Proclaiming the True God

Acts 14:14–18 (NASB95) 

14But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out 15and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you 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 the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; 17and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” 18Even saying these things, with difficulty they restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them. 

In this passage Paul and Barnabas are confronted with a profound misunderstanding: the local crowd, caught up in a sacred procession and energetic display of devotion, mistakenly begins to venerate them as divine figures. Horrified by this distortion of their ministry, the apostles quickly redirect the people's attention to the one true God. Rather than accepting human adoration as divine honor, they seize the moment to proclaim that all glory belongs to God—the Creator of heaven, earth, and sea—who, through His benevolence, sustains life, sends blessings like rain for the harvest, and fills hearts with joy. Their message, articulated in language familiar to a pagan audience, not only repudiates the idolatrous practices so prevalent in the local culture but also establishes a clear boundary: the living God, not human mediators or man-made images, is the ultimate source of power and providence. 

 In our contemporary context, we too encounter situations where charismatic leadership or cultural trends can shift focus away from God, inadvertently elevating human figures or ideologies to idol status. Just as Paul and Barnabas acted decisively to correct a misdirected homage, we are called to reaffirm that all honor and glory belong solely to God. In an age marked by celebrity culture and the allure of human achievement, our ministries must clearly articulate and embody the truth that God is the source of life’s blessings—He who provides, creates, and sustains. Let us diligently guard against any form of idolatry, ensuring that our worship and witness remain focused on Jesus, the true living God, and that we actively guide our communities to discern and celebrate His eternal goodness above all else.