I Have Set Thee To Be A Light of the Gentiles - Part 907

For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, "I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou should be for salvation unto the ends of the earth ... to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house." (Acts 13:47; Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 49:6)

There is an interesting passage in the fourteenth chapter of Acts. It occurred in Iconium. Therein, both Barnabas and Paul entered into the synagogue of the Jews, wherein a great multitude of believing Jews and Greeks had gathered. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, turning their minds evil against the brethren.

"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." (Acts 14:3)

But the multitude of the city was divided. Some held to the traditions of the Jews and others with the teachings of the apostles. As a consequence, persecution against believers increased -- "an assault made both of the Gentiles and also of the Jews with their rulers to use them despitefully and to stone them."  (Acts 14:5; II Timothy 3:11) The apostles were aware of what was happening and travelled elsewhere to preach the gospel.

And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked. The same heard Paul speak; who stedfastly beholding him and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, "Stand upright on thy feet." (Acts 14:8-11; Acts 3:2) And the man who was lame leaped and walked.

When the people had witnessed what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, "The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men." This is not the only time that men wanted to worship the apostles instead of the only true God -- our Saviour Jesus Christ. Previous to this, Cornelius had met Peter and fell at his feet, and worshipped him. (Acts 10:25) Even under the old covenant, we read that King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and worshipped Daniel, so the idea of worshipping men is longstanding. (Daniel 2:46)

But note the differing responses from these examples in the scriptures. Even though the people wanted to worship Peter as a god, or in today's religious culture as a saint or first pope, Peter took Cornelius up, saying, "Stand up; I myself also am a man." (Acts 10:25-26)

In the second example, King Nebuchadnezzar, who had commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto Daniel said, "Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou could reveal this secret." (Daniel 2:47)

In Acts 14, the apostles Barnabas and Paul rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out and saying, "Sirs, why do you these things? We also are men of like passions with you and preach unto you that you 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." (Acts 14:14-17)

The other point worth noting here is that these men were willing to accept the apostles as "gods are come down to us in the likeness of men." (Acts 14:11) However, when the apostles pointed to the one true God that did come in the likeness of men -- His name being Jesus the Christ, the religious rulers wanted to stone them. (Acts 14:19; John 1:1-18)

Still, this is exactly what God did do. The same God who created us in the beginning loved us enough to become our Saviour. He delivered His redemption plan first hand so that we might experience His abundance of love and mercy.

"For God so loved the world." (John 3:16) Believe on Jesus today, and seek His righteousness. Continue in the faith even when we first have to go through much tribulation to enter into the kingdom of God. (Acts 14:22-23) Stand in the offering plate.