Acts 14:27
When they arrived, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them, and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
When they arrived
This phrase marks the conclusion of Paul and Barnabas's first missionary journey. The Greek word for "arrived" (παραγίνομαι, paraginomai) implies coming to a place with purpose. Their return to Antioch was not merely a homecoming but a deliberate act to share the fruits of their mission. Historically, Antioch was a significant center for early Christianity, serving as a launching point for missions and a place of refuge and support for the apostles.

gathered the church together
The Greek word for "church" (ἐκκλησία, ekklēsia) refers to the assembly of believers. This gathering was not just a social meeting but a spiritual assembly, emphasizing the communal nature of the early Christian faith. The act of gathering highlights the importance of fellowship and collective worship in the Christian tradition, reflecting the unity and shared mission of the body of Christ.

they reported all that God had done through them
The apostles' report was a testimony to God's active role in their mission. The Greek word for "reported" (ἀναγγέλλω, anangellō) suggests a detailed recounting, emphasizing the importance of sharing God's works. This phrase underscores the belief that it is God who empowers and accomplishes His purposes through His servants. It serves as a reminder that all ministry efforts are ultimately the work of God, not human achievement.

and how He had opened the door of faith
The metaphor of "opened the door" (ἀνοίγω, anoigō) signifies God's initiative in granting access to salvation. In the ancient world, doors were symbols of opportunity and access. This phrase indicates that God Himself made a way for the Gentiles to receive the Gospel, breaking down barriers and extending His grace beyond the Jewish people. It reflects the fulfillment of the Great Commission and the inclusive nature of the Gospel.

to the Gentiles
The term "Gentiles" (ἔθνος, ethnos) refers to all nations outside of Israel. This was a revolutionary concept in the early church, as the Jewish people had long been seen as God's chosen nation. The inclusion of the Gentiles signifies the universal scope of the Gospel and God's desire for all people to come to faith. It highlights the breaking down of ethnic and cultural barriers, affirming that salvation through Christ is available to everyone, regardless of background.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul and Barnabas
The primary missionaries in this passage, who have returned from their first missionary journey to report to the church in Antioch.

2. Antioch
The city where the church gathered to hear the report. It was a significant center for early Christianity and the starting point for Paul and Barnabas's missionary journey.

3. The Church
The body of believers in Antioch who gathered to hear the report of Paul and Barnabas. This community played a crucial role in the spread of the Gospel.

4. Gentiles
Non-Jewish people who were receiving the Gospel message. The opening of the "door of faith" to them signifies a pivotal moment in the early church's mission.

5. God's Work
The events and miracles that occurred during the missionary journey, attributed to God's power and guidance.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Mission
Recognize that it is God who opens doors for the Gospel. Our role is to be faithful in sharing the message, trusting in His timing and power.

The Importance of Testimony
Sharing what God has done in our lives can encourage and strengthen the faith of others. Like Paul and Barnabas, we should report God's work in our communities.

Inclusivity of the Gospel
The Gospel is for everyone, regardless of background or ethnicity. We should actively seek to share the message with all people, reflecting God's heart for the nations.

Community and Accountability
Gathering with fellow believers to share and hear testimonies fosters community and accountability. It is vital for spiritual growth and encouragement.

Faith as a Journey
The "door of faith" suggests an ongoing journey. Encourage others to step through this door and continue growing in their relationship with Christ.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the report of Paul and Barnabas in Acts 14:27 inspire you to share your own testimony with others?

2. In what ways can you be more intentional about reaching out to those who are different from you, as the early church did with the Gentiles?

3. Reflect on a time when you saw God open a "door of faith" in your life or the life of someone you know. How did it impact your faith journey?

4. How can your local church create more opportunities for members to share what God is doing in their lives, similar to the gathering in Antioch?

5. Considering the connection to Colossians 4:3, how can you pray for and support missionaries and evangelists in their work today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Acts 11:18
This verse describes the initial acceptance of Gentiles into the faith, showing the continuity of God's plan to include all nations.

Romans 1:16
Paul speaks of the Gospel being the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Gentile, reinforcing the message of Acts 14:27.

Colossians 4:3
Paul asks for prayer that God may open a door for the message, similar to the "door of faith" opened to the Gentiles in Acts 14:27.
The Door of FaithW. Clarkson Acts 14:27
The Door of FaithR. Tuck Acts 14:27
The Door of Faith'Alexander MaclarenActs 14:27
Apostles and Crusaders on the Same TrackJ. S. Howson, D. D.Acts 14:19-28
Dangers and SuccessesR.A. Redford Acts 14:19-28
End of Paul's First Missionary JourneySermons by the Monday ClubActs 14:19-28
Fickleness of the PopulaceActs 14:19-28
From Derbe to AntiochD. Thomas, D. D.Acts 14:19-28
Stoning the GodsT. Champness.Acts 14:19-28
The Best Gain of a Servant of God Returning HomeActs 14:19-28
The Close of the First Missionary JourneyJ. Parker, D. D.Acts 14:19-28
The End of the First Missionary JourneyM. C. Hazard.Acts 14:19-28
The Fickleness of the LystriansJ. S. Howson, D. D.Acts 14:19-28
The Minister's WorkActs 14:19-28
The Stoning of PaulS. S. TimesActs 14:19-28
Return to Antioch: a Picture of Apostolic ActivityE. Johnson Acts 14:21-28
The Return HomeP.C. Barker Acts 14:21-28
The Work of GodW. Clarkson Acts 14:24-28
Apostles and Crusaders At AntiochJ. S. Howson, D. D.Acts 14:26-28
Apostolic RehearsalR. Treffry., K. Gerok.Acts 14:26-28
God's Open DoorsH. W. Beecher.Acts 14:26-28
Missionary EnterprisesT. Newsome.Acts 14:26-28
Missionary ReportsS. S. TimesActs 14:26-28
The Door of FaithA. Maclaren, D. D.Acts 14:26-28
The Open Gate of SalvationActs 14:26-28
The Report of the MissionDean Vaughan.Acts 14:26-28
People
Barnabas, Hermes, Jupiter, Mercurius, Paul
Places
Attalia, Derbe, Iconium, Lycaonia, Lystra, Pamphylia, Perga, Pisidia, Pisidian Antioch, Syrian Antioch
Topics
Account, Arrival, Arrived, Assembled, Assembly, Church, Declared, Detail, Door, Faith, Gathered, Gentiles, Got, Nations, Open, Opened, Proceeded, Rehearsed, Related, Report, Reported, Working
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Acts 14:27

     1170   God, unity of
     5048   opportunities, and salvation
     5213   assembly
     5299   door
     8025   faith, origins of
     8426   evangelism, motivation

Acts 14:21-28

     5108   Paul, life of

Acts 14:26-27

     7740   missionaries, call
     7757   preaching, effects

Library
Dream and Reality
'The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.' --ACTS xiv. 11. This was the spontaneous instinctive utterance of simple villagers when they saw a deed of power and kindness. Many an English traveller and settler among rude people has been similarly honoured. And in Lycaonia the Apostles were close upon places that were celebrated in Greek mythology as having witnessed the very two gods, here spoken of, wandering among the shepherds and entertained with modest hospitality in their huts. The
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

'The Door of Faith'
'And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.'--ACTS xiv. 27. There are many instances of the occurrence of this metaphor in the New Testament, but none is exactly like this. We read, for example, of 'a great door and effectual' being opened to Paul for the free ministry of the word; and to the angel of the Church in Philadelphia, 'He that openeth and none shall shut' graciously
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Deified and Stoned
'And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. 12. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. 13. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. 14. Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

The Cripple at Lystra
There are two or three points in this narrative to which I shall call your attention to-night, making, however, the lame man the center of the picture. We shall notice, first of all, what preceded this lame man's faith; secondly, wherein lay his faith to be healed; and thirdly, what is the teaching of the miracle itself, and the blessing which the lame man obtained through faith. I. WHAT WAS IT WHICH PRECEDED HIS FAITH? That "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God," is a great and
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 10: 1864

Historical Criticism of Mediæval Amplifications.
But along with the genuine and trustworthy matter, the compiler has embodied much that is unattested and in many cases inherently improbable, and even some things that are demonstrably untrue. i. The Miraculous Details.--To the category of the improbable--the fiction of hagiology or the growth of myth--belong the miracles so freely ascribed to Ephraim and the miraculous events represented as attending on his career. It is noteworthy that Ephraim himself, though no doubt he believed that he was
Ephraim the Syrian—Hymns and Homilies of Ephraim the Syrian

St. Barnabas' Day. We Preach unto You that Ye Should Turn from These Vanities unto the Living God which Made Heaven
St. Barnabas' Day. We preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: who in time past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless He left not Himself without witness, in that He did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. 7,7,7,7,7,7,7,7,7,7 Sollt ich meinem Gott nicht singen [130]Paul Gerhardt. 1659. trans. by Catherine
Catherine Winkworth—Lyra Germanica: The Christian Year

Whether it was Fitting that Christ Should be Transfigured?
Objection 1: It would seem that it was not fitting that Christ should be transfigured. For it is not fitting for a true body to be changed into various shapes [figuras], but only for an imaginary body. Now Christ's body was not imaginary, but real, as stated above ([4222]Q[5], A[1]). Therefore it seems that it should not have been transfigured. Objection 2: Further, figure is in the fourth species of quality, whereas clarity is in the third, since it is a sensible quality. Therefore Christ's assuming
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Of Bearing the Cross --One Branch of Self-Denial.
1. What the cross is. By whom, and on whom, and for what cause imposed. Its necessity and dignity. 2. The cross necessary. 1. To humble our pride. 2. To make us apply to God for aid. Example of David. 3. To give us experience of God's presence. 3. Manifold uses of the cross. 1. Produces patience, hope, and firm confidence in God, gives us victory and perseverance. Faith invincible. 4. 2. Frames us to obedience. Example of Abraham. This training how useful. 5. The cross necessary to subdue the wantonness
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Jewish Rejecters and Gentile Receivers
'And the next Sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. 45. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. 46. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. 47. For so hath the
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Paul at Athens
'Then Paul stood In the midst of Mars-hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. 23. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To the Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. 24. God, that made the world, and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25. Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though He needed
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

The Publisher to the Reader.
There are no sermons I know of any divine or pastor in this kingdom, that have been more frequently printed, or more universally read and esteemed, than the elegant and judicious discourses of Mr. Binning, which were published after his death, at different times, in four small volumes. As there was a great demand for these valuable writings, about twenty six years ago; so these printed copies of them were compared with his own manuscript copy now in my hand, carefully revised, and then printed, in
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Of Bearing the Cross --One Branch of Self-Denial.
The four divisions of this chapter are,--I. The nature of the cross, its necessity and dignity, sec. 1, 2. II. The manifold advantages of the cross described, sec. 3-6. III. The form of the cross the most excellent of all, and yet it by no means removes all sense of pain, sec. 7, 8. IV. A description of warfare under the cross, and of true patience, (not that of philosophers,) after the example of Christ, sec. 9-11. 1. THE pious mind must ascend still higher, namely, whither Christ calls his disciples
Archpriest John Iliytch Sergieff—On the Christian Life

Apostles To-Day?
"Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are ye not my work in the Lord?"--1 Cor. ix. 1. We may not take leave of the apostolate without a last look at the circle of its members. It is a closed circle; and every effort to reopen it tends to efface a characteristic of the New Covenant. And yet the effort is being made again and again. We see it in Rome's apostolic succession; in the Ethical view gradually effacing the boundary-line between the apostles and believers;
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Letter xi (Circa A. D. 1120) the Abbot of Saint Nicasius at Rheims
The Abbot of Saint Nicasius at Rheims He consoles this abbot for the departure of the Monk Drogo and his transfer to another monastery, and exhorts him to patience. 1. How much I sympathize with your trouble only He knows who bore the griefs of all in His own body. How willingly would I advise you if I knew what to say, or help you if I were able, as efficaciously as I would wish that He who knows and can do all things should advise and assist me in all my necessities. If brother Drogo had consulted
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

The Sovereignty of God in Reprobation
"Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God" (Rom. 11:22). In the last chapter when treating of the Sovereignty of God the Father in Salvation, we examined seven passages which represent Him as making a choice from among the children of men, and predestinating certain ones to be conformed to the image of His Son. The thoughtful reader will naturally ask, And what of those who were not "ordained to eternal life?" The answer which is usually returned to this question, even by those who profess
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

Holy violence
"But," says one, "do you wish us to understand, that if a man is to be saved he must use violence and vehement earnestness in order to obtain salvation?" I do, most assuredly; that is the doctrine of the text. "But," says one, "I thought it was all the work of God." So it is, from first to last. But when God has begun the work in the soul, the constant effect of God's work in us is to set us working; and where God's Spirit is really striving with us, we shall begin to strive too. This is just a test
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859

Phil. 1:01 the Rights and Duties of Lay Churchmen.
[19] "Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons."--Phil. 1:1. THIS opening verse of St. Paul's Epistle to the Philippians is a very remarkable text of Scripture. I suspect it receives far less attention from Bible- readers than it deserves. Like the gold of California, men have walked over it for centuries, and have not observed what was under their feet. In fact, if some Anglican divines had stood at the
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times

Though These Eternal Moral Obligations are Indeed of Themselves Incumbent on all Rational Beings,
even antecedent to the consideration of their being the positive will and command of God, yet that which most strongly confirms, and in practice most effectually and indispensably enforces them upon us, is this; that both from the perfections of God, and the nature of things, and from several other collateral considerations, it appears, that as God is himself necessarily just and good in the exercise of his infinite power in the government of the whole world, so he cannot but likewise positively
Samuel Clarke—A Discourse Concerning the Being and Attributes of God

The Extension of the Church Throughout the World
A.D. 45-70 Section 1. The First Mission to the Gentiles. [Sidenote: A.D. 45.] [Sidenote: St. Paul and St. Barnabas sent to preach to the heathen.] It would seem that in the special Eucharistic offerings and Lenten discipline mentioned by St. Luke[1], the Church in Antioch was seeking guidance of her Divine Head as to her duties with respect to the gentile world in the midst of which she was placed; and that the command of the Holy Ghost to consecrate St. Paul and St. Barnabas as Apostles to the
John Henry Blunt—A Key to the Knowledge of Church History

Concerning Persecution
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10 We are now come to the last beatitude: Blessed are they which are persecuted . . '. Our Lord Christ would have us reckon the cost. Which of you intending to build a tower sitteth not down first and counteth the cost, whether he have enough to finish it?' (Luke 14:28). Religion will cost us the tears of repentance and the blood of persecution. But we see here a great encouragement that may
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Epistle xxxix. To Anastasius, Bishop .
To Anastasius, Bishop [1602] . Gregory to Anastasius, Bishop of Antioch. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of good will (Luke ii. 14), because that great river which once had left the rocks of Antioch dry has returned at length to its proper channel, and waters the subject valleys that are near, so as also to bring forth fruit, some thirty-fold, some sixty-fold, and some an hundred-fold. For now there is no doubt that many flowers of souls are growing up in its valleys, and that
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Messiah Suffering and Wounded for Us
Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: ..... He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. W hen our Lord was transfigured, Moses and Elijah appeared in glory and conversed with Him. Had we been informed of the interview only, we should probably have desired to know the subject of their conversation, as we might reasonably suppose it turned upon very interesting and important
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

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