November 3

Acts 14: 19-28

19 But Jews came there from Antioch and Iconium and won over the crowds. Then they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples surrounded him, he got up and went into the city. The next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 After they had proclaimed the good news to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, then on to Iconium and Antioch. 22 There they strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, "It is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God." 23 And after they had appointed elders for them in each church, with prayer and fasting they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had come to believe. 24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had completed. 27 When they arrived, they called the church together and related all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith for the Gentiles. 28 And they stayed there with the disciples for some time.
The movement away from being a sub-group of Jews is moving onward. Paul and Barnabas are facing increasing persecution from members of the synagogue. So the movement now proceeds to establish its own internal structure. Paul and Barnabas move on from place to place. The local leadership is now composed of elders that have been selected through a process of prayer and fasting.

Local communities of faith are now established that are to expand the mission of the church and to care for the members of the community. The congregation is born. Again it is in response to persecution that the church matures.

The reporting to the sending congregation, Antioch, is about what God was doing through them and how the church is growing among the Gentiles. The seeds have been sown for the first major decision of the new church. Will the church move with confidence among the Gentiles? What will be the limits of this movement and how will that affect those from the Jewish community who are now part of the church? These questions will dominate the next few chapters.

Reflection questions:
1. Why is the gospel proclamation shifting to the Gentiles?
2. What issues do you see that will need to be addressed if the church is to move to the Gentiles?
3. What is the significance of the selection and appointment of elders in the community?