Paul and Barnabas speak boldly in Iconium1At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went together to the Jewish synagogue, where they spoke so powerfully that a great number believed, both Jews and Gentiles.2But those Jews who rejected their message and refused to believe stirred up opposition among the Gentiles by slandering Paul and Barnabas.3Even so, they spent some time there and continued to preach boldly for the Lord, who endorsed their message of His grace by empowering them to perform miraculous signs and wonders.4The city population was divided; some supported the apostles, others sided with the Jewish opposition.5However, a group of Gentiles and Jews including some of the leaders plotted violence against Paul and Barnabas, wanting to stone them.6-7But they heard of the plot and fled to Lycaonia, to the cities of Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding country, where they continued to proclaim the good news.8In Lystra they encountered a man who from birth had crippled feet and had never been able to walk.9-10He listened intently to Paul's preaching. When Paul looked at the man, he perceived that he had faith to be healed and so called to him: "Stand up on your feet." Immediately the man jumped up and started to walk.11The crowd that witnessed this shouted out in their own language: "These are gods come to visit us in human form."12They called Barnabas 'Zeus' and Paul they called 'Hermes', as he was the main spokesman.13The priest from the temple of Zeus that was just outside the city brought bulls and wreaths of flowers to the city gate because both he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to Barnabas and Paul.14-15When the two apostles realised this they tore their robes in disgust and ran among the crowd shouting: "Why are you doing this? We are merely human like you. We bring you the good news that you can turn away from such worthless things and know the only living God, who created heaven and earth, the sun and every living creature.16-17In the past, He allowed nations to go their own ways, although He never was without witnesses to the truth about who He is. Even though you did not know Him, He showed you His generosity by giving you rain and enabling you to grow seasonal crops, thus providing you with plenty of food and cause to be grateful."Paul stoned for the truth18Despite what they said, the two apostles had the utmost difficulty in preventing the crowd from offering sacrifices to them.19But when some Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived, they turned the crowd against them. They stoned Paul and dumped his body outside the city, thinking he was dead.20But when the believers gathered around him in prayer, he stood up and then went back into the city. Both Paul and Barnabas left for Derbe on the following day.21-22There a large number became disciples in response to their preaching. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch where they strengthened the believers, encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must persevere through many trials and hardships to inherit God's Kingdom," they told them.Apostles appointed elders23Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for each church. They prayed for them after a time of fasting, entrusting them to the Lord in whom they believed.24Then, passing through Pisidia, they arrived in Pamphylia.25-26They preached God's Word in Perga before moving on to Attalia, from where they sailed back to Antioch, the city where they had been entrusted to God's grace for the work they had now completed.27So when they arrived there they called the church together, reporting all that God had accomplished through them and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.28Then they stayed with the disciples in Antioch for a prolonged time.
Scripture quoted by permission. The passage above is taken from THE TRUTH VERSION. Copyright © 2009 by Colin Urquhart. All rights reserved worldwide. (The Truth New Testament)