Mistaken Identity

Acts 14:8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, 10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. 11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” 

As Barnabas and Paul continued to infiltrate the Roman provinces with the Gospel, they not only saw these men as Christians - they were so different and full of the Spirit of God they saw them as gods.  The two apostles made it very clear that they were not, but they also pointed out that God had been giving them revelation of Himself throughout history, sending them signs that He was out there waiting to be known and trusted. God had been preparing them for this very moment of hearing the Gospel. As the chapter, and the first missionary journey, concludes, we find Barnabas and Paul were also mistaken as evil troublemakers and often mistreated, but God used them to spread the good news nonetheless.