Paul went back to his home church and stayed there for a while:
In Acts 14:26-28 we read the following;
…And
thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of
God for the work which they fulfilled. And when they were come, and had
gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them,
and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. And there they abode
long time with the disciples.
Paul returned home to Antioch
and resumed a close relationship with his home church, cheering their hearts
and encouraging them by reports of the work. His ministry did not cease once he
arrived back home. The missionary ought not to seek merely to bless his target
people “over there.” He should seek to bless the “home folks” as well.
Some literature speaks of
Paul returning to Antioch in order to “report back” to his authority, but I
think this misses the point. Paul wasn’t merely dutifully reporting to his
boss; instead, he was celebrating with family! He rejoiced with the church,
stayed with them for quite some time, resumed his old teaching and leadership
duties, and even engaged in deep theological controversy with the Judaizers in
the very next chapter.
Paul wanted to celebrate with his Antiochan family because
the missionary task is not a “one man show.” This was their mutual work.
Missions is a state of total war; not all go far away to fight, but all labor
on behalf of the war effort.
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