Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith… Confirming the souls of the disciples. Connect with the narrative, showing that spiritual aggressiveness at Antioch was the sign of a deep and true spiritual life. The haste and superficiality of the teaching from place to place. Confirmation not a ceremony, but a process. I. CONFIRMATION OF FAITH. Continue in the faith - both objective and subjective; not a creed alone, if that was given at all, but the real root or spiritual life. Faith was discipleship. II. CONFIRMATION IN THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE CHURCH. "Ordained [or, 'appointed'] them elders in every Church." A settled ministry; an orderly maintenance of worship. Preparation for work in the neighborhood. III. CONFIRMATION OF HOPE. The kingdom in view. Work towards the future. Tribulation prepares for higher life. - R. Parallel Verses KJV: Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. |
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