Acts 14:26 reads, "From there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled." Let's break down what this means:
"From there they sailed to Antioch...": This refers to Paul and Barnabas, who had been on a missionary journey (described in the preceding chapters of Acts). They were returning to Antioch, which served as their home base and the starting point for their mission.
"...from where they had been committed to the grace of God...": This is the key part of the verse. When Paul and Barnabas originally set out on their mission, the church in Antioch had prayed for them and entrusted them to God's grace and care. They were essentially commissioned or sent out with a blessing and a prayer that God would empower and guide them.
"...for the work which they had fulfilled.": This means that they had completed the specific tasks and goals that were envisioned for this particular mission. They had preached the Gospel in various cities, made disciples, and established churches.
In Summary:
The verse signifies the completion of a missionary journey and the return of Paul and Barnabas to their home church in Antioch. It highlights the fact that they were originally sent out with the church's prayers and reliance on God's grace, and now they have successfully completed the work they were tasked with.
Significance:
God's Providence: It underscores the belief that God was actively involved in their mission, guiding and enabling them to accomplish His purposes.
Church Support: It demonstrates the importance of the church's role in supporting and sending out missionaries.
Accountability: It implicitly suggests that Paul and Barnabas would likely report back to the church in Antioch about their experiences and the results of their mission.
Grace: it emphasized that their ability to do the work came through God's grace.
The verse is a short but powerful statement about the partnership between the church, the missionaries, and God in the spread of the Gospel.
Acts 14:26 reads, "From there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled." Let's break down what this means:
"From there they sailed to Antioch...": This refers to Paul and Barnabas, who had been on a missionary journey (described in the preceding chapters of Acts). They were returning to Antioch, which served as their home base and the starting point for their mission.
"...from where they had been committed to the grace of God...": This is the key part of the verse. When Paul and Barnabas originally set out on their mission, the church in Antioch had prayed for them and entrusted them to God's grace and care. They were essentially commissioned or sent out with a blessing and a prayer that God would empower and guide them.
"...for the work which they had fulfilled.": This means that they had completed the specific tasks and goals that were envisioned for this particular mission. They had preached the Gospel in various cities, made disciples, and established churches.
In Summary:
The verse signifies the completion of a missionary journey and the return of Paul and Barnabas to their home church in Antioch. It highlights the fact that they were originally sent out with the church's prayers and reliance on God's grace, and now they have successfully completed the work they were tasked with.
Significance:
God's Providence: It underscores the belief that God was actively involved in their mission, guiding and enabling them to accomplish His purposes.
Church Support: It demonstrates the importance of the church's role in supporting and sending out missionaries.
Accountability: It implicitly suggests that Paul and Barnabas would likely report back to the church in Antioch about their experiences and the results of their mission.
Grace: it emphasized that their ability to do the work came through God's grace.
The verse is a short but powerful statement about the partnership between the church, the missionaries, and God in the spread of the Gospel.