Acts 14:15-28 ▼

15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We too are only men of the same nature as you, bringing the good news to you, so that you turn from these useless and meaningless things to the living God, WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA AND EVERYTHING THAT IS IN THEM.

16 In generations past He permitted all the nations to go their own ways;

17 yet He did not leave Himself without some witness [as evidence of Himself], in that He kept constantly doing good things and showing you kindness, and giving you rains from heaven and productive seasons, filling your hearts with food and happiness.”

18 Even saying these words, with difficulty they prevented the people from offering sacrifices to them.

19 But Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead.

20 But the disciples formed a circle around him, and he got up and went back into the city; and the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.

21 They preached the good news to that city and made many disciples, then they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,

22 strengthening and establishing the hearts of the disciples; encouraging them to remain firm in the faith, saying, “It is through many tribulations and hardships that we must enter the kingdom of God.”

23 When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they believed [and joyfully accepted as the Messiah].

24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia.

25 When they had spoken the word [of salvation through faith in Christ] in Perga, they went down to Attalia.

26 From there they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been entrusted to the grace of God for the work which they had now completed.

27 Arriving there, they gathered the church together and began to report [in great detail] everything that God had done with them and how He had opened to the Gentiles a door of faith [in Jesus as the Messiah and Savior].

28 And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.