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The Acts of the Apostles
chief speaker,” earnest and active, and eloquent with words of warning
and exhortation.
The Lystrians, eager to show their gratitude, prevailed upon the
priest of Jupiter to do the apostles honor, and he “brought oxen and
garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.”
Paul and Barnabas, who had sought retirement and rest, were not aware
of these preparations. Soon, however, their attention was attracted by
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the sound of music and the enthusiastic shouting of a large crowd who
had come to the house where they were staying.
When the apostles ascertained the cause of this visit and its atten-
dant excitement, “they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people”
in the hope of preventing further proceedings. In a loud, ringing voice,
which rose above the shouting of the people, Paul demanded their
attention; and as the tumult suddenly ceased, he said: “Sirs, why do ye
these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach
unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God,
which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are
therein: who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own
ways. Nevertheless He left not Himself without witness, in that He did
good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our
hearts with food and gladness.”
Notwithstanding the positive denial of the apostles that they were
divine, and notwithstanding Paul’s endeavors to direct the minds of
the people to the true God as the only object worthy of adoration, it
was almost impossible to turn the heathen from their intention to offer
sacrifice. So firm had been their belief that these men were indeed gods,
and so great their enthusiasm, that they were loath to acknowledge
their error. The record says that they were “scarce restrained.”
The Lystrians reasoned that they had beheld with their own eyes the
miraculous power exercised by the apostles. They had seen a cripple
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who had never before been able to walk, made to rejoice in perfect
health and strength. It was only after much persuasion on the part of
Paul, and careful explanation regarding the mission of himself and
Barnabas as representatives of the God of heaven and of His Son, the
great Healer, that the people were persuaded to give up their purpose.
The labors of Paul and Barnabas at Lystra were suddenly checked
by the malice of “certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium,” who, upon
learning of the success of the apostles’ work among the Lycaonians,