Iconium

A city in what is now Turkey. It still exists but is now called Konya. In New Testament times Paul visited there on his first and second missionary journeys. On his first visit, Paul and Barnabas preached to Jews and Gentiles. Many believed, and a church was formed. However, the two men were forced to leave when some unbelieving Jews threatened to stone them. Some of them followed Paul to Lystra, where they stoned him and dragged him out of the city. But Paul and Barnabas went back to Iconium after a while, continued to preach, and encouraged the church. Paul and Timothy visited Iconium later.