Galatia [a] Historical

by R. Hickling, Nottingham, U.K. | Category: The New Testament Churches Of God (Their History, Order And | Oct 1982

The ancient kingdom of Galatia was located in the northern part of the inner Asia Minor plateau. During part of the Roman republic Galatia was a dependent kingdom, but in 25 BC it was given full status as a Roman province. Paul's visit to the area is described in Acts chapters 13 and 14 and, in spite of many hazards, many disciples were made in the four towns mentioned: Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. It is evident that those who became disciples were not left to wander "as sheep without a shepherd", but were taught the whole truth of God and were added to the churches of God planted there. It was to these that the letter to the Galatians was written (Gal. 1:2). Mention of these churches is made also in 1 Corinthians 16:1, and the fact that Paul gives the same instruction to the assembly in Corinth as he did to those in Galatia demonstrates that the churches of God were bound together in fellowship to carry out the revealed will of God.

Antioch in Pisidia

After passing through Perga in Pamphylia the apostle Paul and those with him came to Antioch in Pisidia. This town had been founded by a successor of Alexander the Great about 300 BC, and from its early days many Jews had taken up residence there. It was an important road centre and became a Roman colony in 6 BC. When Paul and Barnabas arrived there they would find a mixed population of Romans, Greeks, Jews and native Phrygians. On the sabbath day Paul and his company went into the synagogue and, by invitation, the apostle addressed those present. Much, if not all, of what he said is recorded for us in Scripture and out of the very many discourses made by Paul in synagogues this is the only one of which we have details.

The word spoken must have made an impression on many who heard because they asked for further teaching on the following sabbath. Many also took opportunities to converse with Paul and Barnabas on these weighty matters. So great was the impact of the apostle's message that on the following sabbath almost the whole city came to hear the word of God. Some Jews were filled with indignation at the sight and became very jealous, contradicting the teaching and taunting the speakers. This attitude did not deter Paul and Barnabas. They had discharged faithfully their responsibility

to the men of Israel in accordance with divine instruction. Courageously the Lord's servant declared they would now turn to the Gentiles which fact, no doubt, would increase the ill-feeling of many of their Jewish opponents and contribute to their determination to drive Paul and Barnabas from the city. To achieve this the Jews used the influence they had with certain of the women of Antioch, many of whom were of high rank, and of other prominent men of the town. Soon a clamour arose against the apostles and they were expelled from the city.

But the work of God had been fruitful and the labourers had reaped a harvest leaving behind an infant church of God formed of disciples who had been obedient to the Lord's will.

Iconium

After leaving Antioch Paul and Barnabas came to Iconium, a very ancient city as old as, if not older than, Damascus. It was about 90 miles from Antioch in a well watered area and, therefore, productive and prosperous.

Again, observing the principle of "to the Jew first", the apostle preached in the synagogue. It was to the synagogue that the Lord Himself went, "as His custom was" (Luke 4:16), and it would be a familiar place to the apostles, offering an excellent opportunity to preach the gospel and teach from the Scriptures. The Word went forth with power and "a great multitude both of Jews and Greeks believed."

It was not long, however, before serious opposition came from unbelieving Jews. To them the fact that these two men, with their associates, could create such an impression was totally unacceptable. They stirred up the Gentiles to join them in opposition to the Lord's servants. This did not prevent Paul and Barnabas from staying in the town for some time during which they fearlessly testified to the grace of God. It was granted to them to perform signs and wonders to confirm the word which had been preached. Let us note, in passing, that the apostle's testimony did not start with a demonstration of signs and wonders, but rather with the preaching of the Word of God. The signs were but confirmatory, testifying to the divine origin of the apostle's message.

The opposition divided the population of the city and a plot was hatched to ill-treat and stone Paul and Barnabas. Becoming aware of it they left Iconium for Lystra, Derbe and the surrounding areas, but again leaving behind a company of disciples in a newly planted church of God.

Lystra

This comparatively obscure town on the high plains of Lycaonia had been made a Roman colony by the emperor Augustus, possibly for defensive purposes. It was here Paul and Barnabas came after leaving Iconium.

There was a man in Lystra who had been lame from birth and to whom the Lord, through Paul, brought healing and blessing. There are several facets of this incident which remind us of Peter's experience as related in Acts 3. So far as we know the lame man at the gate of the temple had not heard Peter preach, but simply "asked to receive an alms" (Acts 3:3). In contrast the man at Lystra heard Paul speaking and must have exercised a measure of faith in the spoken word, but to the apostle was granted the ability to discern the position. The man was commanded to do something which he most probably never had been able to do, that is, to stand on his feet. Instantly he leaped up and began to walk. This was true miraculous healing brought about by the power of God. Once again, it confirmed to those who needed such confirmation that the word spoken by Paul and his fellows was truly the Word of God.

The people of this district were given to superstition, much of which was based on the legends and mythology of the time. When they saw what had happened to the lame man, basing their idea on one of their legendary stories, immediately they began to acclaim Paul and Barnabas as two of their mythical gods come in the flesh. Because he was the chief speaker they called Paul Mercury who, in mythology, was the messenger of the gods. Barnabas they named Jupiter or Zeus, the mythological father of the gods. Immediate arrangements were made for sacrifices to be offered to Paul and Barnabas. When they realized the people's intentions they were alarmed and with haste and visible signs of distress they appealed to the people not to proceed with their plans. They remonstrated with them declaring, "We also are men of like passions with you... " Thus Paul and Barnabas refused emphatically any form of adulation from their fellow men. There is always the danger in any walk of life that personality, position and pomp might attract that praise and honour from men which should rightly be ascribed to God.

The Scripture reveals little of the outcome of the work in Lystra, but from Acts 14:20 and 21, we know disciples were made. Among those won for the Lord were Eunice and Lois and in that household was young Timothy who, having been brought to Christ, was to become so dear to Paul and serve the Lord faithfully.

As on previous occasions Jewish opposition came, and soon the multitudes were persuaded to stone Paul. It may be that the cooperation of the people with the opposing Jews was made easier by some reaction to the apostle's refusal of the people's desire to sacrifice to them. Certainly here the hardships and persecution of the apostle reached a crisis point and he was dragged out of the city, as though he were dead. Whether he was or not we

are not told. Some believe that it was at this point that the apostle had the experience to which he alludes in 2 Cor. 12:1-5. Whatever the position he rose up and the next day went on to Derbe.

Derbe

This town is believed to have been about 60 miles from Lystra. The Scripture relates little of the experiences of Paul and Barnabas there, but it seems significant that Derbe is not included in the list of towns given by Paul in 2 Tim. 3:11, where he writes of "persecutions he endured." It is possible, although there is no scriptural confirmation, that the Jews, thinking Paul had been killed at Lystra, abandoned their pursuit until, of course, they realized the true facts. Many disciples were made in Derbe and a church of God was planted there (Acts 15:41;16:l).

Return Visits

The infant churches, in the planting of which the apostle had been instrumental, were very dear to his heart. The disciples in them needed to be cared for and taught. The churches were no autonomous units to be left to follow their own devices, but together they were in one Fellowship (1 Cor. 1:9). It is instructive to note, as has already been observed, that the same instruction is given by Paul in 1 Cor. 16:1 to the church in Corinth as he had given to the churches in Galatia.

Paul and Barnabas, in spite of all the hardships they had suffered, revisited Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples. In this context "confirming" means "strengthening". Paul encouraged them to continue, but made no secret of the fact that tribulations would be experienced by all those who would enter the kingdom of God, that is, the sphere where God's will, the law of the kingdom, must be observed.

Later, a further visit to Galatia was made (Acts 16:1, 6). It must have been a great joy to the apostle to see some of the results of the Lord's work through him, but the full extent of it will not be known until that coming day.

R. Hickling, Nottingham, U.K. | Oct 1982
The New Testament Churches Of God (Their History, Order And