God Led

Pete Kersker - Jul 24, 2026

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 (Acts 14:1 NIV).

Paul and Barnabas left Antioch (in Syria) because they were called by the Holy Spirit to go. They've reached people on the island of Cyprus, Pisidian Antioch, and now in Iconium. The number of believers continues to grow.

But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers (Acts 14:2 NIV).

Yesterday we noted a pattern in each town. Paul and Barnabas would start by going to synagogue (Jewish church) on the sabbath (Saturday, day of rest). They would share the good news (gospel) that the anticipated Messiah (Christ, Anointed One) has arrived. His name is Jesus. Once these people made up their minds, Paul and Barnabas would move on to the Gentiles in the region to tell them the good news, too. In each of the towns where people stirred up resistance, Paul and Barnabas left. That is, until now.

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 (Acts 14:3 NIV).

God clearly led them to stay in this town. We know that it was God-led because the Lord "confirmed the message...by enabling them to perform signs and wonders." These miracles, as we've seen before, communicate the message about Jesus to the Gentiles (non-Jewish people).

The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. There was a plot afoot among both Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them (Acts 14:4-5 NIV).

We don't know how long Paul and Barnabas stayed. Scripture only tells us it was "a considerable time." We do know why they stayed, though. They stayed because God led them to stay and continue preaching the gospel (good news) about Jesus. The result is that many more people learned, and believed that, Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, through whom all people can be saved.

But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, where they continued to preach the gospel (Acts 14:6-7 NIV).

Have you ever been led by God to stay and tell people about Jesus, even against resistance?
Did God confirm your calling? How? What was the result (so far)?