Faithful on Fridays Blog

Believers were never meant to be alone in their faith; God’s plan was for a community of believers to gather together and strengthen each other. With Covid that goal has been quenched since many churches are not coming together and online ‘church’ has become the norm. That’s not God’s best but it’ll do for now.

In Acts 14:14 we read about two apostles, Barnabas and Paul, who corrected an assumption they were gods due to the signs and wonders performed by their hands. They were leaders of the church, without doubt, but they would not receive any honor belonging to God. After enduring persecution from the religious Jews they did what leaders in any church should do: they encouraged the believers to remain strong in faith in the midst of tribulation because it’s inevitable. New Testament faith is living in the Kingdom of God and it’s symbiotic; meaning, we’re interdependent. We need each other.

Barnabas and Paul knew those relationships were vital to maintaining a healthy church community so discriminately they appointed elders to lead the new communities of faith. Every church today has some type of governing board which are necessary. People have a variety of ideas and opinions, consequently, it’s healthy to have a select group of people making the right decisions at the right time. 

There was quite a stir in Jerusalem when a decision arose about circumcision (Acts 15); do Gentiles need to be circumcised to be saved? There was much discussion with questions and opinions, consequently, division arose among the apostles and elders. Discussion is healthy but in the church it’s vital someone makes the final decision. Peter began, Paul and Barnabas continued the debate, and James as head pastor made that decision (15:13-21). There was now agreement with the leaders and Paul later wrote,

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

1 Corinthians 1:10 

In Acts 15:30-35 we find prophets, Judas and Silas, also leaders in the church community who encouraged, strengthened, and built up the believers. Again, Paul later wrote,

And He (Jesus) gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-12 

You don’t have to give someone a title for them to function in those areas but it’s crucial we recognize their responsibilities: be active in encouragement, strengthening, equipping, and building up the body of Christ. It’s our responsibility to pray for them, acknowledge their position, and strive for unity as they discern what is of the flesh, the Spirit, or the devil’s opposition. Paul had many opportunities in Acts 16 to learn to listen to the voice of the Spirit and so will our leaders; pray they listen to Him.