Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: Leviticus 11-15
     New Testament Reading: Acts 14

After they had preached the gospel in that town and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch, strengthening the disciples by encouraging them to continue in the faith and by telling them, “It is necessary to go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” When they had appointed elders for them in every church and prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed (Acts 14:21-23).

In His last words to His Apostles Jesus said, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you” (Matt 28:19-20).

Jesus never said go and make converts. He said go and make disciples. They were not just to baptize, but to also teach them to observe everything Jesus had commanded them.

Paul and Barnabas did not consider their work done when they had made converts. These converts needed to be organized into congregations and strengthened in the faith. This is exactly what they proposed to do as they made their way back through Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch.

Paul and Barnabas strengthened the believers in the things of Christ and encouraged them to continue in the faith. They taught them how to live a Godly life and how to continue to walk daily with Jesus Christ. Paul and Barnabas made it very clear living the Christian life was not an easy thing and that they would all have to expect trials and sufferings before they would see the Lord in Glory.

In His last letter to Timothy, Paul wrote, What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also (2 Tim 2:2). No doubt Paul and Barnabas taught something similar to the believer in these cities. When Paul and Barnabas returned to their home church, they would be left on their own to continue to evangelize the communities and disciple the new believers.

Paul was not only a great evangelist and teacher; he was also a competent administrator. Paul organized the churches. He appointed spiritual leaders and trained them to nurture and grow the young congregations. Once the leaders were selected in each church, the members joined together in prayer and fasting as they dedicated their new leaders to the Lord.