The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1909-05-12

May 16. PauPs First Missionary
Journey -Iconium and Lystra. Acts
14:l-2S.
Our lesson continues to tell of the
first missionary journey of Paul and
Barnabas. When one reads in the
daily papers of the twenty-five thous-
and or more people who have been
killed in the past two months, on ac-
count of their religious belief in that
part of the world where Paul was
preaching. they are prepared to see
in the bible that Paul was shamefully
used and nearly killed by stoning to-
death because he taught a religion
differing from that of his hearers.
Indeed Asia Minor has ever been the
hot bed of fierce conflicts because of
religious differences.
Paul had sailed from port Of
Palestine out in the Mediterranean Sea
to the Island of Cyprus. Later he di-
rected his journey north to the main
land, landing at Perga. From here
he pushed to the interior north to the
city of Antioch in Pisida. Our lesson
of last Sunday told as to what hap.
pened to him there. 1t was here that
the Jews arose against him and he
turned to the Gentiles with the good
news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Paul now passed to the southeast to
the towns of Iconium and Lvstra. At
lconium he preached with holiness
and showed by many signs that this
gospel was one of power. Both Jews
and Gentiles at last opposed him and
he departed for Lystra where pecul-
lar experience awaited him and Bar
nabas.
Paul began to preach at Lystra and
soon saw among his hearers man
who was born cripple. The sermon
appealed to the poor man and his soul
hungered for the new religion. Paul
knew from his looks what was going
OIL in the cripple's mind. He saw
that he had the faith to be healed of
his physical defo1mity. and was ready
to follow Jesus. Paul called "stand
upright on thy feet and to the won
der of the people the man leaped and
walked. The people then went to ex-
tremes in the alteration for Paul and
Barnabas. They were believers in
the gods of the Greeks and Romans,
worshiping Jupitar, Mercury snd other
gods related of in the mythologies OF
the day. They raised the cry that
the Gods had come to earth calling
Barnabas. Jupiter and Paul. Mercury
In honor of the distinguished visitors
they gathered garlands of flowers and
were about to sacrifice oxen to them,
when Paul and Barnabas interposed.
: calling on the people to desist, assur-
ing them that they were but men anc
not Gods. Paul told them that he
came to tell them not to do these
very things, but they should turn tt
the true God who had made HEAVIER
/ and earth. The changableness Of
these people is shown that in few
days they turned in anger on thu
apostles. and urged on by Jews from
Icon;um. stoned Paul until they
/ thought his made.
! Paul was far from dead. even after
his sad treatment. He rose up. went
into the city and soon departed t.
another town Then he retraced hit
steps visiting the places which had
just treated him with hatred. He
comforted the believers. organized
churches. tasted and prayed with the
christians. and encouraged them in
many ways. Lystra where he healed
the lame man was the home of Timo-
thy and his mother, Eunicr, and grand
mother Lois. 1t is believed that
young Timothy first knew of the gos-
pei through Paul. There is story
extant that Paul after the stoninR
was taken to the homs Of Eunice and
cared for until his wounds were bet
ter. The lesson teaches US OF the
heroism Of the great apostle. Moth