Acts 15:1-7

A Great Multitude In Iconium Believed

When Paul and Barnabas arrived in Iconium, they immediately went to the synagogue and seized upon an opportunity to preach. Though no record is left of their exact words, Luke does let us know that the message was powerful enough to move a great multitude, comprised of both Jews and Gentiles, to obedient belief. However, those Jews who refused to obey the gospel did all they could to poison the thinking of the Gentile citizens, as well as the authorities very likely, so Paul and Barnabas could have no further impact on the city.

Nonetheless, they stayed on for some time in the city. As they preached, the Lord caused great miracles to be worked by them, thereby confirming the words as being from Him (Hebrews 2:3-4). The city continued to be divided into two groups, those who obediently believed the preached word and those who demonstrated their lack of belief by refusing to obey. The enemies of preaching conspired to work physical harm on the preachers, even to the point of stoning. So, they moved on and preached the gospel in Lystra and Derbe (Acts 14:1-7).