Acts 14:1

Acts 14:1 says, 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.  Paul and Barnabas went to the synagogue of the Jews in Iconium.  The synagogue was where God's people gathered to worship Him and learn more about Him, so it was a logical place to tell people about Jesus.  Today, travelling evangelists would most likely go to a church.  Paul and Barnabas were met by a great multitude of both Jews and Greeks.  For an evangelist today, that would be like saying they were met by a great multitude of Christians and non- believers. Verse two adds, But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.  That should be what we want, but the unbelieving Jews stirred up trouble with the Gentiles and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.  An unbelieving Jew would be the same as an unbelieving Christian, someone who professes to believe in God and His will, but only if it agrees with what they want.  Verse three continues, 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.  Paul and Barnabas stayed in Iconium a long time, preaching the gospel.  God gave testimony to their good work in that many signs and wonders were done by their hands.  We need to be able to have the world see God working through us today.  Our task is not to just point out the evil of the world but is first and foremost to proclaim the gospel.  Verse four states, But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.  The preaching of Paul and Barnabas divided into city, and so should our proclaiming the gospel today.  If everyone is satisfied when we proclaim the gospel and it has no impact on those we are speaking to, then something is wrong.  Verse five adds, 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,  Those who didn't believe, both Gentiles and Jews with their leaders, wanted to stone Paul and Barnabas.  When unbelievers and those who profess to be God's people unite to stop His word from being preached, they both lose.  Verse six continues, They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:  Paul and Barnabas became aware of their plan and moved on to Lystra and Derbe, cities in Lycaonia and the region thereabout.  Verse seven states, And there they preached the gospel. There, they preached the gospel and God's word continued to spread to a larger and larger area.