(a) Describe the events that took place in Iconium and Lystra during the first missionary journery. (b) Explain the attitude of the Jews in both places

Answer Details

(a) Events in Iconium and Lystra during the first missionary journey (Acts 14:1-20)

Iconium: Paul and Barnabas went into the Jewish synagogue and spoke so effectively that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. The apostles stayed a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the word of His grace by granting signs and wonders to be done through their hands. The city was divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. When a plot was made to mistreat and stone them, the apostles became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, and there continued to preach the gospel.

Lystra: At Lystra there sat a man crippled from birth, who had never walked. He listened to Paul, and Paul, seeing that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, "Stand upright on your feet." The man leaped up and walked. When the crowds saw it, they cried out in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men." They called Barnabas Zeus and Paul Hermes, and the priest of Zeus brought oxen and garlands, intending to offer sacrifice to them. When the apostles heard it, they tore their clothes and rushed among the crowd, crying, "Men, why are you doing this? We also are men of like nature with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to the living God who made heaven and earth." With difficulty they restrained the people from sacrificing. Then Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, won over the crowds, stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him dead. But as the disciples gathered round him, he rose and went back into the city, and the next day left with Barnabas for Derbe.

(b) The attitude of the Jews in both places

In both Iconium and Lystra the unbelieving Jews were hostile, jealous and full of opposition to the gospel. At Iconium they stirred up and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against the apostles and plotted to stone them. At Lystra Jews came all the way from Antioch and Iconium, incited the crowd, and actually stoned Paul and left him for dead. Thus the Jews consistently rejected the message, persecuted the apostles and tried to turn the people against them.