Some people have the impression of Paul as the missionary who traveled only to areas not yet touched by the gospel. But in his travels he did the same as in his letters: he visited congregations he had already established and taught them further.
After spending some time in Antioch, Paul went through the regions of Galatia and Phrygia, where he strengthened ⌞the faith of⌟ all the disciples. Acts 18.23 GW.
This moment, mentioned above, is the second time he returns to the regions where he had preached the Word of God. He did the same after his first mission trip:
After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return and visit the brothers in every town where we proclaimed the word of the Lord to see how they are doing.” Acts 15.36 NET.
Paul fulfilled Jesus’ command, for in making disciples he immersed them and continued teaching the faithful to obey everything Christ had commanded, Matthew 28.19-20. Or, as some Bible versions explain, he strengthened “the faith of” all the disciples.
This work of teaching and spiritually strengthening all the disciples is just as important as teaching them how to obey the gospel and receive salvation. For it is necessary to remain saved.
Teaching does not stop upon reaching the point of immersion in water. Even the apostle said he had been sent “to further the faith” of God’s elect, Titus 1.1 NET, NIV. The phrase literally says, “for the faith.” In his opening statement, Paul was explaining what he was about to do in the letter to Titus.
Balance is needed. Both conversion-teaching and faith-building are essential. Doing only the first makes weak Christians and causes many to give up. Doing only the second causes a loss of vitality and guarantees that the congregation will eventually die.
Of course, to do both, God’s people must understand they have a mission to fulfill and they are to love fervently one another.
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