Saturday, November 22, 2014

Footsteps of Paul: Iconium

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.
But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles,
and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

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.

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


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:
Acts 14:1-6
"The increasing popularity of the message borne by the apostles, filled the unbelieving Jews with envy and hatred, and they determined to stop the labors of Paul and Barnabas at once. By means of false and exaggerated reports they led the authorities to fear that the entire city was in danger of being incited to insurrection. They declared that large numbers were attaching themselves to the apostles and suggested that it was for secret and dangerous designs." Acts of the Apostles p.178 E.G.W.