By Rev. A. M. Cattanach, M.A.
(Continued from page 151)
XII
Iconium, Lystra and Derbe.
b. The reaction of the Apostles.
In face of such a situation as we have outlined above, we might well pose the question, How are the Apostles to react to this? Shall they endeavour to defend themselves against the prejudices of the Jews, their instigation of the mob and their evident intention to defeat the Apostles objectives in coming to Iconium? Shall they immediately depart to another city? or what shall they do? This was all part of the discipline necessary to the making up of a true disciple— to be faced with such situations and to know how best to meet them. In the days of his flesh, the Lord Jesus had warned his disciples of the dangers of discipleship—that the world would hate them, even as it hated Him; that they could expect persecution for his name’s sake: but in the midst of it all, had He not given them the greatest encouragement in promising to be with them and to keep them. This is best summed up in His precious closing words in John 16 v.33. “In the world he shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world.“
Paul and Barrabas were now having fresh tribulation at Iconium. The answer to our questions above is supplied in the portion under review in Acts ch.14 verses 1—7, but as we study it in the light of the latter part of the Scripture quoted from John ‘I have overcome the world,’ we cannot but adore the wondrous grace bestowed upon them, to realise that Jesus indeed was with them at Iconium and that the final victory lay with Him. In his strength they would go on, until he should make it clear to them that their duty lay elsewhere. Thus we read of them, in verse 3. “Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of His grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.“
O the wonder of all this! In spite of a threatening situation—’long time abode they‘ in Iconium; in Iconium they ‘spake boldly in the Lord’, no matter what threatenings hang over their heads. They stood firm; and the Lord rewarded them for their steadfastness— He was with them and gave testimony to the word of His grace . . . What a precious way to meet the situation facing them! What a lesson for all true servants of the same Lord and Master! Let us consider a little more fully the riches of this precious verse.
a) “Long time therefore abode they“.
This is their answer in effect. The ‘therefore‘ does not refer immediately, as one might think, to the previous verse, where the opposition movement is already on foot, although no doubt the very fact of this opposition, on Satan’s part, spurred them on. What really gave them encouragement to stay on and to work for the Lord there, was the obvious blessing which had already followed the preaching of the word as revealed in verse 1. The opposition merely sharpened their resolve. The phrase, ‘long time‘ is one which originally means ‘sufficient time‘—just enough time and no more; by extension, it came to be used of a long, but definite period of time, according to the context in which the phrase is used. Now moving to reflect here on the Apostles, (even led aright by Divine guidance from on high) remaining in Iconium long enough to accomplish the task committed to them, despite the opposition, and no more! The word translated ‘abode‘ is not its usual and normal Greek verb ‘to abide‘, but another and rather unusual one, meaning literally ‘to rub hard‘, or to ‘rub away‘, and hence to ‘consume‘, ‘wear away‘ or ‘spend‘ time, as here. We have a similar expression of time passing quickly or wearing away. Behind the idea of rubbing away lies the picture of a garment worn out with constant wear. It was thus that the Apostles passed their time in Iconium — wearing away the hours in the continual service of the Master. Would that we were made like them! How many wear away their hours and days, weeks and years, in a less honourable service—indeed, in the vilest service of all, the service of sin and Satan.
b) “Speaking boldly in the Lord“
It was in such activity that they passed this time—declaring the whole counsel of God. There was no fear of man before
their eyes, as they stood forth as heralds of the Cross. To speak boldly or freely—nothing wavering, without fear or favour; this spirit was given, a spirit of boldness for the Lord. The fear of man so often brings a snare; Paul and Barrabas are here graciously delivered from it. Reflect again upon their boldness, in face of mounting opposition, the secret power behind lies, not in themselves, but, as we see ‘in the Lord‘—that is, in dependence upon the Lord—upon His help, His grace, His comforting presence. It was only as they stood in Him that they could thus face the storm. Just so will it be for all those who will follow in their steps, for Paul to the last displayed this spirit, as the last verse of this book of Acts clearly indicates, when describing him, in his own hired house, as one who was still ‘preaching the Kingdom of God . . . with all confidence (or boldness)‘”. Jesus Himself had reminded the disciples before He departed to the Father—”without me, ye can do nothing” (John 15 v.3). Paul had found this out and here, at Iconium, he proved the contrary truth to which he later gave expression in his letter to the Philippians “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheth me” (Philippians 4. v13).
c). Which gave testimony . . . by their hands“.
The remainder of the verse reveals to us the sweet reward which the Apostles received in virtue of their steadfastness—the Lord was with them to bless their labours, to acknowledge the Word of His grace with signs following. Signs and wonders were done, indeed; what these were specifically, we are not told: there may have been miracles, since ‘Their Hands‘ are mentioned, but we cannot be sure. Of this, however, we may be sure—that there were not wanting signs of a spiritual work of wonder done among the inhabitants of Iconium: sinners were born in Sion and the church was inaugurated in that place. Perhaps we should lay emphasis on the fact that the Lord was pleased to add His own seal to the Word proclaimed—and to remember the expression used here to describe that Word: the Word of His grace. This is a sweet description of the Gospel message. Iconium heard of God’s grace to perishing sinners through the Word, in the mouth of Paul and Barrabas. It is good to remember still that the word of the Cross is still the word of
God’s grace; how thankful we ought to be for it; how solemn the responsibility of despising it, to the peril of our immortal souls. This, then, was the answer of the Apostles—to remain at their post of duty. As we read the following verse, we cannot but agree that their decision was correct. They had the seal of God’s blessing. As always, however, the blessing was not without its counterpart. “But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the Apostles“. (verse 4). Thus it was to be, at all times, and in all places—some believed, and some believed not. It is probable that the word ‘multitude’ here refers to the whole population; it is not to be understood in the sense of ‘mob‘ or ‘crowd‘. Paul and Barrabas began their work in the synagogues, but clearly their influence was such that soon the whole city became involved—leaders and people alike; rich and poor; master and slave; learned and unlearned. The outcome of their labour of love in the Gospel is a city divided—not merely a congregation worshipping in the synagogue. This in itself testifies to the power of the truth. The divisions existed; its proportions are undeterminable. The inspired Record leaves it thus—some were with (or on the side of; in company with) the Jews, others were with the Apostles—with no indication as to numbers. In view of subsequent events, and in line with the history of the Church in every age, it is likely that there were more on the enemy side, than on the Lord’s side. Be that as it may, however, we feel that the great matter for us is to realise that some were brought out of darkness. This is matter for praise to Him, who encouraged His servants then, and still does to this day. Can we not understand the feeling of dear Samuel Rutherford of old
‘If one soul from Anwoth
meet me at God’s right hand
My heaven will be two heavens
In Immanuel’s land’
Paul looked upon his converts as his crown and joy—he had them in Iconium, as in other places.
The Gospel divides — as Jesus Himself had foretold. On which side are you, dear reader?
Out of this division comes the final assault of the enemy, to which we have devoted some attention already. How now did
the Apostles react? In a word, they felt the time had come to move; they left Iconium, as they had left Antioch, and fled to Lystra and Derbe (verse 6); but the work went on—”and there they preached the Gospel” (verse 7). Flee they might, from one city to another; to shrink from declaring the glad tidings, never. From place to place they go and the name of Jesus is ever on their life. How noble their example to God’s servants in all ages! How inspiring their labour of love to all true believers! How beneficial their determination to all who may hear the Gospel of God’s grace, to this day!
Before we leave Iconium, it is good to know that Paul and Barnabas had friends among the brethren who believed—friends who let them know of the intentions of their enemies; friends who were not ashamed to be identified with them in the noble cause and who were willing to risk much to save the Apostles from the wrath of the rabble. As the Record tell us (in one word in Greek) — “They were ware of it”, i.e. the assault planned. This timely information gave them warning. Will not the Lord remember such deeds? “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me“. May we take heed likewise.