WE MUST GO THROUGH MANY HARDSHIPS

Passage: Acts 14:19-28

Key verse: 22

NIV

19 Then some Jews(A) came from Antioch and Iconium(B) and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul(C) and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. 20 But after the disciples(D) had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

The Return to Antioch in Syria

21 They preached the gospel(E) in that city and won a large number(F) of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium(G) and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.(H) “We must go through many hardships(I) to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. 23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders[a](J) for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting,(K) committed them to the Lord,(L) in whom they had put their trust. 24 After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia,(M) 25 and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.

26 From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch,(N) where they had been committed to the grace of God(O) for the work they had now completed.(P) 27 On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them(Q) and how he had opened a door(R) of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.(S)

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Footnotes
  1. Acts 14:23 Or Barnabas ordained elders; or Barnabas had elders elected
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Paul Stoned at Lystra

19 (A)But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, (B)they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had (C)made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 (D)strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them (E)to continue in (F)the faith, and saying that (G)through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had (H)appointed (I)elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting (J)they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Paul and Barnabas Return to Antioch in Syria

24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, 26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, (K)where they had been (L)commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. 27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, (M)they declared all that God had done with them, and (N)how he had (O)opened (P)a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they remained no little time with the disciples.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Some Jews from Antioch and Iconium came to Lystra and made trouble for Paul and Barnabas. They stoned Paul and left him for dead. But he got up and went right back into the city. The next day, they left for Derbe. They preached the gospel there and won over many believers. They strengthened and encouraged the new believers saying, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” (22) The believers there were likely going through hardships themselves, as they struggled with the word of God. There are many hardships we must endure in our lives of faith. We can be encouraged with Paul’s words here and remember the end goal is the kingdom of God.

After appointing elders to the church in Derbe, with much fasting and prayer, they left for Antioch. This was the church from which they had been sent out. There, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them. Through them, God had opened a door for gospel work with the Gentiles of the world. It was just the beginning of a new era in the Christian church.

Prayer: Father, help us to go through all the hardships of this life. Help us to persevere for the sake of the kingdom of God.

One Word: Persevere through many hardships