Acts 14:19-28

TEXT (You can right click and select "Open Link in New Window" or "Open Link in New Tab". That will let you travel back and forth to read here and there.) If for some reason you didn't read the text before starting to read this blog, go back now and do so. Our reading takes us through the last legs of Paul's first missionary journey. (See map and additional information HERE.) In Acts 13:2 Luke tells the story of the Holy Spirit calling Saul (Paul) and Barnabas to a particular work and then telling the prophets in Antioch to set them apart. They fast and pray and lay hands on Saul and Barnabas and send them out. Imagine the mix of anticipation and anxiety those two felt as they sailed off to alter the course of history. What faith! But in our reading we see their faith grown even bolder. Look again at verse 23. After making their loop planting churches in Asia minor they go back through, ordain elders, and head back to Antioch in Syria. Can you imagine? These elders weren't the mature Christians. They were likely mature believers. But think about it. They had no New Testament. They had no Sunday School curriculum or Bible Teacher Workshops. They had no creeds or brotherhood newspapers or filmstrips. Al Gore hadn't even invented the internet yet! But Paul and Barnabas blessed them, left them believing leadership, and trusted the Holy Spirit to build them into the body of Christ. That is something we can't leave behind.