To believe or not to believe- the Word is preached.

Act 14:1  And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. 

Act 14:2  But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. 

Paul and Barnabas journeyed on to Iconium and went into Jewish synagogue. There in that synagogue there were a lot of Jews and Greeks, and a lot of them believed! They believed what Paul and Barnabas were preaching. They believed in Jesus Christ as their Savior! Just imagine the wonder of that meeting, the joy of the disciples bringing truth to the people and having it accepted by many. However, NOT ALL believed. Those that didn't believe - the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles- they MADE THEIR MINDS EVIL AFFECTED AGAINST THE BRETHREN.

Made their minds evil affected. The unbelievers moved against the believers, or those that had the potential to believe and they corrupted them with their evil influence. 

It is so incredibly true that wherever truth is spoken - evil is there ready to corrupt those who would believe. It was true then and it's true now. Evil hasn't disappeared, it's only grown stronger and more earnest as it's end draw very near. We need to pray desperately for truth to be heard and believed!

Paul and Barnabas did not give up at the sight of disbelievers.

Act 14:3  Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 

They stay and spoke BOLDLY in the LORD. They gave TESTIMONY to the Word of Grace! They gave signs and wonders were done by them.

Act 14:4  But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

Even with the SIGNS and WONDERS the multitudes were divided. Part held fast to their traditions over truth, and part accepted the truth as it is found in our Savior.

We like to believe that if today one was given the gift of signs and wonders to reveal the truth of our Lord that people would have to be convinced of truth. Yet, as it was then in the days of Paul and Barnabas it would be today. People would find a reason NOT to believe the signs and wonders. Those whose hearts are NOT open to truth will not believe no matter what is revealed. We might say 'IF ONLY' this or that happened today, but we have to comprehend that the 'if only' is deception. We allow ourselves to believe that there needs to be something more to show the truth, but there doesn't. Our Savior has given all that is needed, but nothing will soften the hardened hearts that do not to truly know the truth of Jesus Christ.

Act 14:5  And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them, 

Act 14:6  They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: 

Act 14:7  And there they preached the gospel. 

The violence against Paul and Barnabas by the unbelievers was a real threat to their lives and as such they were guided to leave. They weren't called to be martyrs at this point in their ministry. They fled.  NOT because God couldn't have protected them, but because God had many more places for them to preach the gospel. They'd done the work they'd been called to do in Iconium. Many believed, and many did not, but each that believed was a witness for Christ Jesus and His message of eternal salvation.

It's not our jobs as Christians to force anyone to believe. It's not our job to fight those who don't believe. We present truth for as long as our Lord wills us too and then we leave the unbelievers to their own ways. We can hope and pray, definitely pray that the seeds planted would germinate and spout up at a later time, and many unbelievers would in turn believe. Paul and Barnabas did not force, they let the Holy Spirit move through them.

May we be used by the Holy Spirit. All through the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ now and forever!!!!!!!