Return To Antioch In Syria
RETURN TO ANTIOCH IN SYRIA
ACTS 14:19-28
Preaching and making disciples go hand in hand.
Experiences at Lystra left a permanent mark on Paul’s mind (2 Timothy 3:1 1)—and his body, if Galatians 6:17 is interpreted as the scars of his suffering in missionary service. Not for the last time did he face imminent death (14:19-20); and this successful attempt at rescue, as the disciples formed a ring around him, permitted him to escape and, undeterred, to press on to the next town, Derbe.
Preaching and making disciples go hand in hand, according to the missionary manifesto of Matthew 28:19 and Mark 16:15 (KJV). The divine order and intention is that converts should become disciples. So it happened at Derbe (14:21).
“Tribulations” sounds an ominous note for the church in every age and place and there is no legitimate short-cut to avoid them.
14:19. Paul’s stoning is part of his apostolic hardships recorded in 2 Corinthians 11:25. Note the sudden change in the Galatians—from enthusiastic hero-worship to a bitter attack on Paul’s person. 14:22: a pastoral follow-up is indicated in the verbs (cf. 18:23 and 11:23; destiny). “Suffering, then, is the badge of the true Christian… Luther reckoned suffering among the marks of the true church, and one of the memoranda drawn up in preparation for the Augsburg Confession similarly defines the church as the community of those “who are persecuted and martyred for the gospel’s sake” … “Discipleship means allegiance to the suffering Christ” (Bonhoeffer).
Further pastoral provision was made in the appointment of a simple church leadership (14:23). What was the prime responsibility of these “elders” (see 20:28; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Timothy 3:1-7)?
14:24-28 complete the story of the missionary circuit. Paul and his party return to the place from which they were valedicted (14:26; 13:43). The key-verb is “must”—not an optional vocation which may be bypassed. Similarly, 2 Timothy 2:3; 3:12; Revelation 7:14.
14:23. “Elders” represent an oversight of the local congregation, as at Ephesus (Acts 20:17) and Philippi (Philippians 1:1). Other functions are given in Romans 12:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; Hebrews 13:17. 14:27: indeed an “open door” (Revelation 3:8). Where else did Paul use this metaphor for a ready scope for the gospel?
Think over Look back over Paul’s provision for the new converts—in 14:22-23. Are we sufficiently attentive to such needs?