Paul was coming to the end of his message in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch (in what is now southwest Turkey).  Speaking to the Jews and God-seeking Gentiles, 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 eternal destiny: their destiny.  The heart of the gospel message is that forgiveness of sins is offered through the sacrifice of Jesus (Luke 24:46-47).

Almost everybody in Pisidian Antioch (in what is now southwest Turkey) 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 Messiah, the Son of God (Acts 13:32-37).  And many believed in Him that day (Acts 13:43).  During the week, Paul met with a variety of people who had started to trust Jesus; so by the next Sabbath there was great expectation among the people to hear more about Jesus - the only person who could forgive sins and enable sinners to be justified before God (Acts 1

Having been expelled from Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:50-52), 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, explaining that He fulfils the Old Testament prophecies.  They spoke effectively: that is, they spoke truthfully about the Scriptures, inspired by the Holy Spirit.  The effect of that combination of truth, with the Holy Spirit speaking to the listeners, was that many of them believed.

A man, who had been lame from birth, miraculously stood up and walked following Paul's command (Acts 14:8-10).  The only conclusion that the people of Lystra could make was that Barnabas and Paul must be Greek gods.  The priest of the temple of Zeus wanted to sacrifice bulls to them and celebrate their arrival with a pagan festival (Acts 14:11-13).