Just as they had done in Cyprus and Antioch, Paul and Barnabas spoke God's Word boldly in the synagogue of the Jews and among the Gentiles. Many of those who heard the Word of God believed and there was a mighty turn to God in the city of Iconium. But not all was kindness and light.
Acts 14:2
But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.
Sometimes we think that when God sends forth His Word peace and harmony prevail. But, in each place that Paul and Barnabas spoke God's Word it upset the established order of the religious community and to a large degree resulted in confusion and division. What happened here in Iconium was not just an isolated instance. Remember, they had just been thrown out of Antioch for preaching God's Word. Did the negative attitude of those who did not believe stop Paul and Barnabas from speaking the Word? Not at all.
Acts 14:3
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.
How could Paul and Barnabas stop speaking God's Word when He continued to back it up with great signs and wonders? Despite the wonders of His grace witnessed by the people, there were many who did not believe God's powerful Word.
Acts 14:4
But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
In the city of Iconium there was division and confusion. Not just a home or synagogue was divided but the entire city. The trouble did not quiet as Paul and Barnabas continued to speak and work signs and wonders. Rather, the division and tension grew to the point of a planned assault.
Acts 14:5
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, . . .
The division in the city rose to the point of riot and violence. Again, some will say that this could not be a true move of God if the result was division and violence. Yet this is what happened and still does happen today when the truth of God's Word is taught and believed. Satan and the power of darkness that is behind the organized systems of this world, even though cloaked in religion, will fight when exposed by the truth of God's Word spoken boldly by believers. Evil hides in the darkness of this world and will respond negatively when revealed by the light of God's rightly divided Word. It is not peace and harmony that testify to the move of God. Nor is it the trouble and division that is evidence of God's move. It was God's power, signs and wonders which followed the Word spoken by Paul and Barnabas that gave testimony to the word of His grace.
Acts 14:5-6
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.
Paul and Barnabas, barely escaped with their lives from Iconium, but they moved on and immediately began once more to speak the Word of God. Not many of us would welcome this kind of response as we speak the Word of God, yet this was a very powerful move of God. As believers we need to stand like-minded on God's Word and hold it forth boldly to those who desire to hear and believe. Certainly, in our day and time, we need also to be well established in the kindness and love of God and endeavor to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. We are all members of the body of Christ and should not be divided as believers. Unity is imperative as we move forward in spite of the opposition that surely will arise as we move God's Word.
Gladly
Acts