Congregation Book Study, Week of July 1-7, 2024, Chapter 12, paragraphs 11-19, Responses.

Study of the Book of the congregation, July 1-7, 2024, Chapter 12 paragraphs from 11-19, Answers.

Congregation Bible study (30 mins.) bt chap. 12 paras. 1-6 and box on p. 96.

Based on Acts 14:1-28

1, 2. What happened to Paul and Barnabas at Lystra?

In Lystra Paul and Barnabas performed a miracle by healing a man who had been born with crippled feet. 

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

This event caused a great uproar in the city, as the crowd impressed by the miracle began to hail Paul and Barnabas as gods, the people thought that the Greek gods had descended in human form, Even the priest of Zeus carried garlands and prepared bulls to sacrifice in honor of them. Paul and Barnabas had to shout to ask the crowd to stop and tore their clothes, a sign of deep rejection and anguish as they protested and pleaded for the people not to worship them.

At the same time, some Jews from Iconium and Antioch from Pisidia arrived in the city who were against the message that Paul and Barnabas preached. These opponents began spreading lies about Paul and Barnabas and managed to convince the crowd to reject them. 

The same people who adored them minutes before now turned against them with hatred. The townspeople, instigated by lies, surrounded Pablo and stoned him until he was unconscious. Believing that he was dead, they dragged him out of the city. This fact shows the volatility of the crowd and the fierce opposition that Paul and Barnabas faced in their preaching mission.

3. What questions will we answer in this chapter?

In this chapter we will answer the following questions: 

How did it get to this terrible point? This question seeks to explore the events and circumstances that led to the dramatic and violent reaction of the Lystra crowd.

What do we learn from what happened to Paul Barnabas and the capricious crowd of Lystra? The lessons we can draw from the experience of Paul and Barnabas will be discussed here.

How can congregation elders imitate the perseverance of these two faithful men who preached boldly through Jehovah’s authority? We will see how congregation elders today can follow Paul and Barnabas' example of perseverance and courage.

“Many Jews and Greeks became believers” (Acts 14:1-7)

4, 5. Why did Paul and Barnabas go to Iconium, and what happened there?

Paul and Barnabas went to iconium after being expelled from Antioch of Pisidia. Despite this expulsion, they were not discouraged, following the advice of Jesus in Matthew chapter 10 verse 14, they shook the dust off their feet as a sign of not carrying the responsibility. of the decision of those who rejected the message and continued their mission elsewhere. With joy and perseverance they walked southeast until they reached Iconium, a city located on a fertile plateau between the Taurus Mountains and the Sultan Mountains.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

In Iconium Paul and Barnabas found a strategic place to continue their preaching. The city known for its Greek culture and its prosperity due to trade and agriculture had a population of Jews and proselytes. Following their custom, Paul and Barnabas began their ministry in the local synagogue, there their preaching had a great impact, they spoke in such a way that many Jews and Greeks became believers.

The positive response in iconium shows the effectiveness of his method of preaching first in the Synagogues, where they found both Jews and Gentiles interested in the message of the Kingdom of God. Despite the challenges and opposition they faced elsewhere, Paul and Barnabas persevered in their mission, expanding the message of the Kingdom and attracting many new believers. 

ANSWERS BASED ON THE BOX: ICONIO, CITY OF FRIGIOS.

Iconium was an important trade route connecting Syria, Rome, Greece and the Roman province of Asia, the city known for worshiping Cybele the Phrygian Goddess of fertility. He maintained certain customs of his Greek and later Roman domain. 

Despite Greek and Roman influence, Iconium retained a significant Jewish population and according to the writings of Cicero and Strabo it was part of Lycaonia from a geographical point of view.  

However, the inscriptions discovered in 1910 indicated that two centuries after the visit of Paul and Barnabas, the Phrygian language was still spoken, differentiating it from other cities in Lycaonia where the Lycaonic language was spoken, this cultural and linguistic diversity reflected the complexity of the region and highlighted the ability of Paul and Barnabas to adapt and preach in different contexts.

6. Why were Paul and Barnabas such good teachers, and how can we imitate them?

Paul and Barnabas stood out as teachers because of several qualities and approaches that made them particularly effective in their work. Paul had an extensive knowledge of the Hebrew scriptures, he knew how to connect historical accounts, quotes from the law and prophecies to demonstrate that Jesus was the promised Messiah Barnabas, he was also knowledgeable about the Bible, but he was especially noted for his genuine interest in people. He was very skilled at encouraging and comforting others. 

Both Apostles spoke through the authority of Jehovah, basing their teachings and speeches on the word of God rather than their own opinions. This solid foundation gave them credibility and power in their teaching. Today by applying these principles we can imitate Paul and Barnabas and be effective teachers, helping others understand and appreciate the good news of the Kingdom of God.