WHEN PAUL AND BARNABUS CAME BACK TO TOWN
Acts 14:21-23 NKJ
21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." 23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
Paul and Barnabus had been on their first mission taking the gospel to the Gentile nations. Now, they are going back to Antioch, where they were first sent out.
On the way back, they visited the disciples in the cities where they had preached the gospel. It is interesting that Luke, the author of Acts, calls the new converts disciples and not believers. Of course, they were believers, but disciples carry a stronger meaning. The word disciple means a learner, a pupil. The Complete Word Study Bible says the following about the word disciple. Disciple "means more in the NT than a mere pupil or learner. It is an adherent who accepts the instruction given to him and makes it his rule of conduct…" The new believers were called disciples, which is in line with what Jesus instructed: to go and make disciples of all the nations. In verse 21 of our verses for today, Paul and Barnabus made disciples in every city. Anyone can be a believer in a moment of time. Becoming a disciple is a lifelong process.
When Paul and Barnabus came back into the cities where they had made disciples, they intentionally did three things. They strengthened, encouraged, and set up leadership in every city.
Strengthening the disciples was done with words. This is spiritual strength, not physical strength. So, Paul and Barnabus taught the people about Jesus, their relationship with Him, and the new life they had because of Him. I am sure other things were taught, but we know that God's Word is what strengthens us spiritually, and Paul and Barnabus were highly adept at proclaiming and explaining the scriptures.
Paul and Barnabus encouraged the disciples. Part of the reason for the encouragement was to counteract the discouraging situations new converts to Christianity experienced. Christians were often criticized and ostracized from the pagan culture they were living in. I am sure part of the encouragement delivered by Paul and Barnabus was reassuring these new disciples that what they were experiencing was not unusual. In fact, they told these new to the faith folks that through much tribulation, we enter the kingdom of God. Tribulation is not the path into God's kingdom. It is tribulation, or trouble and pressure, that tries to block our way. The encouragement was to not quit or throw away their confidence. There would be no need for encouragement if there was no opposition, no reason to be discouraged.
Paul and Barnabus also set up elders in every city. They chose leaders, then prayed, fasted, and presented them to the Lord. Paul and Barnabus did not present the elders to themselves. Paul and Barnabus did have leadership authority in these churches, but the leaders were accountable to the Lord first. The Lord is the One they believed in, and it was the Lord that would help and sustain these leaders long after Paul and Barnabus were gone.
Paul and Barnabus did not go back to these churches just to say howdy. They went back to ensure the growth and stability of the new churches.
APPLICATION
The church's purpose has not changed much from Paul and Barnabus' days. As a church, we still need to preach and teach to make disciples. People still need to be strengthened and encouraged because tribulation is still a part of our present environment. And we still need Christian leadership in order to keep order and stability.
Some have decided that church is no longer important. But good Bible-believing, preaching, and teaching churches are still vital in the lives of today's believers, provided they want to be strong and encouraged.
PRAYER
Thank You, Lord, for the church. It is Your church and Your plan for Your people. Thank You for strengthening, encouraging, and providing leadership for me in Your church.