Acts 14:21 - When they had preached the Good News to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,
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What does "Acts 14:21" mean?
Acts 14:21 is a simple yet significant verse that summarizes the results of Paul and Barnabas's missionary journey to Derbe. Let's break it down:
"When they had preached the Good News to that city...": This refers to the city of Derbe (mentioned in the previous verse, Acts 14:20). Paul and Barnabas proclaimed the Gospel message about Jesus Christ in Derbe. The "Good News" (or "Gospel") is the message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection.
"...and had made many disciples...": Their preaching was effective. They didn't just share the message; they made disciples. This means they converted people to Christianity and taught them to follow Jesus, living according to His teachings. Discipleship is an active process of learning, obedience, and transformation. The phrase "many disciples" indicates a significant number of people accepted the Gospel and committed to following Christ.
"...they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,": These are the cities where they had previously faced persecution and opposition (as described earlier in Acts 13 and 14). Notice that they returned to these places, despite the dangers. This highlights their courage and commitment to nurturing the new believers in those areas. Their return was likely motivated by a desire to:
Strengthen the believers: Encourage the new converts in their faith.
Organize the church: Provide leadership and structure to the fledgling Christian communities.
Deal with opposition: Address any lingering issues or challenges from those who opposed the Gospel.
Reaffirm their mission: Show that they were not deterred by previous opposition.
In essence, this verse demonstrates the cyclical nature of Paul and Barnabas's missionary work: preaching the Gospel, making disciples, and then returning to strengthen and support those new believers, even in the face of adversity. It highlights not only the initial spread of the Gospel but also the importance of nurturing and establishing the early church in various regions. It also showcases the courage and dedication of the apostles.
Acts 14:21 - When they had preached the Good News to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,
What does "Acts 14:21" mean?
Acts 14:21 is a simple yet significant verse that summarizes the results of Paul and Barnabas's missionary journey to Derbe. Let's break it down:
"When they had preached the Good News to that city...": This refers to the city of Derbe (mentioned in the previous verse, Acts 14:20). Paul and Barnabas proclaimed the Gospel message about Jesus Christ in Derbe. The "Good News" (or "Gospel") is the message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection.
"...and had made many disciples...": Their preaching was effective. They didn't just share the message; they made disciples. This means they converted people to Christianity and taught them to follow Jesus, living according to His teachings. Discipleship is an active process of learning, obedience, and transformation. The phrase "many disciples" indicates a significant number of people accepted the Gospel and committed to following Christ.
"...they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,": These are the cities where they had previously faced persecution and opposition (as described earlier in Acts 13 and 14). Notice that they returned to these places, despite the dangers. This highlights their courage and commitment to nurturing the new believers in those areas. Their return was likely motivated by a desire to:
Strengthen the believers: Encourage the new converts in their faith.
Organize the church: Provide leadership and structure to the fledgling Christian communities.
Deal with opposition: Address any lingering issues or challenges from those who opposed the Gospel.
Reaffirm their mission: Show that they were not deterred by previous opposition.
In essence, this verse demonstrates the cyclical nature of Paul and Barnabas's missionary work: preaching the Gospel, making disciples, and then returning to strengthen and support those new believers, even in the face of adversity. It highlights not only the initial spread of the Gospel but also the importance of nurturing and establishing the early church in various regions. It also showcases the courage and dedication of the apostles.