Iconium – A Pattern of Persecution

But having shaken off the dust of their feet against them, they went to Iconium.

Acts of the Apostles 13:51 LSB

Their journey of about 90 miles on a Roman road connecting these two capital cities of Asia Minor through the mountains would typically take about a week on horseback or on foot.

Paul and Barnabas have just been run out of Pisidian Antioch continuing on a mission from Cypress where the Church in Antioch of Syria had initially sent them to proclaim the Gospel of the Lord Jesus to all the world.

An Antioch Blueprint of Church Evangelism

Observe a developing pattern of reactions and consequent acts when the Good News of Christ Jesus is proclaimed to ALL sinners in a city.

Acts of Apostles on Mission

In case you missed their last stop in Antioch of Pisidia:

Who has believed our message?

And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region..
And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Acts of Paul and Barnabas in Pisidian Antioch 13:49,52 LSB

Lycaonia - background: 160 B.C. - After defeat of the Hellenistic King Antiochus Rome gave it to the king of Pergamum after which it became part of Galatia then to Cappadocia.
64 BC -Pompey gave the northern part of the tetrarchy to Galatia and the eastern part of the eleventh strategia to Cappadocia. The remainder was attached to Cilicia. Its administration and grouping changed often under the Romans.

Iconium Ἰκόνιον (Ikónion) in Greek (with regular Medieval Greek apheresis Kónio(n)) and as Iconium in Latin. Ikónion is the Hellenisation of an older Luwian name Ikkuwaniya.

Some claim that the name Ikónion was derived from εἰκών (icon), referring to an ancient Greek legend according to which the hero Perseus had vanquished the native population with an image of the "Gorgon Medusa's head" before founding the city.

The Konya region.. at different times under the rule of the Hittites, the Phrygians, the Classical Greeks, the Persians and the Romans.  - source: Wikipedia

Acts 14

Now it happened that in Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together and spoke in such a manner that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks.

2 But the unbelieving Jews instigated and embittered the [souls] of the Gentiles against the brothers.

3 Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that [miracles] signs and wonders be done through their hands.

4 But the multitude of the city was divided;

• and some sided with the Jews,
• and some with the apostles.

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The familiar pattern:

• Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together 
  • Pisidian Antioch. And on the Sabbath day, they went into the synagogue and sat down. Acts 13:14
  • Salamis, Cypress. they began to proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews Acts 13:5
• and spoke in such a manner that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks.
  • Pisidian Antioch. Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and of the God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas.. And the next Sabbath, nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of the Lord. Acts 13:43a,44
• 14:2 But the unbelieving Jews instigated and embittered the minds of the Gentiles against the brothers.
  • Pisidian Antioch. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, blaspheming. Acts 13:45
  • Paphos Cypress. they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus.. opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. – Acts 13:6b,8b
• 14:3 Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that [miracles] signs and wonders be done through their hands.
  • Pisidian Antioch. “Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through [Christ] forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.. Therefore watch out, so that the thing spoken of in the Prophets may not come upon you Acts 13:38,40
  • Paphos Cypress. “..will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord? Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time.” And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him.. Acts 13:10b-11a
• 14:4 But the multitude of the city was divided; and some were with the Jews, and some with the apostles.
  • Pisidian Antioch.
  • And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. Acts 13:48
  • But the Jews incited the worshipping women of prominence and the leading men of the city, and instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their boundaries. Acts 13:50
  • Paphos Cypress. And when they had gone through the whole island .. they found .. a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus.. with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus..[who] summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. Acts 13:6-7 excerpt
  • Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on [Bar-Jesus].. “Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind..” Then the [Roman] proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord. Acts 13:9b-10a,12
• 14:5 And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers to mistreat and to stone them, they became aware of it and fled..
  • Pisidian Antioch. [they] instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas..
  • Paphos Cypress. Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos..

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And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers to mistreat and to stone them, they became aware of it and fled..

ACTS of these disciples of the risen Christ called Christians — To be continued…