Paul Was Stoned In Lystra Case Study

1. Did Paul die when he was stoned in Lystra? What is the evidence for each position, yes and no? Paul’s testimony in 2 Corinthians 11 is often associated with this event. Is that valid? What are the reasons why it should or should not be associated with his stoning? In Acts 14:19-20 it states; “Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.” (NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION 2011) The biblical text states that Paul was stoned and dragged outside the city and the perpetrators thought he was dead. I truly don’t believe that

The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.” (NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION 2011) First, I don’t believe Paul was being a hypocrite concerning this circumcision. I realize that this event comes fresh of the heels of the decision from the Council of Jerusalem that had just determined it was not necessary for Gentiles to be circumcised for salvation. My support on this point of view is that Timothy is a grown man and not an infant; he could have resisted or denied Paul’s decision to have him circumcised. I actually believe they both did what was necessary in order for the preaching and teaching of the gospel to continue without interruption or interference. The text even states that Timothy was circumcised because of the Jews who lived in that area and they all knew that Timothy’s father was Greek. I think it is important to note that Timothy’s mother was Jewish and she was a believer, but his father was Greek. Timothy’s mother would have kept the Jewish standards and customs which would have involved circumcision, but his father was Greek and he would not have allowed it to happen. I believe Timothy’s circumcision was a strategy to keep the Jews in that area from rising up and causing issues while they were trying to minister. However; it also witnessed to these Jews that a circumcised fellow Jew was preaching and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and Jews. I think this was a plan by Paul and Timothy to preach and win those Jews to Jesus Christ. I honestly believe this was a plan to keep and continue the ministry of Jesus Christ moving without any