The Acts of the Apostles (1911) — PDF Scan 189

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PREACHING AMONG THE HEATHEN 183 tlie apostles. Tliey had seen a cripple who had never before been able to walk, made to rejoice in perfect health and strength. It was only after mnch persuasion on the part of Paul, and careful explanation regarding the mission of himself and Barnabas as representatives of the God of heaven and of His Son, the great Healer, that the people were persuaded to give up their purpose. The labors of Paul and Barnabas at Lystra were suddenly checked by the malice of ^ ' certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium," who, upon learning of the success of the apostles' work among the Lycaonians,^ had determined to follow them and persecute them. On arriving at Lystra, these Jews soon succeeded in inspiring the people with the same bitterness of spirit that actuated their own minds. By words of misrepresentation and calumny, those who had recently regarded Paul and Barnabas as divine beings, were persuaded that in reality the apostles were worse than murderers and were deserving of death. The disappointment that the Lystrians had suffered in being refused the privilege of offering sacrifice to the apostles, prepared them to turn against Paul and Barnabas with an enthusiasm approaching that with which they had hailed them as gods. Incited by the Jews, they planned to attack the apostles by force. The Jews charged them not to allow Paul an opportunity to speak, alleging that if they were to grant him this privilege, he would bewitch the people. Soon the murderous designs of the enemies of the gospel were carried out. Yielding to the influence of evil, the Lystrians became possessed with a satanic