Acts 14 in the King James Version (KJV) continues the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas, focusing on their experiences in Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. They face both opposition and success, and the chapter also details the establishment of churches. Key lessons from this chapter include: 1. Perseverance in the Face of Opposition (Acts 14:1-7) – In Iconium, Paul and Barnabas preach in the synagogue, and many believe, but others oppose them and try to harm them. Despite the opposition, they continue preaching. The lesson is that sharing the Gospel can invite resistance and persecution, but believers must persevere, trusting in God’s protection and continuing to boldly proclaim the truth. 2. God’s Power Confirms the Message (Acts 14:8-18) – In Lystra, Paul heals a crippled man, and the people mistake them for gods. Paul and Barnabas quickly correct them, pointing them to the one true God. This demonstrates that God sometimes uses signs and wonders to confirm the message of the Gospel and to point people toward the truth. The lesson is that God’s power is evident in His work, but the glory belongs to Him alone, and believers must be careful to give Him all the credit. 3. The Danger of Popularity and Misunderstanding (Acts 14:8-18) – When the people of Lystra mistake Paul and Barnabas for gods after the healing, they are in danger of being misled by their own praise and misunderstanding of the Gospel. Paul and Barnabas quickly redirect the attention to God. This teaches that believers must avoid seeking personal glory or letting the world misinterpret their actions. True servants of God must point people back to Christ and reject any form of idolatry. 4. Endurance in Ministry (Acts 14:19-23) – After Paul is stoned and left for dead in Lystra, he rises up and continues preaching in Derbe. Despite suffering, Paul and Barnabas remain faithful to their mission and return to strengthen the churches they’ve established. The lesson is that true discipleship requires endurance. The Christian life is not always easy, but it involves suffering, perseverance, and a commitment to building up others in the faith. 5. Strengthening and Encouraging the Believers (Acts 14:21-23) – After their experiences in these cities, Paul and Barnabas return to the churches they established to strengthen and encourage the believers. They appoint elders to lead these new churches. This shows the importance of ongoing discipleship, teaching, and leadership development in the life of the church. The lesson is that a thriving church is one that continues to grow, is led by faithful leaders, and encourages its members to stand firm in the faith. 6. The Role of the Holy Spirit in Ministry (Acts 14:26-27) – When Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch, they report all that God has done through them and how the Holy Spirit had opened the door for the Gentiles to hear the Gospel. This emphasizes the vital role of the Holy Spirit in guiding and empowering ministry. The lesson is that effective ministry is led and sustained by the Holy Spirit, and believers must remain dependent on Him in all their work. 7. Rejoicing in God’s Faithfulness (Acts 14:27) – Paul and Barnabas give thanks to God for the work He has done, acknowledging that it was God’s faithfulness, not their own, that made their mission successful. The lesson here is the importance of giving God the glory for all successes and recognizing that everything is a result of His grace and power. In summary, Acts 14 teaches perseverance in the face of opposition, the importance of pointing people to God rather than seeking personal glory, endurance in ministry, the value of strengthening and encouraging believers, the central role of the Holy Spirit in ministry, and the necessity of rejoicing in God’s faithfulness. It calls believers to remain faithful, humble, and dependent on God as they carry out His mission.