Paul’s sermon in Lystra, recorded in Acts 14:15-17, marks a unique moment in his ministry, as he shifts from Jewish Scriptural arguments to an appeal based on general revelation. Unlike his previous sermons, which relied on Old Testament prophecy, Paul now spoke to a Gentile audience unfamiliar with the Hebrew Scriptures. This change in approach came after a miraculous healing, when Paul and Barnabas were mistaken for gods—a misunderstanding that prompted Paul to boldly declare that the one true God is the Creator and Sustainer of all things.
This moment reflects an important dispensational transition. While Israel had the special revelation of the Law and the Prophets, the Gentiles had the general revelation of creation as evidence of God’s existence. Paul’s message to the pagans in Lystra foreshadowed the broader shift toward Gentile evangelism, as God’s redemptive plan extended beyond Israel. By examining the setting of this sermon, analyzing Paul’s argument, and considering its dispensational significance, we see how God’s witness to humanity has always been evident—even apart from the Law of Moses.
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The Setting: A Miracle Leads to a Misunderstanding
During Paul’s first missionary journey, he and Barnabas traveled to Lystra, a city in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). Unlike in previous cities where they preached in synagogues, Lystra had no significant Jewish population. Instead, Paul and Barnabas encountered a predominantly pagan and polytheistic culture.
As Paul preached, he noticed a man who had been lame from birth listening intently. Recognizing his faith, Paul commanded him to stand, and in a miraculous display of God’s power, the man jumped up and began to walk (Acts 14:8-10). The stunned crowd immediately misinterpreted the miracle, believing that Paul and Barnabas were gods in human form. Their reaction was rooted in local mythology, influenced by Greek and Roman beliefs, particularly the idea that Zeus (Jupiter) and Hermes (Mercury) had once visited the region in disguise. Thinking history was repeating itself, they identified Barnabas as Zeus and Paul as Hermes, since Paul was the chief speaker.
The city’s priest of Zeus prepared sacrifices to honor them, ready to offer worship in their name (Acts 14:13). This moment created an urgent theological crisis—Paul and Barnabas had to correct this blasphemous misunderstanding before it escalated further. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, they tore their clothes in distress, a sign of mourning and rejection of idolatry. Paul then addressed the crowd, redirecting their worship away from false gods and toward the true Creator.
Paul’s Sermon: Proclaiming the One True God
Paul’s response was clear and emphatic. His sermon in Lystra contained three key themes: turning from useless idols to the living God, recognizing God as the Creator of all things, and understanding that God’s goodness is evident in creation.
He began with a direct rebuke of their idolatry, saying, “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God” (Acts 14:15). His first point was to immediately refute the idea that he and Barnabas were divine, emphasizing that they were mere men. More importantly, he called the people to reject their idolatry and embrace the truth of the living God, a radical challenge in a society where idol worship was deeply ingrained. Unlike his messages to Jewish audiences, Paul did not begin with Old Testament prophecy but with a fundamental theological principle—the distinction between false gods and the one true God.
He then established who the true God is, declaring, “The living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them” (Acts 14:15b). By emphasizing God as the Creator, Paul provided a foundation that the Gentiles could grasp. Since they were unfamiliar with the Law of Moses, he appealed to the natural world around them, arguing that creation itself testifies to God’s existence. This approach mirrored the argument he later expanded upon in Romans 1:20, where he stated that God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen in creation so that no one has an excuse for unbelief.
Paul further explained that, in the past, God had allowed nations to go their own way but had never left Himself without a witness. He reassured them that even though they had not known the true God, He had always been present, providing evidence of His existence through His providence. “Yet He has not left Himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; He provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy” (Acts 14:17). By highlighting God’s provision of rain, food, and joy, Paul connected the truth of God’s existence to the daily experiences of the Lystrans. Rather than presenting a distant or impersonal deity, he described a God who actively sustains life and demonstrates His goodness through His creation.
The Dispensational Significance: The Shift Toward Gentiles
Paul’s sermon in Lystra illustrates the expanding scope of the Gospel. Under the Mosaic Covenant, Israel had been given special revelation through the Law, the Prophets, and direct encounters with God. In contrast, the Gentiles, who did not have this revelation, were held accountable for responding to general revelation—the testimony of creation and God’s providence. Paul’s speech marked a significant transition in his ministry, as he adapted his approach to effectively reach non-Jewish audiences.
From a dispensational perspective, this moment aligns with the broader shift in God’s redemptive plan. Israel’s rejection of Christ led to a greater focus on Gentile evangelism, fulfilling Paul’s declaration in Acts 13:46 that he would turn to the Gentiles. However, this transition did not negate God’s promises to Israel but reflected the unfolding of the Church Age, in which both Jews and Gentiles could come to faith in Christ apart from the Law. The Gospel remained universal, but its presentation varied depending on the audience.
Paul’s use of general revelation in Lystra also underscores a key theological truth: God has always made Himself known to humanity. Whether through the Law given to Israel or through creation’s testimony to the Gentiles, God has provided sufficient evidence for people to seek Him. Those who reject this revelation do so not out of ignorance but out of willful unbelief, a theme echoed in Romans 1:21-23.
Conclusion: A Message for a Pagan World
Paul’s speech in Lystra was a powerful declaration that God is the true Creator and Sustainer of life. Unlike his previous sermons, which relied on Old Testament prophecy, this message was tailored for a Gentile audience, using general revelation to point to the one true God. His response to the Lystrans’ misunderstanding demonstrated both theological clarity and cultural sensitivity, correcting their error while guiding them toward the truth.
Though the people of Lystra initially misunderstood Paul’s message, his words remain a crucial example of how the Gospel can be effectively communicated across different cultures. This passage also serves as a reminder that God’s testimony is all around us—through creation, provision, and the joy He places in our hearts. Even in societies steeped in false beliefs, God continues to reveal Himself, inviting all people to turn from worthless idols and worship the living God.
For believers today, Paul’s sermon in Lystra underscores the importance of meeting people where they are, using the truth of God’s existence as revealed in the world around us to lead them toward faith in Christ. It also reinforces that, regardless of background, all people are accountable to respond to the truth. One day, when Christ returns, the entire world will recognize the one true God, and every knee will bow before Him. Until then, we are called to proclaim His name boldly, just as Paul did in Lystra.
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen.” (Romans 1:20)
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