Acts 14:21-23 (NIV)
They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.
Paul and Barnabas had greater success in Derbe than they had had in Lystra. They gained many souls for the kingdom and got them well started in the path of discipleship before starting their return journey to Antioch of Syria.
As they retraced their steps back to the port of Pamphylia on the south coast, they also revisited the towns in which they had gained disciples, encouraged them, and taught them some more that they needed to know about the kingdom of God. There was no outcry or protest from the Jews during these visits, because the pair were not preaching publicly or in the synagogues. They were focused on building up those who were already disciples who would share the good news with their families, friends and neighbors after they had gone. They reminded these new Christians of Jesus’ words that they would face severe trials as disciples, but they also assured them of Jesus’ presence and promise of help.
The other vital thing that Paul and Barnabas did was to appoint elders in each of the towns to oversee the Church there going forward. This was very important because the people in each of those communities still looked at Paul and Barnabas as their leaders, but now they were going away and might never be able to return. By placing responsibility for oversight in the hands of mature, Spirit-filled believers (1 Timothy 3:1-7), the future of the work of the kingdom and the spiritual growth of the believers would be assured.
Father, we sometimes forget that sharing the gospel and making a convert is not the end of the process but only the beginning. We must then help those who believe to go on to maturity in Christ and raise up leadership that will ensure the future of the Church. Help us, Lord, to not only think abut this reality, but to do it with Your strength and power working in and through us. Amen.
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