Acts 14 - The Key To Effective Preaching!
In Iconium
14 At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders. 4 The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. 5 There was a plot afoot among both Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. 6 But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, 7 where they continued to preach the gospel.
Where is Iconium?
Iconium is an ancient city in Asia Minor, modern-day Konya, Turkey, known primarily as a significant location in the New Testament where Paul and Barnabas preached. It served as a major commercial center in the Roman province of Galatia. Today, it is a city with a population exceeding 2 million, known for its deep historical, cultural, and religious, particularly Islamic, heritage. Location: Situated on a high fertile plain (approx. 3,600 ft) at the edge of the Anatolian plateau, the ancient city is buried beneath modern-day Konya, Turkey. - Google AI
Paul and Barnabas continued to use the same strategy of going into the synagogue first. The thought was they might gain an audience first with the Jews, who were their brothers and sisters in the Jewish faith. We will see the results were mixed. Some of the people there (Jews and Gentiles) came to faith and some did not.
The assumption is they preached the same gospel both to the Jews in the synagogue, and the Gentiles in the streets. Some of the Gentiles were God-fearers. This is probably why their hearts were ready to receive the gospel. They were obviously more receptive than some of the Jews.
The text says that Paul and Barnabas preached effectively. What does that mean?
They spoke in such a way that invited those who heard to come to faith in Jesus. Sometimes we preach in such a way as to turn people off. Sometimes we call it "fire and brimstone". Instead of focusing on the love God has shared with us by sending Jesus, it is focused on how sinful we are, and if we don't repent we are going to go to hell. And while that may be objectively true, I never have heard Jesus or the apostles preach like that. After all it is GOOD NEWS not BAD NEWS!
We know we are effective when our preaching and teaching leads to more faith in Jesus. We can't control who comes to faith, but we can control how we preach the message and treat the people we share it with. Of course, the most important thing is that our message is empowered by the Holy Spirit. Whenever I preach, I pray that I would get out of the way, so the Holy Spirit can preach the gospel through me. This way people's faith will rest on God not man!
We see also another part of sharing the gospel. Not only did the apostles share the gospel with words, but also through signs and wonders. The Holy Spirit enabled them to preach effectively but also perform supernatural acts of power. What was the purpose of these signs and wonders?
The passage says it was to, "confirm the message of grace". The signs and wonders were evidence of the truth in the message the apostle's preached. Unfortunately not everyone was open to their message and, in fact, some were downright hostile. The apostles received the same treatment from the people in Pisidian Antioch as well. They will also be treated badly in the next towns Lystra and Derbe as well. Note this is the first time the bible refers to Paul and Barnabas as apostles.
This confirmed the words Jesus said to them, "If they hated me they will hate you!" - John 15:18
We sometimes think the persecution only came from the Jews, but we see here it was from the Gentiles as well. Once again by God's sovereign grace they found out about the plot and went on to Lystra and Derbe some 20 miles away. This wasn't the last Paul heard of the Iconium people, as they followed him to Lystra, where they stoned him and left him for dead. But the disciples gathered him up and he went on!
Why do you the people were so divided when they heard the message of the gospel? If the apostles preached "effectively", how can we do the same? What ingredients would there be in an effective witness to Jesus? I think we get a clue from the apostle Peter's letter to the church when he says,
"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." - 1 Peter 3:15
Are you prepared and ready to give an answer for your faith in Jesus? If someone asked you at work why you believe in Jesus, what would you say? Do you look for opportunities to share the hope you have found in Christ?
Note the important words, "But do so with gentleness and respect".
If we share our faith in Jesus without gentleness and respect, we are like Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15, "Only a noisy gong and clanging symbol!"
Jesus, help us to be winsome in our approach, as we share the Good News to those you have prepared in advance to believe in You. Thank you that you go with us and have given us the gift of the Holy Spirit, who gives us the right words to say at the right moment! Amen.
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