Paul and Barnabas faced so many trials due to their dedication to preach God’s Word, but only became stronger and influenced more people after each trial. God was with them.
For example, they traveled to a Greek city-state called Iconium. Iconium was a prosperous commercial and agricultural center with five large roads going out from it. They preached in a Jewish synagogue there with the result that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed in Christ. [1]
Wow! Angels rejoice over one sinner who repents. [2] Many had believed, so heaven must have been full of celebration that day.
Paul and Barnabas must have been happy! I know that I have no greater joy than when the Lord uses my life to lead someone to faith in Him.
Life on earth would be so great if it was always about successes with no setbacks. BUT... the very next verse says that unbelievers poisoned the people’s minds against the preachers. “But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren.” [3]
“’Poisoned their minds against the brothers’ - literally translated - they ‘made their souls evil against,’ pointing to an assault on the feelings not intellect. The ‘soul’ is that inward place of feeling that may be influenced by others.” [4]
So what did Paul and his team do? Surprisingly, they stayed. “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.” [5]
The people of Iconium were blessed with bold speakers for the Lord. They spoke of God’s grace. God did signs and wonders among them.
Paul and Barnabas stayed in Iconium until a violent attempt was made by people with their rulers to abuse and stone them. When they became aware of the plot, they fled to others cities and preached the gospel there. [6]
In Lystra, Barnabas and Paul were blessed once again with a large audience of listeners. Praise God! Every preacher’s dream!
However, their success was tempered with another setback. Those who opposed their preaching in Antioch and Iconium came to Lystra. The opposition persuaded the crowds to stone Paul. They dragged him out of the city. They supposed he was dead, but he wasn’t. What did he do, he got up, went back into the city, and departed the next day to another city (Derbe). [7]
They made many disciples in Derbe. Then, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch... the cities where they experienced ill-treatment from the enemies of the Gospel. They strengthened the souls of the disciples. How did they do this? They exhorted them to continue in the faith. Their message to disciples was, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” [8]
“Dear Heavenly Father, please revive in us Your people, a fervency to preach Christ to unbelievers, and to strengthen them to become His disciples. This I pray in Your Son’s Name, Jesus Christ, and by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.”
[1] Acts 14:1
[2] Luke 15:7, 10
[3] Acts 14:2
[4] Enduring Word Commentary
[5] Acts 14:3
[6] Acts 14:5-7
[7] Acts 14:19-20
[8] Acts 14:21-22
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