PAUL THE APOSTLE ( Part 12) | THE FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY ( AD 47 )

Pastor Christopher Choo

Lesson 3111

PAUL THE APOSTLE ( Part 12)

THE FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY ( AD 47 ). 
#3.  THE CITY OF ICONIUM

When they were expelled from Pisidium Antioch, Paul and Barnabus went to Iconium.

Iconium was a major Roman city located about 95 miles east of Pisidian Antioch, situated at a crossroads of the main trade routes. 

Acts 14:1-7 tells us that Paul and Barnabas spent some months at Iconium in 47AD, going as usual to the Jewish synagogue to preach. Many Jews and Gentiles believed, but those who rejected the Good News about Jesus hatched a plot to stone Paul for what they considered to be blasphemy. Paul and Barnabas heard about the plot and escaped to Lystra in the region of Lycaonia.

This " hit and run" phenomenon would characterize their first missionary journey.

Greeks and Romans were generally open-minded towards religion; Jews however were closed-minded.

But when Jews shrewdly got the locals involved to oust Paul and Barnabus from their midst - for whatever reason  - as happened in Iconium - then the gospel went along with the brave missionaries of Christ.

They never gave up, because the cause was greater than themselves.

Abba Father, let us end with this thought. The Book of Revelation reveals that the End Times will be much like the time of the Roman Empire. And especially to the challenges that worshippers of the God of Israel will face. So as believers living in the 21st century what shall we do?

Well here is what our Savior had to say about this very challenge in

John 15:17-21

This is what I command you: keep loving each other! “If the world hates you, understand that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would have loved its own. But because you do not belong to the world- on the contrary, I have picked you out of the world- therefore the world hates you.

In the light of what our Lord said, let us hold fast to the confession of our faith until the end and keep on sowing love in forgiveness towards all our enemies.