Daily Reading: Acts 14:1-7
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. 2 But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 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. 4 The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. 5 There was a plot afoot among both Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. 6 But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, 7 where they continued to preach the gospel.
“At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue.”
It started off just like any other day. It was a usual day. Did you know that often extraordinary things happen in usual days (Acts 14:1)?
“There they spoke so effectively”
What does that mean that they spoke effectively
“Spoke” (laleō) - use words in order to declare one's mind and disclose one's thoughts
“So effectively” houtō(s) in this manner
The point of the sentence is where they used words to declare one’s mind in this manner- they did it “there”. They spoke effectively in the place that God ordained the audience to receive the Word. The point is not about Paul and Barnabas’ abilities, it teaches us that their availability to be used by God led them to an opportunity to have the Holy Spirit speak powerfully through them and because of that many people believed.
As you continue on in the text it says that the people were divided-some sided with the Jews and others with the apostles but there was a plot coming from both Jews and Gentiles to mistreat the apostles. The Greek paints a very clear picture of their plot, (hybrizō)- act outrageously (lithoboleō)- to kill by stoning, to stone
“But they found out about it (Acts 14:6)” No where in the Greek text does it say “found out” instead the Greek word synagōgē is there- this is where synagogue comes from - name transferred to an assembly of Christians formally gathered together for religious purposes.
God used Christian men and woman from the crowd who believed to deliver the message that would protect the apostles.
How do you see that someone had faith?
He was listening (Acts 14:9). Listening – (akouō) to understand, perceive the sense of what is said.
So, then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). Keep hearing the preached Word and begin to see God impart His wisdom to you, supply your needs, and work miracles in your life!