Call to Commitment

 Paul and Barnabas at Iconium

     1.      Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so                spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. 

2.     But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. 

3.     Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 

4.     But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles. 

5.     And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, 

6.     they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region. 

7.     And they were preaching the gospel there. 

 Already in 13:51, Luke told us that Paul and Barnabas went down to Iconium. They would have travelled along the Roman road, la Via Sebaste. They entered the Jewish synagogue in that city, very likely on a Saturday and, as in Antioch, the Jewish leaders gave them an opportunity to speak.  Apparently, both Paul and Barbabas spoke, and then we should take notice of three words… so spoke that… suggesting that they spoke with divine enabling, which penetrated the hearts of Jews and proselytes. In the book of Acts, the preachers spoke under Holy Spirit-anointing and a great multitude in the synagogue believed (v. 1).

 The Jews divided… some, along with Gentiles, heard with ears of the heart and received faith, while others resisted and remained in unbelief. No one was neutral, nor can anyone be neutral, upon hearing an anointed gospel. The unbelievers mounted opposition against Paul and Barnabas and their response was also powerful. It produced a demonic poison in the minds of the non-Jewish population (v. 2).

 The apostles met the challenge and battled valiantly for a long time, pitting truth against the poisonous lies of the enemy. As in the closing verse of the book of Mark, it was the Lord, Who entered on the side of truth, bringing in supernatural power, working through Paul and Barnabas with signs of heavenly support and awesome miracles (v. 3):  They went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen (Mk. 16:20). And Jesus made it known, "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword (Mt. 10:34). He said that the result would be; “A MAN'S ENEMIES WILL BE THOSE OF HIS OWN HOUSEHOLD” (Mt. 10:36, quoting Mic. 7:6). The sharp sword of God will always bring division (v. 4).