Acts 14:12-28

12They began calling Barnabas, Zeus [chief of the Greek gods], and Paul, Hermes [messenger of the Greek gods], since he took the lead in speaking.

13The priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance of the city, brought bulls and garlands to the city gates, and wanted to offer sacrifices with the crowds.

14But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard about it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting,

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.

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

17yet 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.”

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

19But 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.

20But 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.

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

22strengthening 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.”

23When 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].

24Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia.

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

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

27Arriving 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].

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