Luke the beloved physician wrote how Paul and Barnabas shared the gospel with the Jews and Gentiles in the synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia, and after almost the whole city gathered to hear them, “the Jews stirred up the devout and honorable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost”, and in chapter fourteen and verse one of the book of Acts Luke shared about Paul and Barnabas, “in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews”, where we read:
And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews,
and so spoke, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.
The verse begins, “And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, ...” Luke began with the words, “and it came to pass” which means “and it happened and occurred” “in Iconium” or “within the famous city of Asia Minor, which was the capital of Lycaonia whose name means little image”, “that they went both together” which means “that Paul and Barnabas departed, arose, appeared and entered” “into the synagogue” or “in the assembly of Jews formally gathered together to offer prayers and listen to the reading and expositions of the scriptures” “of the Jews” which means “belonging to the Jewish people by birth, origin or religion”. Luke shared how “Paul and Barnabas” went to the “synagogue” that was located in the city of “Iconium”.
The verse continues, “... and so spoke, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.” Luke added the words, “and so spoke” which means “and thus uttered, declared and proclaimed in such a way”, “that a great multitude” which means “that a large and abundant number of people” “both of the Jews” or “who were both from the Jewish people” “and also of the Greeks” which means “and even so and indeed belonging to the name that embraces all nations not Jews that made the language, customs and learning of the Greeks their own” “believed” or “thought to be true, were persuaded and placed confidence in what Paul and Barnabas had to say”. Luke shared how “Paul and Barnabas” “spoke” in such a powerful way that Jews and Gentiles “trusted in” the “gospel”.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the people who attended the synagogue in “Iconium” “believed” what Paul and Barnabas declared because they shared it so powerfully. God's desire is to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and anyone who yields to Him will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. Let all who read these words be like these “believers” in “Iconium” and put their faith and trust in Jesus as their “Savior and Lord”.
Next time Luke shares how, “the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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