MISTAKEN IDENTITY

August 27

Bible Reading: Acts 14:8-15

Acts 4:11, “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!”

Lystra, situated in modern-day Turkey, was a predominantly Gentile community.  The people there worshipped a pantheon of gods, reflecting their deeply engrained idolatry.  According to a local legend, Zeus and Hermes had once visited the region of Lystra disguised as mere mortals.  All rejected them except for one couple, Philemon and Baucis. As a result, Zeus and Hermes punished the entire region, except for those two, who the gods then made to be guardians of a magnificent temple.   Upon their deaths, the couple were supposedly transformed into two giant trees as a memorial to their kindness.  This folklore had become part of the cultural fabric of Lystra.

Keep that in mind as you consider what happened when Paul and Barnabas came to town and encountered the man crippled from birth.  Moved by the man’s faith, Paul healed him, and the man immediately sprang up and began to walk. Witnessing this miraculous event, the astonished crowd thought Barnabas and Paul to be Zeus and Hermes.  The priest of Zeus, zealous to not repeat that previous mistake and eager to honor what he believed to be the return of the gods, brought oxen and garlands, preparing to offer sacrifices to them.

Paul and Barnabas felt horrified when they realized what was happening. They tore their garments and dissuaded the men, urging the people to abandon their idolatry and worship the true, living God who created all things.  Paul and Barnabas struggled to divert their attention from themselves to God. Instead of accepting the adulation and benefits that came with being mistaken for gods, they steadfastly redirected the people’s worship toward the true Creator. This contrasts with the earlier account of Herod in Acts 12, who, unlike Paul and Barnabas, failed to give glory to God when he was praised by men—a failure that led to his downfall.

The people of Lystra not only mistook the identity of Paul and Barnabas, but they were also drastically confused about God Himself. Zeus, Hermes, and the myth of the two giant trees were mere fables—empty stories with no basis in reality and certainly not deserving of worship. This episode highlights the human tendency toward idolatry and the ease with which people can be led astray by myths. Yet, amid this confusion, the true God made Himself known to the people of Lystra through the message of Paul and Barnabas.  Some did indeed turn from their idols to serve the living and true God (1 Thessalonians 1:9).

God alone is worthy of worship!

JOYFUL, JOYFUL, WE ADORE THEE!
Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee,
Op’ning to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day!

All Thy works with joy surround Thee,
Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee,
Center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Flow’ry meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain
Call us to rejoice in Thee.

Thou art giving and forgiving,
Ever blessing, ever blest,
Wellspring of the joy of living,
Ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother,
All who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals, join the happy chorus,
Which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us,
Brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us Sunward
In the triumph song of life.

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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