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The Acts of the Apostles
of the city would improve if the truths taught by the apostles were
accepted.
Through the opposition that the disciples met, the message of truth
gained great publicity; the Jews saw that their efforts to thwart the
work of the new teachers resulted only in adding greater numbers to
the new faith. “The multitude of the city was divided: and part held
with the Jews, and part with the apostles.”
So enraged were the leaders among the Jews by the turn that mat-
ters were taking, that they determined to gain their ends by violence.
Arousing the worst passions of the ignorant, noisy mob, they suc-
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ceeded in creating a tumult, which they attributed to the teaching of
the disciples. By this false charge they hoped to gain the help of the
magistrates in carrying out their purpose. They determined that the
apostles should have no opportunity to vindicate themselves and that
the mob should interfere by stoning Paul and Barnabas, thus putting
an end to their labors.
Friends of the apostles, though unbelievers, warned them of the
malicious designs of the Jews and urged them not to expose themselves
needlessly to the fury of the mob, but to escape for their lives. Paul
and Barnabas accordingly departed in secret from Iconium, leaving
the believers to carry on the work alone for a time. But they by no
means took final leave; they purposed to return after the excitement
had abated, and complete the work begun.
In every age and in every land, God’s messengers have been called
upon to meet bitter opposition from those who deliberately chose to
reject the light of heaven. Often, by misrepresentation and falsehood,
the enemies of the gospel have seemingly triumphed, closing the doors
by which God’s messengers might gain access to the people. But these
doors cannot remain forever closed, and often, as God’s servants have
returned after a time to resume their labors, the Lord has wrought
mightily in their behalf, enabling them to establish memorials to the
glory of His name.
Driven by persecution from Iconium, the apostles went to Lystra
and Derbe, in Lycaonia. These towns were inhabited largely by a
heathen, superstitious people, but among them were some who were
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willing to hear and accept the gospel message. In these places and in
the surrounding country the apostles decided to labor, hoping to avoid
Jewish prejudice and persecution.