Acts 14:21-28 – They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. 23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. 24 After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia, 25 and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. 27 On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.
“Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.” By spending time with their Brothers and Sisters, Paul and Barnabas, led by God, recognized the hand of God on men and appointed them to be elders over the church. In the early church all the Pastors were considered elders. Being someone who meets the qualifications of an elder are the qualifications to even be considered a pastor. Being ordained and revealed by God to be anointed to be so is the test. Financial or business success have no place as an essential qualification. In fact, make sure that an elder is not a “lover of money.” He must clearly be a lover of God and of the family of God. Being financially successful is neither a condition for, nor a condition against, being a leader in the church. A pastor, elder, teacher, deacon are people who love the Jesus, are fully submitted to Him, and have lived a life that is evidence of loving God. Love of the Word is essential, formal scholarship is not. Research the Word on the qualifications of an elder or deacon. See 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9. Beware of the person who strives for the position. The position should be filled by the one who is living a life that reveals his calling, not a person whose ambitions cause them to grasp for it.
Paul and Barnabas appointed elders to love the people of God, to teach and lead them, to comfort, protect and care for them. People will follow elders willingly who exhibit the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23a) and not because a person holds an office. People with a free will, who are not servants or employees, willingly respond to being led, not so well to being pushed. A wise, Holy Spirit led elder understands that. Beware those who don’t. In fact, beware those who tell you what they think more often than what the Word says and how the Spirit leads. How do our elders hold up against the elders of the first generation church? If they are all wealthy, is that a coincidence or a troubling revealing of why people voted them in or appointed? Paul and Barnabas fasted and prayed to be guided by God. By the way, these elders were not voted in, but were appointed as God lead. If we don’t trust our Pastors to be led by God to appoint the elders, why do we trust them to be our pastors? There is much more to this, pray and seek the truth by the leading of God and revealing of His Word.
“After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia, 25 and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed.” Again reviewing the provided map, we see how the missionaries had basically retraced their steps, following up where they had previously shared the Word of God and they checked in on the converts. The only difference was that after preaching the Word in Perga (It is not stated that they preached there the first time they passed through) they did not sail from there, but from Attalia.
Praise God who sees us through what He commits us to. God is faithful! All the time He is good to us and always and forever He loves us. Whatever we face in the future, may we always remember His goodness to us and His love of us. It will keep us to be faithful to He who is first faithful to us. Oh glory to God! He indeed is the Precious One of our hearts and guardian of our minds. Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.