Today's readings are Psalm 125, Judges 6.1-24, and Acts 14.19-15.5.
We continue noticing our pattern of New Testament persecution in today's readings, as Paul is stoned in Lystra at the instigation of the Jewish opposition. After Paul's apparently miraculous recovery, Paul and Barnabas go on to various churches encouraging the believers. I think we will do well to notice the pattern of leadership which emerges in today's reading. The apostles, here two who were not among the original apostles, but who seem in Scripture to be treated with apostolic authority, go to different locations, encouraging the saints, and appointing elders.
This idea of biblical eldership is one which I fear our modern congregations have lost. In the New Testament, those people referred to as elders are treated as and are doing the work of pastors. Yet in modern Christianity we often see elders rotating in and out of leadership roles, serving essentially as a board of directors, not being people who are qualified, gifted, and committed to caring for the flock of God. I wonder if we can recapture the role of the elder? I challenge my readers, as I challenge myself, to study the Scriptural pattern and to be serious about the role of the elder in the local congregation. May the Lord raise up many of these godly men to care for His flock.
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