Two Responses to Jesus (Acts 14:1-7)
A. The Lord worked through Paul and Barnabas
1) There were both Jews and Greeks among those who accepted or rejected Jesus
At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. (1,2)
2) The Lord revealed himself through their work
So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders. (3)
B. What will you do?
1) The Lord's work divided the city
The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. There was a plot afoot among the Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. (4,5)
2) Fleeing trouble, the two men continued to tell others about Jesus
But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, where they continued to preach the good news. (6,7)
Summary
The message about Jesus that Paul shared divided the city of Iconium into those who believed and wanted to follow, and others who opposed them and planned to persecute them.There were both Jews and Greeks, and Jews and Gentiles among those who believed or refused to believe. There were believers as well as non-believers regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or social status. Ultimately, everyone has to make a decision about whether to serve God or the devil. Those who serve God must follow Jesus, and followers of Jesus often face opposition, but if we cling to the Lord and continue to share Jesus with others boldly, the Lord stands beside us and reveals himself through our work.
For Discussion
1) What types of people believed? What types of people did not believe?
2) What did Paul and Barnabas do when they were mistreated?