Daily Devotional Tuesday 28th April 2020
by William Moody
Acts 14:21–28
21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
Paul and Barnabas Return to Antioch in Syria
24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, 26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. 27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they remained no little time with the disciples.
(ESV)
As Paul and Barnabas’ journey continues many more people come to follow Christ in Derbe (v21). We see Paul’s ministry was pioneering in entering new territory with Gospel.
We also see how Paul strengthened young believers and churches (v21b-22). This strengthening ministry was very important to Paul and Barnabas as they were returning to cities were they faced great opposition and even attempts to kill them. We all need to be strengthened in our faith and we also all need to be involved in strengthening other believers. In your Christian life are you getting stronger? Are you stronger this year than you were last year?
Paul strengthens the believers by preparing them for trials (v22b). These young believers would have seen the reality of this in Paul and Barnabas’ ministry. They are also strengthened by elders being appointed in each church (v23). This gives good leadership and teaching. Pray earnestly for your elders as they have such an important role.
Paul and Barnabas then return to Antioch in Syria (v24-26) were they had started out from and reported back how they had got on (v27-28). Their report was filled not with their deeds but more importantly with what God had done. We must pray more and more for God to move.
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