Acts 14:12

Acts 14:12 says, And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.  Barnabas was called Jupiter and Paul was called Mercury, two of the false gods.  All we can ever be if we attempt to assume the role of God is a false god.  Verse thirteen continues, Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.  The priest of Jupiter was ready to offer sacrifices to them.  This could have put Paul and Barnabas in a powerful position had they been willing to glorify themselves.  No matter how powerful we might become by allowing people to give us credit for what God has done, we should never allow it to happen.  Verse fourteen declares, Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,  Paul and Barnabas were very distressed by the actions of the people.  If people begin to look on us as some sort of god, we need to be very distressed as well.  Verse fifteen adds, And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:  They told them that they should turn from their vanities to the Living God, Who made the heavens and the earth.  The people of Iconia were attempting to make gods to explain everything in the world.  Anytime they couldn't explain something, they made a god to be in charge of it.  The world today is no exception, though they might not call their answer a god.  If you cannot understand how the world came into existence, call it the god of Big Bang.  If you cannot understand how animals and humans came to be, call it the god Evolution.  Those who disagree with your gods and proclaim One God, Creator and Sustainer of all, call small minded and simple.  Verse sixteen continues, Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.  Paul and Barnabas told them that in the past God had left the nations to walk in their own ways, but He had not left them without a witness of His existence, in the very goodness of nature.  Verse seventeen concludes, 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.  They had the rain and food to enjoy. Now, they had been worshipping nature, as many do today, but Paul and Barnabas were there to tell them that it was time to worship the God of Creation, Who had sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to redeem all of mankind. This is the only message we will ever have for the world: Jesus Christ, crucified, resurrected, Lord.  Verse eighteen states, And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.  Paul and Barnabas were continuing to help the followers of Christ to grow in faith.  It didn't start out smoothly, since there were those who had attempted to worship them.  They were upset, and there were also Jewish leaders from Iconium and Antioch ready to cause trouble.   Verse nineteen adds, And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.  We have a group of God's chosen people following Paul and Barnabas simply to attempt to silence them.  They persuaded the people against Paul and Barnabas.  There are many people today who will go to great lengths to silence the gospel, but hopefully it isn't God's people doing it.  Though His chosen people, Israel, still go to great lengths to stop the gospel from being spread, especially in the nation of Israel.  They took Paul outside the city and stoned him, leaving him for dead. The next time you think God doesn't want you to do anything that would make you uncomfortable, remember Paul.  He is viewed as one of the greatest men of faith, and he was stoned and left for dead.  Verse twenty continues, Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.  We are told the disciples stood around him, and he rose up, and went into the city.  He didn't run or hide but went back into the city for the night.  When we are doing God's will, we need to stand firm, no matter how strong the opposition may be.