In Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas arrived in Iconium, a beautiful Greek-influenced city known for its resistance to Roman culture. Once again, they began their ministry in the synagogue, continuing the pattern they had established in previous cities. Despite Paul’s earlier words in Acts 13:46 about turning to the Gentiles, he hadn’t given up on the Jews—he left behind those who had rejected the message in Pisidian Antioch. In Iconium, both Jews and Gentiles believed the gospel (Acts 14:1, NLT).
But just as in other cities, opposition arose—this time from unbelieving Jews who poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against the missionaries and other believers (Acts 14:2). Instead of leaving, Paul and Barnabas stayed, boldly preaching God’s grace and performing miraculous signs to confirm their message (Acts 14:3). These signs were crucial in this transitional period of church history when there was no written New Testament. God used miracles to authenticate the apostles’ teaching (Galatians 3:4–5; Hebrews 2:1–4).
Despite the miracles, a violent plot formed to mistreat and stone the apostles, involving Jews, Gentiles, and possibly local officials (Acts 14:4–5). So Paul and Barnabas fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities in Lycaonia, where they continued to preach (Acts 14:6–7). Their journey reflected the New Testament theme of believers as pilgrims, proclaiming the gospel even when rejected.
In Lystra, a city steeped in paganism and devoid of synagogues, Paul healed a man who had been lame since birth (Acts 14:8–10). The crowd, unfamiliar with Hebrew or Greek theology, responded in a pagan way—declaring the apostles to be gods. They called Barnabas “Zeus” and Paul “Hermes,” assuming divine visitation. Their response was influenced by a local legend in which Zeus and Hermes once visited the area, were rejected by many, and rewarded only one hospitable couple. Fearing similar consequences, the people tried to offer sacrifices (Acts 14:11–13).
When Paul and Barnabas realized what was happening, they tore their clothes in grief and rushed to stop the crowd, explaining that they were only human and pointing them to the living God—the Creator of all things (Acts 14:14–15). Although they didn’t preach the whole gospel message in that moment, they began by denouncing idolatry and calling people to turn from worthless things. Even without explicitly naming Jesus, Paul upheld the exclusivity of the gospel, distinguishing Christianity from the pluralistic beliefs of the Greeks (Acts 14:16–18).
Soon after, Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived and stirred up the crowd against the missionaries. The same people who wanted to worship Paul now stoned him and left him for dead (Acts 14:19). But Paul survived—some believe miraculously—and returned to the city before continuing to Derbe (Acts 14:20). Though we don’t know exactly what happened in those moments, Paul later mentions the stoning in 2 Corinthians 11:25 and possibly alludes to it in 2 Corinthians 12:1–4 when describing an out-of-body experience.
In Derbe, Paul and Barnabas made many disciples (Acts 14:21). Instead of returning home the easy way, they retraced their steps to encourage the new believers in the very cities that had mistreated them. They told them, “We must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22, NLT). This wasn’t a theology of salvation through suffering, but rather a reminder that following Jesus involves sharing in His sufferings (Romans 8:17; Philippians 3:10–11).
In each church, they appointed elders to provide leadership and guidance, entrusting them to the Lord through prayer and fasting (Acts 14:23). On their way back, they finally preached in Perga (Acts 14:25), and from there sailed back to Antioch, their sending church (Acts 14:26). Paul and Barnabas reported all that God had done, especially how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles (Acts 14:27). They spent a long time there, likely teaching, resting, and possibly writing the letter to the Galatians before their next missionary journey (Acts 14:28).
Lessons and Truths for Today
1. God Confirms the Gospel through Faithful Witness and Grace
Even in the face of fierce opposition in Iconium, Paul and Barnabas boldly preached the message of God’s grace. God affirmed their message by enabling them to perform miraculous signs and wonders. These miracles weren’t for show—they confirmed the truth of the gospel and pointed people to Jesus.
🡲 Application: Your courage to speak the truth—especially in hard places—may be the very thing God uses to show others the power of His grace. When you remain faithful, God will confirm His message through you in ways that point people to Him.
📖 “But the apostles stayed there a long time, preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord. And the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders.” (Acts 14:3, NLT)
2. True Christianity Isn’t Measured by Popularity but by Faithfulness
Paul and Barnabas were hailed as gods one moment and stoned the next. The people of Lystra, influenced by legend and superstition, initially tried to worship them after a healing miracle, but turned violently against them when persuaded by outsiders. Yet Paul got back up and kept going.
🡲 Application: Don’t measure your ministry by applause or rejection. Faithfulness to God’s message is the true measure of success. Stay grounded in truth even when public opinion shifts.
📖 “Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead.” (Acts 14:19, NLT)
📖 “But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town.” (Acts 14:20a, NLT)
3. New Believers Need Encouragement, Not Just Conversion
After planting churches across dangerous regions, Paul and Barnabas didn’t take the easy road home. They returned to the very cities where they had been persecuted, strengthening the faith of new believers and helping establish local leadership. They reminded them that hardship is part of following Jesus.
🡲 Application: Discipleship takes commitment. Evangelism is only the beginning—new believers need encouragement, teaching, and spiritual support. Who are you helping grow in their faith?
📖 “They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22, NLT)
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