Paul and Barnabas remain with the new Christians to strengthen them in the way of Jesus Christ.

Acts 14:3

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“Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.” Acts 14:3

Paul and Barnabas were having phenomenal success in bringing multitudes of people to Jesus Christ. The new converts needed to be strengthened in the word of God, through Jesus Christ, not the laws of Judaism. The survival of the new converts may have been slim in face of the people who were being poisoned against them. For this reason, Paul and Barnabas stayed with them for a long time to strengthen the brothers and sisters in Christ. They continued to speak boldly in the name of Jesus Christ and being a living example of His grace.

Whereas minds were poisoned against Christians, the Lord granted Paul and Barnabas the ability to do great wonders and signs. Those wonders and signs were the anti-dote to the poison in the minds of those who came against the way of Christ. Whereas multitudes gathered for the physical healings within the great signs and wonders, they returned home as Believers not performers of signs and wonders.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we should do what we can to encourage and strengthen fellow believers in this atheistic culture where minds are poisoned against those who share the Gospel of Christ. This becomes increasingly more difficult as the times progresses. As we continue a long time in a place, those around us will see the Holy Spirit living through us, who teaches us, “…to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.” Titus 3:1-2

We live so that the grace of God will be seen in us, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:17 The greatest miracle of all is the born-again experience by the forgiveness of unbelief and being infilled with the Holy Spirit. Our born-again experience is the Gospel of Christ written on our heart.

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11