Starting The Church In Iconium

Acts 14:1-7

Paul and Barnabas were driven out of Antioch of Pisidia because the Jews were jealous of their impact on the Gentiles, and stirred up the stable and respectable people of the city. The church remained but Paul and Barnabas went to Iconium to relieve the pressure.

“And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.” (Acts 14:1)

In Antioch of Pisidia, Paul had turned to the Gentiles because the Jews had largely rejected the gospel. This does not imply that he, or God has turned his back on the Jews. In Iconium, Paul and Barnabas again started by going to the synagogue and speaking to those people. Just as in Antioch, a large contingent of the Jews were converted, believing in Christ, as well as many of the Greeks who’d converted to Judaism.

“But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.” (Acts 4:2)

Just as at Antioch, and at Jerusalem, the strongest opposition came from those who had the most knowledge of the truth and reject it. On the Navajo Reservation, we have faced far more opposition from supposedly Christian groups including Presbyterians, Church of Christ, Catholic and Native American church, than from the traditional Navajo religion. At the same time, we were told that if we’d just join their local ministerial group, they’d help us out. Had Paul and Barnabas been willing to just incorporate Christianity as a part of the Jewish belief, the Jews would probably have welcomed them. Focusing on Christ instead offended them. It still offends those who really don’t believe.

“Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.” (Acts 14:3)

Despite the opposition, Paul and Barnabas stayed a long time. We have no time frame, but in some later churches, they stayed several years, so this could have been quite a while. The Holy Spirit was active again in this church, and it became strong.

“But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.” (Acts 14:4)

The gospel always produces division, because some choose to reject God. In Luke 12:51, Jesus warned, “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division.” While we are to try to live at peace with everyone, we must not compromise our beliefs. John 16:2-3 warns, “They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.”

The reason for the division is that many don’t really know the Lord, although they think they do. Their opposition to the gospel clearly identifies them, Matthew 7:20-23 states, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

“And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them, They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: And there they preached the gospel.” (Acts 14:5-7)

Led of the Holy Spirit, Paul and Barnabas did not deliberately stay in Iconium when an attempt was made on their lives. Jesus had commanded that if they would not receive you, you were to shake the dust off your feet and go your way. That is what they did in Antioch, and they did it again in Iconium. God provided others who led the church when they left Iconium, going to Lystra and Derbe. Timothy’s mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois were saved in Derbe, Timothy grew up in the Church at Derbe, and developed a good reputation among the Christians in Iconiun and Lystra. In Acts 16, when Paul again visited these Churches, he took Timothy with him as an intern.