Cleveland County herald., 1921-08-11
|. Paul and Barnabas Preaching al

|. Paul and Barnabas Preaching at Iconium (vv. ID.
 As to their work in Ieonium ob serve:
 l. Their manner of preaching. This is suggested by the little word 'so" in verse l. They 'so" spalle that great multitude believed. They were true preachers. Only that which brings con- yiction of sin and induces decision for Christ can be truly said to be preach ing in the biblical sense. The same is true of the Sunday school teacher. Let every Sunday school teacher at all times have as his supreme aim to bear the gospel of Christ so as to induce decision for Christ.
 ?. Their attitude toward opposition. This is suggested by the word there fore" in verse 8. Long time therefore they tarrieC." The opposition did not prevent their preaching, but melted them to continue preaching. Christian workers should learn not to give up work because of opposition.
 8. The Lord accompanied their preaching with miracles (v. 3. Since the opposition was so fierce, special help of the Lord was needed.
 4. The effect of their preaching (v. 4). The multitude of the city was divided. Where men faithfully preach the gospel there will be division.
 II. Attempt to Worship Paul and Barnabas as Gods (yy. 6-19).
 l. The occasion (vv.. S-1o)-the heal ing of the lame man. Gods gracious power exhibited in healing this lame man occasioned a new difficulty. That which ought to have been help was turned into a hindrance. The man was a confirmed cripple. He had never walked. He heard Paul's preaching, which caused faith to be born in his heart (Rom. 10:17). When Paul per ceived that he trusted Christ, he called with loud voice that all could hear for the man to stand upright The cure was instant for he leaped up and walked (v. 10). There was no mag netic touch, no treatment only the command, and the naturally impossible became the possible and the real.
 ?. The method (vv. 11-13). They called Barnabas Jupiter and Paul Mer- cury, because he was the chief speaker. The priest of Jupiter brought oxen and garlands ready to offer sacrifices unto those men (v. ID. If they had. only known, in the person of Jesus Christ God had actually appeared to men (John 1 IA; Phil. IT, 8.
 B. Their efforts frustrated (vv. IA 1S). This foolish act was. happily averted by the tact of the apostles, as exhibited in the address of the Occa- sion. CD They deny that they are di- vine beings and declare that to wor ship beings with like passion to them selves is criminal. CD They direct them to turn away from these vain things unto the living God who made heaven and earth and has ever left witness of Himself in that He has always done good, giving rain and fruitful seasons, filling their hearts with gladness.
 II. The Stoning of Paul (vv. 19-22).
 Wicked Jews from Antioch and leo nium pursued Paul with relentless hate to this place, where they stirred up the very people who were willing to worship them little while ago. This shows that satanic worship can soon be turned into satanic hate This hatred took form in stoning Paul and dragging him out of the city for dead God raised him up, and with undaunt- ed courage he pressed on with his du- ties as missionary bearing the good tidings to the lost.
 Soon after this Paul turned back and revisited the places where he had preached, telling them that through great uibuation they must enter into the kingdom of God.
 ". The Organization of Churches in the Field (vv. 23-2S).
 Evangelization with Paul did not mean nasty and superficial preach. ing of the gospel but the establishment. of a permanent work. Elders were appointed in every church. The work of the missionary is not done until there are established on the field self-governing and self-propagating churches.