Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Acts 14:21-25

"Paul & Barnabas 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. After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia, and when they had preached th word in Perga, they went down to Attalia."

Appointing Elders In Each Church

P & B returned to visit the believers in all the cities where they had recently been threatened and physically attacked. These men knew the dangers they faced, yet they believed that they had a responsibility to encourage the new believers. No matter how inconvenient or uncomfortable the task may seem, we must always support new believers who need our help and encouragement.

Part of the reason they returned to these cities was to organize the church leaderships. They were actually helping the believers get organized with spiritual leaders who could help the church grow. These Elders were appointed after prayer and fasting, then they were committed to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

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