Introduction
Acts 14:21–28: Before returning to Antioch in Syria, Paul and Barnabas go back to places they had visited at the outset to strengthen and encourage the believers.
Today’s Key Verse: Acts 14:27 GNT
When [Paul and Barnabas] arrived in Antioch, they gathered the people of the church together and told them about all that God had done with them and how he had opened the way for the Gentiles to believe.
Read
21 Paul and Barnabas preached the Good News in Derbe and won many disciples. Then they went back to Lystra, to Iconium, and on to Antioch in Pisidia. 22 They strengthened the believers and encouraged them to remain true to the faith. “We must pass through many troubles to enter the Kingdom of God,” they taught. 23 In each church they appointed elders, and with prayers and fasting they commended them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.
24 After going through the territory of Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 There they preached the message in Perga and then went to Attalia, 26 and from there they sailed back to Antioch, the place where they had been commended to the care of God’s grace for the work they had now completed.
27 When they arrived in Antioch, they gathered the people of the church together and told them about all that God had done with them and how he had opened the way for the Gentiles to believe. 28 And they stayed a long time there with the believers.
Reflect
What is your understanding of the words of Paul and Barnabas: “We must pass through many troubles to enter the Kingdom of God” (verse 22)? If someone asked you to tell them about all that God has done for you in your life, how would you answer?
Pray
Lord God, I thank and praise you for opening the way for all who believe in you. In faith I place my trust in you and in your promises. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Acts 16:1–15: Paul embarks on his second missionary journey.
