BIBLE CUSTOMS AND CURIOSITIES (GOD IN HUMAN FORM)

During Paul’s first missionary journey, he and Barnabas visited the city of Lystra in the province of Lycaonia. After Paul preached the gospel to the people of the city, he healed a crippled man. They were so impressed that they hailed the missionaries as pagan gods who had come down to them “in the likeness of men” (Acts 14:11).

Jupiter was the supreme god of all the pagan deities. Mercurius was the god of speech and eloquence. Since Paul was the chief speaker, the people identified him as Mercurius.

Acts 14:12 – ¹² And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.