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The Acts of the Apostles
This was a young man named Timothy. When Paul was dragged out
of the city, this youthful disciple was among the number who took
their stand beside his apparently lifeless body and who saw him arise,
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bruised and covered with blood, but with praises upon his lips because
he had been permitted to suffer for the sake of Christ.
The day following the stoning of Paul, the apostles departed for
Derbe, where their labors were blessed, and many souls were led to
receive Christ as the Saviour. But “when they had preached the gospel
to that city, and had taught many,” neither Paul nor Barnabas was
content to take up work elsewhere without confirming the faith of the
converts whom they had been compelled to leave alone for a time in
the places where they had recently labored. And so, undaunted by
danger, “they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue
in the faith.” Many had accepted the glad tidings of the gospel and
had thus exposed themselves to reproach and opposition. These the
apostles sought to establish in the faith in order that the work done
might abide.
As an important factor in the spiritual growth of the new converts
the apostles were careful to surround them with the safeguards of
gospel order. Churches were duly organized in all places in Lycaonia
and Pisidia where there were believers. Officers were appointed in
each church, and proper order and system were established for the
conduct of all the affairs pertaining to the spiritual welfare of the
believers.
This was in harmony with the gospel plan of uniting in one body all
believers in Christ, and this plan Paul was careful to follow throughout
his ministry. Those who in any place were by his labor led to accept
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Christ as the Saviour were at the proper time organized into a church.
Even when the believers were but few in number, this was done. The
Christians were thus taught to help one another, remembering the
promise, “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there
am I in the midst of them.”
Matthew 18:20
.
And Paul did not forget the churches thus established. The care
of these churches rested on his mind as an ever-increasing burden.
However small a company might be, it was nevertheless the object
of his constant solicitude. He watched over the smaller churches
tenderly, realizing that they were in need of special care in order that