Acts 14:21-23 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
On Paul’s first missionary journey, he and Barnabas preached the gospel primarily to four cities – Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. Then they turned around and went back through each city ‘confirming the souls of the disciples’. I suppose this may be where some churches get their concept of ‘confirmation’. The word means to strengthen or to support further. It means they sat down with those who had trusted in Jesus Christ and taught them more about Him. They encouraged the believers and helped them get ready for tribulation and trials that would come as a result of being Christ-followers.
These new churches also needed leadership. Of course, Jesus Christ is the head of the church, but he uses shepherds to help feed his flock. So, Paul and Barnabas ‘ordained’ elders in every church. This means they selected or appointed elders in each church. This is important because we see that Paul wanted the churches to have shepherds to serve them. He knew that it could be years before he returned and God’s flock needs shepherds.
This ordination involved prayer and fasting as they sought the will of God for each church. Here are a few things that are interesting about this. First, the men were from the church where they served. Paul did not send someone from the outside. He will do this later with Timothy, Titus and others, but the majority of congregations had a pastor who was one of them. Second, there were elders in each church. There were more than one in each church. The church needs men who love them and will shepherd them. Third, Paul trusted the Lord with these men and commended them to the Lord. Some of these men had not been believers long. As the title ‘elder’ assumes, they were men of maturity. They were fatherly in their love for the people and apparently, the people recognized that these men were some of the more mature men in the Congregation.
Paul said in another place:
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Paul was confident that a real relationship with Jesus will continue until he returns. I thank God for the pastors in my life. I hope you do too. They are a special gift to the church.
In Christ,
Rody
