Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God

 Good morning. After Paul was stoned, he and Barnabas returned to the cities they had come through. They strengthened the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, saying, through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. After what he had just gone through, Paul would know something about tribulations. When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. First notice that it had been at least some amount of time since they had brought the gospel to these cities. The believers would have matured somewhat so that those who were to be elders would have become more evident. Also notice that it was not just a matter of opinion; sometimes believers can seem mature when they really aren’t. They prayed with fasting. That is what happened when Paul and Barnabas were selected to go on the mission trip. They continued on the return trip and finally came back to Antioch, from which they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had accomplished. When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all the things that God had done with them and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, which was a big deal among the Jewish Christians. As you will see next time, they still believed that the Gentiles should become Jews at the time they became Christians. Paul and Barnabas spent a long time with the disciples there. Father thank You that You take care of us and our families. Provide all that they need. Help them to have a great week.

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