east, the group retraced their steps, returning in the order of Lystra, Iconium, and Pisidian Antioch. Although Paul had faced persecution in these towns, he chose to visit them again. (2) The reason for revisiting these towns was to follow up with the believers. Paul and Barnabas knew that discipleship after evangelism was crucial. Let’s take note of their faith, dedication, and courage. Those who fear God will no longer fear people. Let us pray that we may be givgen the same faith as Paul and Barnabas.