Completion of the Mission

 

David cook shared the following experience. "My brothers and I had traveled to the western edge of Zimbabwe to raft the Zambezi River. We boarded our raft at the base of the Victoria Falls. Our guide said, 'when the raft flips …' There was no 'If the raft flips' or 'on the off chance we get flipped' but 'when the raft flips.' He went on, 'stay in the rough water. You will be tempted to swim toward the stagnate water at the edge of the banks. Don't do it. Because it is in the stagnate water that the crocs wait for you. They are large and hungry. Even when the raft flips, stay in the rough water.'

In Acts 1:8 Jesus told his disciples that they would be his witnesses in ever-widening circles, from Jerusalem, to Judea, to Samaria, and finally to the ends of the earth. By Acts 5: 28 the disciples had filled Jerusalem with the gospel. After death of Stephen the disciples were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria, preaching the gospel wherever they went (Acts 8:1,4). In Acts 11 the first Gentile church was started in Antioch Syria.

In Acts 13 this church sends off Barnabas and Saul to take the gospel to the uncharted territories. They set off for what would be Paul’s first of three missionary journeys. Acts 14:1-20 describes the last half of the journey until they reach Derbe the farthest point. Instead of pressing on to unreached territory beyond Derbe, they make their way back home to Antioch of Syria. Acts 14:21-28 describe their journey home.  

From Derbe, they could have crossed the Tarsus mountain range and taken a short boat ride. Instead, of taking the quick route south, they backtrack through the cities where they have established churches. The return journey is summed up in a few verses and yet it is as important as the outward journey. As they went out they preached and won disciples to Christ; as they return they organize churches and exhort the newly made disciples.

From Derbe “Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust” (Acts 14:21-23).

It required courage, determination and devotion to start back the long journey by which they had come and through the cities they had fled due to persecution. Nevertheless, they resolved to do it. Psalm126:5-6  states “those who sow with tears ...those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them”. Only Sowing produces the reaping; you need to remember this every time tears tempt you to give up sowing.

In Proverbs 14:4 we find a great proverb; “where no oxen are, the trough is clean; but much increase comes by the strength of an ox”. Without the hard work (symbolized by the oxen), there is little or no harvest. Choosing “no oxen” means avoiding the daily chores, feed bills and inevitable manure piles. But, a clean manger is only possible when there are no oxen in it.

An unused feeding trough may stay spotless, yet it also testifies that nothing productive is happening. A gleaming barn that never smells of oxen is really a monument to missed opportunity. Abundant fruit in our service to God will oftentimes involve unpleasant situations and heavy labor. But, the end results are so wonderful that they make all the challenges and all the hard work worth it.

Paul and Barnabas return journey through the same cities is more pastoral in focus. They now have groups of converts in each city and these new believers can carry on the work of evangelizing their own cities if they get grounded in the faith. Paul and Barnabas want to do far more than gain conversions; they have a passion to make and multiply disciples. Their return also reveals a shepherd’s heart.

In Acts 14:21-23 Paul and Barnabas demonstrate to us a biblical strategy of follow-up and discipleship. Here we see them doing three indispensable things: fortifying believers’ inner lives, urging steady perseverance and framing suffering as the God-appointed pathway to glory. The phrase "strengthening the souls of the disciples" implies a process of firmly establishing and fortifying their inner faith.

Paul and Barnabas know the pitfalls of young believers. In the “Parable of Sower” (Matt. 13:1-23), Jesus said that when anyone hears the message and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. He said that those who have no root will quickly fall away when trouble or persecution comes. He warned that worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth can choke the word, making it unfruitful.

Holding to the gospel teaching is the mark of genuine faith. To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples”(John 8:31). The early disciples faced a lot of persecution and needed spiritual resilience. Paul and Barnabas know that it takes a strong soul to walk with the Lord, year after year, trial after trial. Strengthening the "souls" suggests a focus on the centre of their relationship with God (Prov.4:23, Matt. 22:37).  

The process of strengthening and encouraging others in the faith is an active part of discipleship, requiring intentionality and commitment to the spiritual well-being of others. Healthy discipleship still follows this pattern—building strong hearts in Scripture, cheering one another toward lifelong faithfulness and facing inevitable trials with the confidence that all who share Christ’s sufferings will share His kingdom (Rom.8:17).

Acts 14: 22 say “we must go through many tribulations to enter the kingdom of God.” The word "tribulation"comes from the Latin word "tribulum" which was a heavy wooden threshing tool used in ancient times.A tribulum was dragged over harvested wheat to crush the husks and separate the valuable grain from the useless chaff. The master will remove all the chaff before taking the grains into the barn (Matt 3:12).

Rather than promising an easy life, the apostles give new believers a realistic expectation of the Christian journey. They point out to them that the Christian life will be a very difficult one. The word “must” points to divine necessity, not mere probability. In his last letter as he got near the end of his live, Paul wrote “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:10-12).

Suffering is not a detour; it is the normal road for followers of Christ. The effort to live a devoted life does not eliminate tribulations. Hardships are not to be seen as a sign of God's absence but as a part of the Christian journey. Hardships refine and strengthen faith, preparing believers for the kingdom of God. The form and fashion of tribulation change with changing years but the principle abides.

The believers of the early church did suffer greatly, both in degree and variety (Heb 11:33-39, 2 Cor.11:23-28) for their faith. When they suffered, the Holy Spirit gave them strength, resolve, and hope of eternity with God. 1 Peter 1: 6-7 says “though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith, of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire, may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed”.

James 1:2-4 tells us to “consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Romans 5:3-4 states, "suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope."

Remaining steadfast in faith despite facing trials and tribulations is a testament to your commitment to Christ. Keeping an eternal perspective helps believers to endure present difficulties, knowing that these trials are temporary and lead to eternal glory. The road is “narrow” (Matt. 7:14), but the destination is sure. Years later Paul said to the elders of the Ephesus church, “tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus” (Acts 20:23-24).

Paul and Barnabas appoint elders for them in each church (Acts 14:23). They enfold those who have been won to Christ into organized churches and appoint mature spiritual leaders for them. The appointments indicate a structured approach to church governance, ensuring continuity and stability. Every local congregation receive elders. No church is considered too small or young to need leadership. Discipleship and sanctification (becoming Christ-like) has just started.

Apostle Peter wrote “to the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder ... Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away (1 Peter 5:1-4).

Paul and Barnabas appoint elders “with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust” (Acts 14:23). Prayer and fasting underscores the seriousness with which they approach the appointment of church leaders. They seek God’s direction rather than relying on their own wisdom. Jesus spent the night praying before choosing the twelve disciples (Luke 6:12-16). The Antioch church prayed and fasted before commissioning Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:2-3).

Having done their part, the missionaries “hand over” the churches to God’s sovereign care. This trust acknowledges that ultimate security and growth come from the Lord; Christ Himself sustains His people. Paul and Barnabas acknowledge that the success and growth of the church depend on divine guidance and protection; therefore new believers will flourish even after they have left them.

After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia, and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed (Acts 14:24-26). The missionaries retrace their steps to the very fellowship that sent them (Acts 13:1-3). The return to Antioch signifies the completion of their mission and the satisfaction of finishing the job God gave.

“On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles” (Acts 14:27-28). It must have been a great day when the missionaries returned. It must have been thrilling to hear their stories. The focus was on God’s works, not their exploits. God had worked through His people to accomplish His purposes. His grace had kept them and empowered every task.

In some places there was great harvest; in others they did not get much response. But whatever the response, they were depending on the Lord. Being faithful, not necessarily being outwardly successful, is the important thing. Gathering with fellow believers to share and hear testimonies is vital for spiritual growth and encouragement. Sharing God’s deeds spreads faith (Ps.66:16 ). And they stayed there a long time with the disciples (Acts 14: 28).