Acts 14:20-28 - Apostolic Church Planting

Join Pastor Alan Quinones as we conclude the glorious chapter of Acts 14, marking the end of the Apostle Paul's first missionary journey with Barnabas. This text details their return route, strengthening the souls of new disciples made among the Gentiles.

The focus of this passage is the establishment and nature of the church. Paul and Barnabas were not merely making converts who would make decisions for Jesus, but they were actually making disciples and planting churches where they could learn the word of Christ, grow, and be accountable.

We explore three key characteristics of the church revealed in Acts 14:20-28:

1. The Church is a Militant Institution (A Suffering People): Paul and Barnabas encouraged disciples to continue in the faith, reminding them, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God". Paul demonstrated this courage himself, immediately rising up and continuing the mission to Derby the day after he was stoned and left for dead in Lystra. The life of a Christian involves many afflictions, including resisting sin, the world, and the devil, but the end goal of entering the Kingdom of God makes the suffering seem small.

2. The Church is Orderly: Paul and Barnabas ensured proper structure by appointing elders for them in every church. This appointment, done through purposeful intense prayer with fasting, involved selecting men based on apostolic standards and spiritual qualifications, such as being above reproach, able to teach, and managing their own household well (drawing comparisons to 1 Timothy 3). Elders are servants, not overlords, who serve primarily through the instruction of the Word of God.