Acts 14:18
And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.
Acts 14:18
Even as Paul and Barnabas spoke, the crowd was barely restrained from offering sacrifices to them. Luke notes that these sayings were so persuasive yet so dangerous that the crowd nearly carried out the ritual act. This moment reveals the fragility of early Christian mission: the line between proclamation and idol-making is thin. The apostles’ message must be understood in a culture that often reads divine action as something to be appropriated personally through worship of the recipient. The verse sets up the need for clear doctrinal correction, which Paul and Barnabas provide in the following verses.
This moment emphasizes the need for humility and the dangers of self-aggrandizement in ministry. It also highlights the necessity to distinguish between divine praise and human praise. The episode underlines that God alone deserves worship and that true gospel ministry must redirect worship to the Creator.
In today’s church, we must remain vigilant against ego inflation when ministry outcomes seem successful. Celebrate God’s work, but guard against turning evangelists or healers into idols. Encourage healthy accountability, teach robust theology about God’s worthiness, and train leaders to deflect glory back to God. Use opportunities where people praise individuals to redirect to Jesus, ensuring that worship remains rightly directed.
Cross-References: Matthew 23:5–12; 1 Corinthians 3:1–9; Galatians 6:14; 1 Peter 4:11