Paul's First Missionary Journey - The Return to Antioch; Acts 14:21 – 28 Part 2

Church History: They retraced their steps to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, the cities where they had preached. They confirmed the souls of the disciples; that is, they impressed upon them the need to stay strong. Young converts are apt to waver, and little things shocks them. Their old acquaintances beg they will not leave them. Those that they look upon to be wiser than themselves set before them the absurdity, indecency, and danger, of a change. They were allured, by the prospect of preferment, to stick to the traditions of their fathers; they are frightened with the danger of swimming against the stream. All this tempts them to think of making a retreat in time; but the apostles came and told them that this is the true grace of God wherein they stand, and therefore they must stand to it that there is no danger like that of losing their part in Christ, no advantage like that of keeping their hold of him; that, whatever their trials may be, they shall have strength from Christ to pass through them; and, whatever their losses may be, they shall be abundantly recompensated. And this confirms the souls of the disciples; it fortifies their pious resolutions, in the strength of Christ, to adhere to Christ whatever it may cost them. They exhorted them to continue in the faith; or, as it may be read, they encouraged them. They told them it was both their duty and interest to persevere; to abide in the belief of Christ's being the Son of God, and the Savior of the world.
They ordained elders, or presbyters, in every church. Now at this second visit they settled them in some order. They formed them into religious societies under the guidance of a settled ministry, and determined the distinction between teachers and students. Every church had its governors or presidents, whose office it was to pray with the members of the church, to preach to them in their solemn assemblies, to administer all gospel ordinances to them, and to take the oversight of them. to instruct the ignorant, warn the unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, and convince gainsayers. It is requisite that every particular church should have one or more to preside in it. Those governors were called elders. they had in their qualification the wisdom and gravity of seniors, and had in their commission the authority and command of seniors: not to make new laws but to see to the observance and execution of the laws Christ has made; and so far they are to be obeyed and submitted to. By prayer joined with fasting they commended them to the Lord, to the Lord Jesus, on whom they believed