Acts 14:1-4 - A great number of Jews and Gentiles believed

14:1,2

Paul and Barnabas now move onto Iconium. Following their normal custom, they went to the Jewish synagogue. The reason for doing this, apart from “to Israel first”, was that it was guaranteed to give them a platform from which to present the message. “They spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed”. The gospel is for all peoples.  However, this also stirred up opposition. There were Jews who “refused to believe”. While the Bible is clear on the sovereignty of God, it is also clear on human responsibility. Sometimes people argue that it isn’t fair on those who don’t believe because it’s not their fault. This is not so, we are responsible, and the JEws who did not believe actively refused to believe. Instead, they stirred up trouble, trying to poison the minds of the Gentiles against Paul and Barnabas.

14:3,4

“So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there”. I love this. In the face of opposition they put all the more effort into preaching the gospel. They also performed “signs and wonders”. They spoke the message boldly. Our response to opposition should normally be to present the word of God all the more boldly. And God confirmed their message with signs and wonders. The gospel brought division between those who believed and those who did not, see Luke 12:51. Both Paul and Barnabas are referred to as “apostles” here, also in 14:14. We see the twofold use of the term “apostle”. Paul was an apostle in that he was chosen directly by Jesus. Barnabas was an apostle in the sense that he was “one who was sent”. This latter use also, of course, applies to Paul.