But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.
At Iconium, a city of Romans, Greeks, and Jews that was a great resort for pleasure-seekers and people with no particular purpose in life, Paul and Barnabas worked as at Antioch by laboring first in the synagogues for the Jews. Many Jews and Greeks accepted the gospel of Christ with marked success, with many daily embracing the doctrine of Christ while miracles were daily wrought through the power of God that convinced all whose minds were open to evidence. The unbelieving Jews set themselves in unreasonable opposition against those who accepted the true faith, moved by envy and hatred at the increasing popularity and growing influence of the doctrine of Christ.
As far as lay in their power they influenced and stirred up the Gentiles and turned their minds against the apostles and fellow believers. They did this by going to the authorities with false and exaggerated reports that great numbers were attaching themselves to the apostles for secret and dangerous designs, leading the officers and magistrates to fear unrest and insurrection and to become prejudiced against the brethren, so the disciples were repeatedly brought before the authorities. Their opposition escalated into false accusations, pressure on the authorities, and an attempt to provoke a mob to kill the apostles and stop their preaching.
In the face of that opposition, envy, and prejudice the apostles were not turned from their work but went on faithfully and preached boldly. The disciples' clear, calm, sensible, and comprehensive defense proved their teaching made men virtuous, law-abiding citizens who encouraged virtue and public order. Unprejudiced Jews and Greeks held that the morals and good order of the city would be improved if the apostles remained, the disciples won influence, and the magistrates dared not condemn them. The opposition instead gave the doctrine great publicity before a much larger number of unprejudiced hearers, and the city was divided over the message.
The same treatment comes in a degree to those who observe and teach the binding claims of God's law. They meet bitter opposition from ministers and people who reject and persistently refuse the light of God. By misrepresentation and falsehood such opposers keep the messengers of truth from reaching others and close every door by which they might have access to the people.
At Iconium, a city of Romans, Greeks, and Jews that was a great resort for pleasure-seekers and people with no particular purpose in life, Paul and Barnabas worked as at Antioch by laboring first in the synagogues for the Jews. Many Jews and Greeks accepted the gospel of Christ with marked success, with many daily embracing the doctrine of Christ while miracles were daily wrought through the power of God that convinced all whose minds were open to evidence. The unbelieving Jews set themselves in unreasonable opposition against those who accepted the true faith, moved by envy and hatred at the increasing popularity and growing influence of the doctrine of Christ.
As far as lay in their power they influenced and stirred up the Gentiles and turned their minds against the apostles and fellow believers. They did this by going to the authorities with false and exaggerated reports that great numbers were attaching themselves to the apostles for secret and dangerous designs, leading the officers and magistrates to fear unrest and insurrection and to become prejudiced against the brethren, so the disciples were repeatedly brought before the authorities. Their opposition escalated into false accusations, pressure on the authorities, and an attempt to provoke a mob to kill the apostles and stop their preaching.
In the face of that opposition, envy, and prejudice the apostles were not turned from their work but went on faithfully and preached boldly. The disciples' clear, calm, sensible, and comprehensive defense proved their teaching made men virtuous, law-abiding citizens who encouraged virtue and public order. Unprejudiced Jews and Greeks held that the morals and good order of the city would be improved if the apostles remained, the disciples won influence, and the magistrates dared not condemn them. The opposition instead gave the doctrine great publicity before a much larger number of unprejudiced hearers, and the city was divided over the message.
The same treatment comes in a degree to those who observe and teach the binding claims of God's law. They meet bitter opposition from ministers and people who reject and persistently refuse the light of God. By misrepresentation and falsehood such opposers keep the messengers of truth from reaching others and close every door by which they might have access to the people.