Follow-up

Paul revisited the towns where he had faced persecution to follow up with the believers, knowing the importance of discipleship after evangelism. The content of his follow-up included the following: “strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘It is through many tribulations that we must enter the kingdom of God.’” (1) Paul strengthened the hearts of the new believers, encouraging them to remain in their faith in Jesus. Those who had been saved from a pagan world needed encouragement amidst persecution. (2) Paul said, “It is through many tribulations that we must enter the kingdom of God.” This is a form of theological comfort. It does not mean that enduring suffering is a condition for entering the kingdom of God. These believers were already saved by faith. However, they needed to understand why believers face persecution. Here, the “kingdom of God” refers to the Messianic kingdom that will be established on earth. Until the fulfillment of the Messianic kingdom, many believers will go through suffering.

Entrusting the Lord

“When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” (1) Paul also encouraged the believers by organizing the churches. (a) Paul essentially copied the organizational structure of the Jewish synagogue and applied it to the church. (b) This is comfort provided through practical theology. (2) They appointed elders and prayed with fasting. Elders should not be new believers. “And not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into condemnation incurred by the devil” (1 Tim. 3:6). It is likely that those who had served as elders in the synagogue became elders in the church. (3) After praying, they entrusted them to the Lord. Surely, Paul and Barnabas would have wanted to stay and continue guiding the new believers, but it was not the will. Once they had done all they could, they could only entrust them to the Lord. This truth applies to us as well. After doing our best, we must learn to cast all our cares upon the Lord. The phrase, “they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had believed,” carries significant weight.