Paul and Barnabas, these two pioneers, have been preaching and teaching, and when it was geographically easier to go on home, they re-trace their steps in order to visit the new Christian Fellowships which have been birthed and founded as a direct result of their ministry in the towns and cities of central Turkey. We can read all about this at the end of Acts Chapter 14 in the New Testament. Do check all this out for yourself.

Here is the pattern, which we would be wise to follow today. You go and preach Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, crucified and risen, and pouring out The Holy Spirit. People believe. They come to have a real vibrant faith as they experience all Almighty God has to offer, but then, you have to build them up in the faith, and Paul knew God's methods.

Some consider Paul to be a hard man - almost heartless and uncaring - laying down certain laws and lacking in compassion. No, no - that is not what we see here. Here we see how he is really concerned and caring and loving. He does not want to see any fall away.

He wants us to persevere in the faith, and that is seldom taught.

These are concepts and words whose currency has almost been devalued. That is another reason why we need to know God's Way - God's methods - as these are presented to us in God's Word.

Paul went back to see if those who had tasted the love of Jesus were growing up in the various fellowships of believers. Believers MUST be in the Church. Disciples MUST be in the Church of Jesus Christ, and this has to be visible and physical, wherever possible.

The Church is the body of Christ - the family of the Father - and this is where bodies and families grow.

Soldiers are effective ONLY when they are in the army, and under orders. We are not effective disciples in the New Testament sense until we are rightly related in the Local Church. Christians can only be strong when they are committed and involved and worshipping and praying and serving and ministering and feeding upon the Word of God, in loving fellowships.

Paul taught them, in verse 22, that they were in for much trouble. He could show them his own scars - the wounds and the bruises. This is how he strengthened disciples of Jesus - by telling them the whole truth - by explaining to them that it was going to be tough.

Paul presented no soft option. He is too concerned with reality as he prepares these believers for much suffering.

Paul, like Jesus Christ, His Saviour and Lord, faced tribulation and suffering, throughout his whole ministry, and he came through it all triumphantly and victoriously. But to come through it, we have to go through it first.

"We cannot move forward without friction."

In all the churches they ordained elders, and note the manner of appointing and ordaining elders - with prayer and fasting. They wanted to be sure that the men they were ordaining were the men who would do the work of God in that city.

If the Church wants faithful spiritual leadership it must be done in a biblically spiritual way.

If we do not use biblical methods, how can we expect biblical results?

After prayer and fasting and the laying on of hands, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had put their trust. And why? Because, as soon as Paul and Barnabas moved on, these elders would have to conduct the worship - lead the prayers - teach the Word - deal with the pastoral problems - and minister to the needs of the people.

These are men of God - young in the faith, in a sense - but men of God with such potential, who are capable of giving guidance and leadership, and they are appointed as spiritual leaders and recognised and respected by all the others as spiritual leaders.

This too is part of MISSION.

Paul and Barnabas set sail for their own home church of Antioch, having fulfilled all that Jesus had called them and led them to do. They have travelled around 1,200 miles, and it took around 2 to 3 years. There must have been the satisfaction of a job for Jesus well done.

They came into their local church and they began to share all that God had done with them - and through them. They gave a full report.

We must share at times what Jesus has done with us and through us, especially with the people who have been praying for us. They had supported Paul in prayer. Now, they sit listening as he describes how Jesus had saved people - transformed people - healed people – and of how God had opened doors.

Can you imagine Paul speaking about it all - the light of Jesus shining from his face - and the marks of persecution visible too?

I would have queued to be allowed into these meetings, and would have been early so as to get a seat right in the front row!

Yes, Jesus healed him, but the marks remained there as a reminder so that those who saw Paul would be aware that he was a loyal faithful and true soldier of Jesus Christ - a man of God who knew what it was to be in the front line.

He was now home to rest and be refreshed - to recuperate - and be repaired.

Sandy Shaw