Acts 14:1-18 Bible Teaching

Iconium’s Division and Divine Witness

In Acts 14:1-18, we find Paul and Barnabas embarking on their missionary journey to Iconium, a city rich in history and culture. Their mission was clear: to spread the gospel and establish a community of believers. As they spoke with power and influence, a great multitude of Jews and Greeks came to believe, forming an ekklasia, or a called-out assembly.

However, their success was met with resistance. Unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, poisoning their minds against the new believers. Despite this, Paul and Barnabas remained steadfast, speaking boldly for the Lord. Their message was confirmed by signs and wonders, a testament to the truth they preached.

The city of Iconium became divided, a schism that was not of God’s making. This division was violent, a tearing apart that left both sides tattered. In contrast, God’s divisions are clean and purposeful, allowing for future reconciliation.

As tensions rose, Paul and Barnabas fled to Lystra and Derbe, continuing their mission. In Lystra, a miraculous healing of a man crippled from birth led the people to mistakenly believe that the gods had come down in human form. They called Barnabas “Jupiter” and Paul “Mercurius,” reflecting their pagan beliefs.

Paul and Barnabas quickly corrected this misunderstanding, urging the people to turn from these vanities to the living God. They emphasized that they were mere men, sharing the same passions, and that the true God had always left a witness of His goodness through the natural world.

This passage highlights the challenges and triumphs of early missionary work, the power of faith, and the importance of directing glory to God alone. It serves as a reminder that while miracles can affirm faith, it is the consistent message of the gospel and the fruit of the Spirit that truly transform lives.