Acts 14:21-28 - Appointed Elders

Introduction

Trunk Or Treat 2023

Last Week

Paul and Barnabas go to a town preach, then heal a man lame from birth, and then they are worshipped as gods.

In this our application was that:

We are to raise our children to have a christian worldview

That we would turn from vain things and to a living God

That we would keep pushing forward

This Week

Today we are going to see Paul and his companions retrace his steps and encourage believers

We will also see Paul appoint elders - and we will discuss what elders are.

The Text - Acts 14:21-28

Paul Returns to strengthen Disciples (v.21-22)

Acts 14:21–22 ESV

21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

“Preached the gospel to that city”

That city is Derbe - This would be the farthest point in which Paul would go from his original starting point (Antioch)

“Made many disciples”

Christians are called to make disciples - not just converts

“Returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch - Strengthening disciples”

Paul returned to where he was stoned to strengthen the believers

We are called to encourage those around us - making their faith stronger.

“Encouraging them to continue in the faith…many tribulations”

The christian walk is a road that is filled with persecution.

Being a christian does not mean your life will be easier - in fact being a christian will make your life harder

Appointed Elders (v.23)

Acts 14:23 ESV

23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Elder = pastor

How does one become an elder/pastor?

Well that varies between congregations - many choose them through different processes

Election

Nomination

Call from the outside

Who can be a pastor/elder? What are the qualifications?

Go through the qualifications

Found in 1 Tim 3:1-7

1 Timothy 3:1–7 ESV

1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

Also in Titus 1: 5-9

Titus 1:5–9 ESV

5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

What do elders/pastors do?

They lead the flock, teach, shepherd, give counsel

How many elders should a church have?

Some have one - but I believe that it is more biblical to have a plurality of elders.

Will we have more than one elder one day?

Hopefully!

Paul and Barnabas give report (v.24-28)

Acts 14:24–28 ESV

24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, 26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. 27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they remained no little time with the disciples.

This is the end of the first missionary journey!

Conclusion

We make disciples

The Christian walk includes tribulations

Elders are called to shepherd and lead the flock