19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 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.
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)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
Not content with chasing Paul and Barnabas out of Iconium, the Jews from Antioch and Iconium followed them to Lystra and incited the crowds there against them. Collectively they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city and left him for dead. Fortunately, he had not been abandoned by the believers who gathered around him. Though not dead, Paul miraculously recovered, rose up, and returned to the city. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe. In Derbe, they preached the gospel and discipled the new believers there. Then they backtracked along their journey returning to Lystra, then Iconium, and then Antioch in Pisidia. Along their return journey, they encouraged the believers to persevere in their faith. While we never can lose our salvation, often our perseverance will necessitate hardship as we await our entrance into the kingdom of God. Finally, they appointed elders in every church, and with prayer and fasting, they committed them to Lord who would sustain them. Paul didn’t leave the churches until they had established leadership to ensure their continued growth.
Prom Pisidia they came through Pamphylia returning to Perga. They stopped at Attalia, which had not been previously mentioned, and then finally returned to Antioch from where they were originally commissioned for the work they had just completed. They gathered the church together and then gave God credit for the work that He had done and described how God had made a way for Gentiles to be saved through faith. Finally, they were given a time of rest from their travels and were able to fellowship with the disciples in Antioch.
The Christian life is hard and, in order to persevere in faith, we need support and encouragement. Paul returned to each of the churches he had established and encouraged the believers. Then, when he and Barnabas returned home, they spent time being encouraged by the disciples there. Are you meeting regularly with other believers, being encouraged and encouraging them?
Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan
Children and Parents: Ephesians 5-6