30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
02 Acts 14 08-20 THE MINISTRY AT LYSTRA 36 Acts 14 15-17 God of all nations
📖 Acts 14:08-20
36 – Wed, 26 Nov 2025 – *God of all nations*- _Acts 14:08-20_ – THE MINISTRY AT LYSTRA – _Revelation 07:09-10_
_Acts 14:15-17 and saying, "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, *and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them*, (16) who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. (17) Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness."_
Barnabas and Paul preached to the people at Lystra that they should turn away from this useless idolatry and turn to the living God.
God sees how man has invented his own gods, philosophies, ideologies and forms of worship. This is what we see in the world. Wherever we go, we see that people have their own peculiar cultures, stories, philosophies, forms of worship for various deities, rituals, and social systems that incorporate all these elements into their worship.
This is what Paul experienced in Athens. _Acts 17:16-18 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols. (17) Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there. (18) Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, "What does this babbler want to say?" Others said, "He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods," because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection._
We can very easily see the root from where all of this began. _Genesis 3:5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it *your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil*."_
Every individual knows good and evil in their own way. There is therefore no fixed standard. What seems evil to one person seems good to another, and what seems good to some seems evil to others. Over time, people have developed their own perspectives on life, shaping distinct ideologies. To support these beliefs, they create stories and fables—often blended with fragments of history and geography to give them the appearance of truth. From these narratives, religious frameworks took form, eventually producing the dogmas that guide their followers.
In this milieu, the Lord has not left people without a witness of Himself. _Romans 1:18-23 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, (19) *because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them*. (20) For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, *even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse*, (21) because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (22) *Professing to be wise, they became fools*, (23) and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
Since man has been created in the image of God, there is a vacuum inside each man which only God can fill. No religious ideology can fill that place in the heart of man, though man pursues his chosen ideology with zeal.
Man chooses to remain in darkness. _John 3:19-20 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (20) For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed._
The god of this age is active in keeping people blinded. _II Corinthians 4:3-4 But even if our gospel is veiled, *it is veiled to those who are perishing*, (4) whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them._
Yet, over time, we have seen how people from different socio-religious-cultural backgrounds have turned and continue to turn to the living God.
This was the promise of God to Abraham. _Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And *in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed*."_ People from all groups turn to God. _Psalm 86:9 All nations_ (people groups) _whom You have made Shall come and worship before You, O Lord, And shall glorify Your name._
This is what the Lord told us. _Matthew 8:11 And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven._ We are all one in Christ Jesus. _Galatians 3:27-28 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (28) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus._
```The living God is not bound to one culture or nation—His salvation is for every tribe, tongue, and background. Barnabas and Paul were welcoming the people of Lystra to know God and become His family.```