Daily Thought

With the commendation of the saints in Antioch, Paul and Barnabas had departed for Cyprus, accompanied by John Mark. From Cyprus they sailed for Turkey, then known as Asia Minor. They testified in such cities as Iconium, Derbe, Lystra, Perga, and the other Antioch in Pisidia, before eventually sailing from Attalia back to Antioch in Syria. Now, all this was not without persecution. Indeed, it was in Lystra that they stoned Paul and drew him out of the city supposing him to be dead. Many think that it is to this experience that Paul refers in 2 Corinthians chapter 12 verses 2 and 3; caught up into paradise, whether in the body or out of the body he could not tell.

During these journeys the apostles preached, as opportunity was afforded to them, in the synagogues. Great multitudes of Jews believed, as did many Greeks also, v. 1. Assemblies were formed, and it soon became evident that there was a need for elders; men to carry responsibility in the churches.

Paul and Barnabas continued in a ministry of confirmation, exhortation, encouragement, and comfort. Then, with prayer and fasting, they ordained elders in every church. Now, the word ‘ordained’ could be misleading. To some it will convey the idea of an official ordination, but this is not so. The word simply means that they ‘pointed out’, or ‘marked out’ the brethren suitable for this ministry of leading and shepherding in the assemblies, and there was obviously a plurality of such men in each church.

Such apostolic guidance is not with us today, nor is it necessary. These early saints did not have the New Testament scriptures that we have. Today we are privileged to have a completed Bible, and the appropriate scriptures, as 1 Timothy chapter 3, Titus chapter 1 and 1 Peter chapter 5, will direct us to a recognition of our elders. The risen Christ gives the men, the Holy Spirit equips the men, and the spiritual among the saints will recognize them. However, we still need that spirit of prayer in which these first elders were marked out by the apostles.