STRATEGIC STRENGTHENING
Opening Prayer
Father, thank you for your Word, for its story that spans all of the world’s history and shows me your great power and love, from creation and into eternity.
Read ACTS 14:21–28
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
The Return to Antioch in Syria
21 They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 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. 23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders[a] for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. 24 After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia, 25 and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.
26 From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. 27 On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.
Footnotes
- Acts 14:23 Or Barnabas ordained elders; or Barnabas had elders elected
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
‘Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.’1
It would have been much easier for Paul and Barnabas to
continue to Syrian Antioch overland via Tarsus, the city of Paul’s birth. Instead, they take the long road back, through all the cities they have just visited. Their reason is clear—this is a pastoral visitation of each new church. Luke says they were ‘strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith’
(v. 22). The verb ‘strengthen’ is only found in Acts: Luke uses it four times to underscore its strategic significance, all in the context of strengthening fellow believers.2
The visiting of existing churches represents a new stage in Paul’s missional strategy. After the founding of the core of a Christian community, he tends to leave quickly, often forced out by threats and persecution. He wants to prevent these new churches from growing overly dependent on him, allowing them to learn how to function independently. However, he does not leave them permanently, but returns for pastoral visits to train and strengthen them in their faith and mission. We know from his many letters that writing is another strategy with a similar goal. Galatians is probably written to these very churches in Iconium, Lystra, and Pisidian Antioch.
In addition to strengthening and encouraging these infant churches, Paul appoints ‘elders’ (v. 23) for each new congregation. This results in a long-term, local leadership structure that will help them to develop in a healthy way. It allows local leaders to emerge and provide the pastoral care these churches require and supplies the young communities with much-needed stability, sustainability, and direction for further missional growth.
Apply
Paul’s top priority is always the church. What can you do to build up and strengthen your spiritual community?
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, please give me your loving heart for the church. Thank you for the part you give me to play in it; help me to encourage and strengthen believers around me today.
1 I Cor 12:27 2 Acts 14:22; 15:32; 15:41; 18:23
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