Friday, August 30, 2024

ST. PAUL and BAR-NABAS in LYSTRA and DEBRE

Paul and Barnabas in Lystra and Debre  

The Passage: Acts 13:50 – 14:28

Structure:

a. 13:50-52, Travel of evangelization

 b. 14:1-4, Increasing disciples

  c. 14:5-7, Stoning

   d. 14:8-13, crowd wanted a sacrifice

    e. 14:14-17, Words of apostles

   d’. 14:18, restraining crowd from a sacrifice

  c’. 14:19-20, Stoning

 b’. 14: 21-23, Increasing disciples

a’. 14:24-28, Travel of evangelization   

Historical and geographical context: This story concludes the First Mission trip. After St. Paul’s miraculous resurrection at Lystra (see below), he visits Debre, converting many, after which Paul and Barnabas begin their trip back. Passing through the same cities avoiding Cyprus they return to the church (Acts 14:27). Apparently, Antioch (of Syria) became a center of the church development.

The name of town Debre – the final destination – is derived from Persian Derbent which stands for “narrow gate” (lit. “barred gate”). It is interesting that the city with this name has accepted the Gospel without any hesitation or reservation. Debre is mentioned 4 times in the Book of Acts (14:6, 20; 16:1; 20:4). First time it is just a geographical pointer, then St. Luke simply states that “they preached the Gospel to that city and made many disciples”. Interesting, that the city with such name is fast to believe in Jesus (as He preached, Mt. 7:13-14).    

In comparison, two other cities mentioned in the story are Iconium and Lystra. The meaning of Iconium is based on “icon/image” – city of [the large or mass produced] Image. What is surprising is that regardless of the prohibition to create the images for “acknowledgement” (Ex. 20:4-6) there was a Jewish synagogue in town (Acts 14:1). The exact meaning of Lystra is lost, but it could mean something within a range of “loose goats, pain relief, or city of madness”. If the last one is true, no wonder St. Paul was stoned there. To conclude, Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Debre are Galatian cities St. Paul writes his famous letter to. 


Theology:

St. Paul picks up after St. Peter (ch. 3).

 

Chapter 3

Chapter 14

Person

Lame from birth (v.2)

Crippled from birth (v.8)

Action of the person

Asked to receive an alm (v.3)

Listened to St. Paul (v.9)

Action of an apostle

Peter directed his gaze at him (v.4)

Paul looked intently

What was said

In the name of Jesus, rise up and walk (v.6)

Stand up right on your feet (v.10)

Reaction of the people

Utterly astounded (v.11)

Lifted up their voices and praised Zeus and Hermes

What happened to the apostle

Jailed and in court

Being stoned – death

 

Did St. Paul understand Lycaonian language? Most likely, yes. Lycaonian language was used on the territory of modern Turkey, including Tarsus – where Saul/St. Paul was born. I think the apostle used the same street talk to respond to the crowd. But the Scripture was NOT written in street talk – there was a special “liturgical” language, first – Hebrew, then Greek.   

On his way back St. Paul preaches and “trials and tribulation”. He speaks from personal experience – split at Iconium and death at Lystra. On the other hand, just think about the expression on Antiochian and Iconium’ Jews who dragged his breathless body out of the city, now seeing him alive and courageously proclaiming the kingdom of God. The idea of death and resurrection is a cornerstone for the establishment of the kingdom. Later, St. Paul included this idea into his writing (cp. 2 Cor. 4:7-12).  

In the Bible we have a few examples of people who went through Death and Resurrection experience prior to the final death – just to name a few: Son of the Widow of Zarephath (1 King 17), Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5), Lazarus (John 11). These people had to go through the regular death and resurrection again to be with the LORD forever. 

 

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