Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.
Acts 14:1-7
After avoiding further persecution at Antioch in Asia, Paul and Barnabas fled to Iconium. There, they entered the synagogue and spoke in a mighty way of the gospel and many Jews and Greeks were converted to Christ. But, as will occur in most places, the unbelieving Jews stir up both Jews and Gentiles against Paul and his teachings. At first, these stirrings were not much trouble for Paul and Barnabas. But, after a long time of boldly preaching and teaching, of performing signs and wonders that attested to their authenticity, the people of Iconium remained divided over the gospel message though many Jews and Gentiles had become converts to Jesus Christ. The unbelievers, both Jew and Gentile alike, sought any way they could through the governing officials to mistreat Paul and Barnabas, even to stone them if possible. When this was discovered by Paul and Barnabas, they fled from Iconium and arrived in Lystra and Derbe, in the region of Lycaonia. This region is land-locked in the Taurus Mountains and surrounded by Cappadocia, Galatia, Phrygia and, Pisidia. We will see these names again as Paul advances the gospel message into these areas. This is the first of several missionary journeys Paul will take, returning to the church at Antioch, Syria, to report the progress of the spread of the gospel. Paul and Barnabas are demonstrating to later Christians how to spread the gospel message. It is a template used today by many missionaries in the world. There is a story of a church in a province of China who recently sent 72 church members into the surrounding provinces to spread the gospel. They were sent in pairs and given very little with which to survive because the church was an underground church and was very poor. The missionaries were to report back to the church in 2 years of how their mission work had progressed as the church itself would pray daily for their missionaries and their work. Most of the missionaries suffered greatly, personally and spiritually, for the Lord. Like Paul and Barnabas, these missionaries continued their messages of salvation in Jesus Christ and, though persecuted, they were preserved by the Holy Spirit and returned with joy and thanksgiving for all that God had done in the work they had done for Jesus Christ. May Christians everywhere pray earnestly for those whom the Holy Spirit has called to take the gospel message to unbelievers and to suffer in the name of Christ that some may be saved.
Source: S C Ball July 3, 2023
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