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Missionary Journeys Collection Exhibit 9 of 10

Missionary Journeys Collection

MJ-009

Derbe

Many Disciples Made at the Edge of the Outward Journey

Fruit After the Storm • Disciples Made • The Turning Point Home

“And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch...” — Acts 14:21, NKJV

Explore This Stop View Featured Artwork

Welcome to the Exhibit

Many Disciples Were Made

After the violent events at Lystra, Paul and Barnabas continued to Derbe. Acts describes the ministry there with remarkable simplicity: they preached the gospel and made many disciples.

Derbe stands near the farthest point of the outward journey. From here, instead of simply choosing the easiest road home, Paul and Barnabas deliberately turned back toward the very cities where they had already faced opposition.

Journey Orientation

Where Are We in Paul’s Journey?

Current Stop: Derbe

The Praise Aflame™ Biblical Museum & Resource Centre

Missionary Journeys Permanent Collection

Derbe

Acts 14:20–21

ExhibitMJ-009
Approximate DateMid-First Century AD
Ancient RegionLycaonia
Journey RoleMany disciples made

Biblical Significance: At Derbe, Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel and made many disciples. The city marks the outward journey’s farthest recorded ministry point before the missionaries begin returning through the churches they had planted.

The Biblical Record

Acts 14:20–21

After Paul rose and entered Lystra again, he departed the next day with Barnabas for Derbe.

There they preached the gospel and made many disciples. Then, rather than continuing farther east, they began the return journey through Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch.

Summary of Acts 14:20–21

The Story at Derbe

Three Simple Words With Enormous Meaning

01

They Preached the Gospel

The mission remained centered on the message they had carried from the beginning: the gospel of Jesus Christ.

02

They Made Many Disciples

Luke does not merely say that people listened. He specifically says many disciples were made.

03

They Turned Back

Derbe becomes the pivot point. Paul and Barnabas now begin retracing their path through the churches.

04

The Mission Was Not Finished

Reaching new people was only part of the assignment. The new believers still needed strengthening, encouragement, and leadership.

A Strategic Turning Point

Why Not Simply Go Home?

From Derbe, Paul and Barnabas could have chosen a route that avoided the cities where opposition had been strongest. Instead, Acts says they returned through Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch.

That decision reveals something fundamental about Paul’s ministry: the goal was not merely to gather converts. The goal was to establish disciples who could remain faithful after the missionaries left.

Historical Background

Derbe in the Lycaonian World

An Inland City of Asia Minor

Derbe belonged to the inland world of southern Asia Minor. Its location placed Paul and Barnabas deep within the interior, far from their starting point at Antioch in Syria.

A Location Still Discussed

The precise identification of ancient Derbe has been discussed by historians and archaeologists. Several discoveries in central Türkiye have contributed to the study of its location.

For that reason, this exhibit avoids claiming more precision than the available evidence securely supports.

Archaeologist’s Note

Derbe is an excellent example of why biblical archaeology requires careful language. Ancient names, inscriptions, settlement remains, and geography must be considered together.

Museum Note: The featured artwork is an educational reconstruction. It is designed to convey the biblical event and regional environment, not to claim that every building shown has been archaeologically identified.

Follow the Route

Derbe represents the final major outward stop shown in this museum sequence. From here, the route reverses and Paul and Barnabas revisit the new churches.

View Derbe on the Interactive Journey Map

Why This Stop Matters

Fruit Is Measured in Disciples

Derbe is striking because Luke does not describe a dramatic confrontation, a riot, or a miracle. Instead, he gives us something quieter: the gospel was preached and many disciples were made.

That simplicity keeps the focus where it belongs. The lasting fruit of ministry is not spectacle but transformed people learning to follow Christ.

Curator’s Reflection

Not Every Great Work Is Dramatic

The previous stop at Lystra was filled with extraordinary events. Derbe is described much more quietly.

Sometimes the most important sentence is simply: “they made many disciples.”

The kingdom of God often advances through patient teaching, faithful relationships, and people learning to walk with Christ.

— Praise Aflame™ Biblical Museum & Resource Centre

Life Application

Look Beyond the Moment

A powerful event may open a heart, but discipleship requires time. Paul’s journey reminds us to think beyond the immediate response toward growth, maturity, and faithfulness.

Consider: Who are you helping move from simply hearing the message toward actually becoming a disciple of Jesus?

Before You Continue...

What Have You Received?

Every exhibit is designed to encourage you to return to Scripture with greater understanding, deeper confidence, and renewed wonder.

Take a Quiet Moment: What did Derbe teach you about fruitfulness, discipleship, perseverance, and the difference between reaching people and strengthening people?

Explore More

Related Museum Resources

Previous Exhibit

MJ-008 Lystra

Return to the dramatic healing, attempted worship, persecution, and stoning of Paul.

Interactive Resource

First Missionary Journey Map

Follow the entire outward route and the return path back through the churches.

Missionary Journeys

The Journey of Paul

Explore the larger story of Paul’s calling, travels, churches, opposition, perseverance, and legacy.

Continue Your Journey

Next: Strengthening the Churches

You have now completed Exhibit MJ-009 — Derbe. The outward journey has reached its turning point.

Paul and Barnabas now return through Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and appointing elders in every church.

← Previous: MJ-008 Lystra Interactive Journey Map Continue to MJ-010 Return Journey →

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Psalm 119:105, NKJV