Acts 14:20b-28 - The Great Commission Strengthening Disciples and Reporting Progress

Level 1

Recovery and Reinforcement
The Great Commission Builds Enduring Faith
(Believers)

After stoning in Lystra, Paul miraculously rises and heads to Derbe with Barnabas, preaching and making many disciples. They return through Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening souls: They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. 'We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,' they said (Acts 14:20b-28). Appointing elders with prayer and fasting, they commend them to the Lord. Back in Antioch, they report God's work opening doors for Gentiles. This consolidates The Great Commission, nurturing believers amid Christianity Accepted and Opposed. Relate it: Facing trials? Like Paul, encourage others to persevere. Act today—reach out to a new believer; strengthen their faith with your story.

Consolidating Gains
and Preparing for Future Mission
(Scholars / Pastors)

Acts 14:20b-28 describes the remarkable resilience of Paul and Barnabas after Paul's stoning in Lystra. Miraculously, Paul recovers and, despite the ordeal, they immediately proceed to Derbe, making many disciples. They then courageously revisit Lystra, Iconium, and Pisidian Antioch, strengthening new believers, encouraging them to persevere through "many tribulations" for The Great Commission, and appointing elders in every church. After passing through Pamphylia and Attalia, they return to Syrian Antioch, gathering the sending church. They report God's powerful work, especially how He "opened a door of faith to the Gentiles," concluding their first missionary journey and setting the stage for future global missions.

Level 2

Rising from Rocks
Nurturing New Life in the Great Commission
(Believers)

Paul's stoning in Lystra seems fatal, but surrounded by disciples, he rises—miraculous resilience shining. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe (Acts 14:20). In Derbe, they preach, winning many disciples—a fresh harvest despite scars.

Journey reverses: Returning through perilous Lystra, Iconium, Antioch—sites of opposition—they focus on fortification. They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. 'We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,' they said (verses 21-22). Honesty about trials prepares hearts, echoing Jesus' warnings (John 16:33).

Leadership established: Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust (verse 23). Prayer, fasting mark solemn commissioning, ensuring sustainability.

Traversing Pisidia to Pamphylia, preaching in Perga, they sail from Attalia to Antioch—their sending base. On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. And they stayed there a long time with the disciples (verses 27-28).

This circuit embodies The Great Commission's depth— not just conversion, but consolidation amid Christianity Accepted and Opposed. Teaching About Jesus and the Gospel encourages endurance, Connecting Acts to the Rest of the NT like Ephesians 4's elder roles.

Storytelling inspires: Imagine Paul, bruised but buoyant, urging fledglings to stand firm. Relatable: After highs come hardships; nurture your faith community.

Actionable: First, return to roots—revisit new believers, strengthen with truth. Second, warn realistically: Share hardships build resilience. Third, appoint wisely: Pray, fast for leaders. Fourth, report victories: Celebrate God's doors to outsiders. Fifth, linger: Invest time in fellowship. This built early church; fortify yours today!

Level 2: Expanded Insights
(Scholars / Pastors)

Acts 14:20b-28 meticulously details the closing phase of Paul's first missionary journey, highlighting the apostles' extraordinary resilience, their commitment to consolidating the work of The Great Commission, and the joyous report that affirmed Gentile inclusion. This passage provides vital insights into early church planting and leadership development.

The narrative immediately picks up after the near-fatal stoning of Paul in Lystra: "But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe." Paul's miraculous recovery is profound, underscoring divine preservation for The Great Commission and the direct power of The Holy Spirit's Role. His immediate action—getting up and departing for Derbe the next day—demonstrates remarkable spiritual and physical resilience, refusing to be deterred by severe Christianity Accepted and Opposed. In Derbe, they preach the Gospel and "make many disciples," signifying continued success for The Great Commission.

Having established new churches, Paul and Barnabas then undertake a courageous and strategic return journey, revisiting the cities where they had faced fierce persecution: "After they had preached the Gospel in that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, 'Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.'" This act of revisiting hostile territory demonstrates immense courage and a deep pastoral commitment to The Great Commission. Their purpose is three-fold:

  • Strengthening Souls: To encourage and affirm the new believers who had likely just witnessed their apostles facing intense Christianity Accepted and Opposed.

  • Perseverance in Faith: To exhort them to "continue in the faith," emphasizing the enduring nature of their commitment.

  • Reality of Suffering: To teach them that "through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." This is a crucial teaching for Christianity Accepted and Opposed, preparing them for the reality of suffering and providing a theological framework for understanding it. This teaching empowers disciples to withstand future persecution and continue The Great Commission.

A critical aspect of their consolidation work is the appointment of local leadership: "When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had believed." The appointment of "elders" (presbyteroi) in every church signifies the establishment of indigenous, self-sustaining leadership. This practice is vital for the long-term health and growth of The Great Commission, ensuring continuity of Teaching About Jesus and the Gospel and pastoral care after the apostles' departure. The accompanying acts of "prayer with fasting" underscore the seriousness of this decision and their reliance on The Holy Spirit's Role for divine guidance in leadership selection.

Their journey home continues through Pisidia, Pamphylia, and Perga, where they had previously ministered, culminating in sailing from Attalia back to Syrian Antioch, their sending church. Their arrival back in Antioch is marked by celebration and report: "When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles." This detailed report highlights God's sovereign action ("all that God had done") and culminates in the joyous affirmation of Gentile inclusion ("opened a door of faith to the Gentiles"). This public report to the sending church underscores accountability and shared ownership in The Great Commission. The phrase "opened a door of faith" becomes a recurring metaphor in Paul's letters (1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3), reflecting the divine opportunities for Gentile evangelism. The missionaries then spend "a long time with the disciples," strengthening the base for future missions. This triumphant conclusion of the first missionary journey provides crucial context for Connecting Acts to the Rest of the NT, particularly Paul's subsequent letters to the churches in Galatia and his reflections on his sufferings and apostleship.

Level 3

Resilience and Return
Fortifying Great Commission Through Trials
(Believers)

Envision Lystra's outskirts, Paul dragged, presumed dead after stoning. Yet, But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city (Acts 14:20). Miraculous—perhaps prayer revives, or sheer will; either way, defiance marks him. Next day, with Barnabas, they depart for Derbe— not retreating, but advancing. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe. They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples (verse 21a). Amid recovery, evangelism thrives; many embrace faith, expanding The Great Commission to fresh soil.

Journey pivots homeward, but purposefully: Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch (verse 21b). Bold—revisiting hostility sites shows commitment to nurture. Focus shifts to consolidation: Strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith (verse 22a). Teaching About Jesus and the Gospel emphasizes perseverance, vital for fledglings facing pressure.

They warn realistically: We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God (verse 22b). No sugarcoating—tribulation tempers, echoing Jesus' words (John 16:33), Connecting Acts to the Rest of the NT like 1 Peter's suffering for righteousness (1 Peter 4:12-13). Amid Christianity Accepted and Opposed, this prepares for inevitable trials.

Structure solidifies: Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust (verse 23). Elders—mature overseers—ensure continuity, modeled after Jerusalem (Acts 11:30). Prayer and fasting solemnize, invoking The Holy Spirit's Role for guidance, akin to Antioch's sending (Acts 13:2-3).

Route continues: After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia, and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia (verses 24-25). Preaching persists, filling gaps from earlier (Acts 13:13).

Triumphant return: From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. And they stayed there a long time with the disciples (verses 26-28). Full circle—reporting miracles, Gentile inclusions—celebrates God's faithfulness, inspiring senders.

This segment deepens The Great Commission—evangelism pairs with edification, ensuring lasting impact despite opposition.

Storytelling captivates: Feel stones' bruises, return's risk, elders' commissioning prayers, Antioch's joyful debrief. Inspirational: Paul's tenacity teaches endurance (2 Timothy 2:3).

Relatable: New faith needs nurturing; recall mentoring that steadied you amid doubts. Opposition refines—use it to build others.

Actionable blueprint: First, strengthen systematically—revisit converts, encourage faithfulness. Second, teach tribulations: Prepare believers for hardships as kingdom entry. Third, appoint prayerfully: Identify, commission leaders with fasting. Fourth, preach en route: Fill ministry gaps persistently. Fifth, report fully: Share victories to fuel community, highlighting Gentile doors.

This loop fortified early churches; apply to yours—nurture, endure, expand. Facing 'stonings'? Rise, return stronger—the Commission endures through such cycles!

Level 3: Comprehensive Analysis
(Scholars / Pastors)

Acts 14:20b-28 meticulously details the crucial closing phase of Paul's first missionary journey, illustrating the apostles' extraordinary resilience, their commitment to consolidating the work of The Great Commission, and the triumphant report that affirmed Gentile inclusion. This pericope provides vital insights into early church planting, leadership development, and the theological interpretation of suffering within the missionary endeavor.

I. Miraculous Recovery and Resilient Advance (Acts 14:20b-21a)

The narrative immediately picks up after the near-fatal stoning of Paul in Lystra (Acts 14:19), underscoring a powerful divine intervention.

  • Paul's Miraculous Recovery: "But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe." (Acts 14:20b-21a). Paul's recovery from a stoning—a common method of execution that typically resulted in death—is nothing short of miraculous. While Luke does not explicitly state it was a resurrection, his immediate ability to "get up" and travel the next day suggests divine intervention and The Holy Spirit's Role in his preservation. This miraculous healing and immediate resumption of travel demonstrate Paul's extraordinary resilience and his unwavering commitment to The Great Commission, refusing to be deterred by severe Christianity Accepted and Opposed. It reinforces Jesus's earlier prophecy to Ananias that Paul would suffer "great things" for His name (Acts 9:16), yet be divinely sustained.

  • Immediate Resumption of Mission: Despite the brutal ordeal, Paul's first act after recovery is to "enter the city" (Lystra) and then, the very next day, depart for Derbe. This immediate continuation of the journey highlights the urgency and single-mindedness of the missionary purpose. In Derbe, they preach the Gospel and "make many disciples," (euangelisamenoi tēn polin ekeinēn kai mathēteusantes hikanous) signifying the ongoing numerical success of The Great Commission in a new territory. This initial phase of consolidation immediately after profound suffering sets the tone for the apostles' continued endurance.

II. Consolidating the Gains: Strengthening, Encouraging, and Appointing Elders (Acts 14:21b-23)

Having pushed forward to Derbe, Paul and Barnabas then undertake a courageous and systematic return journey, demonstrating a deep pastoral commitment to nurturing the newly planted churches.

  • Courageous Revisit: "they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, 'Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.'" (Acts 14:21b-22). Re-visiting cities where they had faced fierce persecution (Paul having been stoned in Lystra, and both having faced plots in Iconium and Pisidian Antioch) demonstrates immense courage and a profound pastoral commitment. This acts as a powerful example of Christianity Accepted and Opposed in action – facing danger directly to care for the flock.

  • Three-fold Pastoral Mandate: Their purpose in revisiting is clear:

    • "Strengthening the souls of the disciples" (epistērizontes tas psychas tōn mathētōn): This involves fortifying their faith, providing doctrinal instruction, and encouraging them in their walk with Christ.

    • "Encouraging them to continue in the faith" (parakalountes emmenein tē pistei): This emphasizes perseverance and steadfastness in the face of inevitable challenges.

    • Teaching on Suffering: "and saying, 'Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.'" (hoti dia pollōn thlipseōn dei hēmas eiselthein eis tēn basileian tou Theou). This is a crucial and realistic teaching for new converts. It prepares them for the reality of suffering as an inherent part of the Christian life and an unavoidable aspect of Christianity Accepted and Opposed. It provides a theological framework for understanding adversity not as a sign of God's displeasure, but as a necessary pathway into the consummation of His kingdom. This instruction, derived from apostolic experience, would become a recurring theme in Paul's later epistles (e.g., Romans 5:3-5; Philippians 1:29; 2 Timothy 3:12).

  • Appointment of Elders: "When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had believed." (Acts 14:23). The appointment of "elders" (presbyteroi) in every newly established church signifies a systematic approach to church planting and a commitment to long-term sustainability. This established indigenous, local leadership ensures continuity of Teaching About Jesus and the Gospel and pastoral care after the apostles' departure. The practice of "prayer with fasting" underscores the gravity of this decision and their reliance on The Holy Spirit's Role for divine guidance in selecting qualified leaders (cf. Acts 6:3). This structure is vital for the continued growth and health of The Great Commission.

III. The Journey Home and Victorious Report (Acts 14:24-28)

Having consolidated the work in the new churches, Paul and Barnabas complete their homeward journey, culminating in a celebratory report to their sending church.

  • Return Through Pamphylia and Attalia: "They passed through Pisidia and came into Pamphylia. When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia." (Acts 14:24-25). Their return journey brings them back through regions where they had previously preached (e.g., Perga, from Acts 13:13). This demonstrates their thoroughness in revisiting and confirming the message. Attalia was a major port city on the coast of Pamphylia.

  • Reporting to the Sending Church: "From there they sailed to Antioch, from which they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had accomplished. When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles." (Acts 14:26-27).

    • Accountability: Their return to Syrian Antioch (their sending church) and their formal report highlight a crucial aspect of missionary accountability. They were "commended to the grace of God for the work" by this church (Acts 13:3), and now they report on the accomplishment of that work. This emphasizes the vital partnership between missionaries on the field and the sending church at home in The Great Commission.

    • Divine Agency: The report emphasizes "all that God had done with them," underscoring divine sovereignty and The Holy Spirit's Role as the true agent of mission.

    • "Opened a Door of Faith": The climactic message of their report is that God "opened a door of faith to the Gentiles." This metaphor (cf. 1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3) beautifully encapsulates the groundbreaking success of the Gentile mission. It signifies a divine opportunity and acceptance for non-Jews into the Gospel. This joyful affirmation of Gentile inclusion reinforces the theological breakthrough from Acts 10-11. This is a testament to The Great Commission's expansion beyond initial Jewish audiences.

  • Continued Fellowship: "And they spent a long time with the disciples." (Acts 14:28). This signifies a period of rest, fellowship, and continued teaching within the Antioch church, further solidifying the base for future missionary endeavors. This time allows for reflection on the lessons learned from Christianity Accepted and Opposed during the journey and continued prayerful planning for future steps in The Great Commission.

Acts 14:20b-28 concludes the first missionary journey with a triumphant declaration of God's power and faithfulness. It provides a comprehensive picture of The Great Commission's inner workings: from miraculous preservation and resilient proclamation despite Christianity Accepted and Opposed, to systematic church planting, leadership development (elders), and vital accountability to the sending church. The affirmation of God's "open door of faith to the Gentiles" stands as the crowning achievement of this journey, powerfully propelled by The Holy Spirit's Role and Teaching About Jesus and the Gospel, firmly establishing the universal trajectory of the Gospel and providing crucial context for Connecting Acts to the Rest of the NT through Paul's future epistles and missionary endeavors.