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01 Acts 14 01-07 THE MINISTRY AT ICONIUM 01 Acts 14 01 Teaching in Synagogues
📖 Acts 14:01-07
01 – Sun, 28 Sep 2025 – *Teaching in Synagogues*- _Acts 14:01-07_ – THE MINISTRY AT ICONIUM – _Acts 17:01-03_
_Acts 14:1 Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed._
_Chapter 14 of Acts_ focuses on Paul and Barnabas’s ministry in Galatia, including cities like Antioch - Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. When Paul writes to the Galatians, he is addressing the churches in these places.
When studying Paul’s epistle to the Galatians, it is essential to consider the historical context and key themes he highlights throughout the letter. An understanding of the events that occurred in Galatia provides valuable background that informs a comprehensive study of the letter to the Galatians. _Galatians 1:1-2 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), (2) and all the brethren who are with me, *To the churches of Galatia*:_
Paul writes to the Galatians on justification by faith in Jesus, contrary to justification by the keeping of the law. _Galatians 2:16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified._
This was the matter that Paul preached in the synagogue in Antioch, Pisidia. _Acts 13:38-39 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; (39) and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which *you could not be justified by the law of Moses*._
As Paul and Barnabas travel through Galatia, we will see that this is the core message that is preached and taught to the synagogues. Let us now begin with the ministry in Iconium.
As usual, Paul and Barnabas’s mission strategy was to begin at the local synagogue. Here are examples.
*Damascus*
_Acts 9:19-20 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. (20) Immediately *he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God*._
*Antioch, Pisidia*
_Acts 13:14-15 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and *went into the synagogue* on the Sabbath day and sat down. (15) And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, "Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on."_
*Thessalonica*
_Acts 17:1-3 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where *there was a synagogue of the Jews. (2) Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures*, (3) explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ."_
*Athens*
_Acts 17:16-17 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols. (17) Therefore *he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers*, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there._
*Corinth*
_Acts 18:4 And *he reasoned in the synagogue* every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks._
*Ephesus*
_Acts 19:8 And *he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months*, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God._
In all of these synagogues, we must keep in mind that the message that Paul preached or reasoned with was the same message that he preached/reasoned at the synagogue in Antioch, Pisidia. We have studied this message in detail.
As Paul spoke in the synagogue in Iconium, a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed.
The Lord brings people into His kingdom. _Acts 11:21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord._ Paul and Barnabas were one with God in His mission. They were passionate about the things of God, and they carried the pain of God for people who are estranged from Him.
_Acts 14:19-23 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. (20) However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. (21) And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, (22) strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, *"We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."* (23) So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed._
If we must see results in our ministry, we must carry the pain of God’s heart for people to be reconciled with Him in our hearts. We must also be willing to suffer, just as Paul, for the name of Jesus Christ. _John 12:24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain._