Paul was coming to the end of his message. Speaking to the Jews and God-seeking Gentiles in Pisidian Antioch, he had explained how Jesus is the fulfilment of God's promises to Israel. Then Paul made it very personal. The message was not just about interesting history but essential, eternal destiny: their destiny. The heart of the gospel message is that forgiveness of sins is offered through the sacrifice of Jesus.

Almost everybody in Pisidian Antioch wanted to hear what Paul and Barnabas had to say about Jesus. The previous Sabbath in the synagogue, Paul had explained how the resurrection validated Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God (Acts 13:32-37).

Having been expelled from Antioch in Pisidia, Paul and Barnabas travelled down the Roman military road some 60 miles south-east to Iconium (the modern Turkish city of Konya). As Jewish teachers, their strategy was to go first to the local synagogue and speak about Jesus, who fulfils the Old Testament prophecies. They spoke effectively: that is they spoke truthfully according to the Scriptures, and according to the Holy Spirit's inspiration. The effect of that combination of truth, with the Holy Spirit speaking to the listeners, was that many of them believed.

After a crippled beggar stood up and walked following Paul's command (Acts 14:8-9), the people of Lystra thought that Barnabas and Paul must be Greek gods.