Proclaiming the True God
Acts 14:11–13 (NASB95)
11When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have become like men and have come down to us.” 12And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.
We witness a fascinating episode where a miraculous healing leads the local crowd to an attempted veneration of Paul and Barnabas. Steeped in Greco-Roman and indigenous Phrygian traditions, the people are predisposed to view extraordinary events through the lens of their own cultural myths. Influenced by stories in which deities arrived in human form—myths such as those surrounding Zeus and Hermes or the tale of Baucis and Philemon—they mistakenly exalt Paul and Barnabas as divine figures. Luke, however, deliberately presents this misunderstanding to highlight an essential theological truth: while the undeniable power of God is made manifest through miracles, the agents of that power remain His servants. The true God, who alone is worthy of ultimate honor and worship, works through these men, revealing a reality that far surpasses human interpretations of divinity shaped by local custom and literary tropes.
Today, we continue to face cultural forces that can blur the line between genuine divine work and the human tendency to idolize charismatic figures. In an age where celebrity worship and distorted perceptions of authority are prevalent, it is crucial for our ministries to constantly redirect praise to God alone. As we witness supernatural testimonies or compelling acts of service in our communities, let us remember that these wonders point not to the individuals involved but to the greater power of Jesus at work among us. May we cultivate discernment by grounding our understandings in Scripture, ensuring that our hearts are oriented toward the One who always deserves glory, and by fostering an environment where true spiritual transformation is celebrated—not the human likeness of divine power.