NOTES for Act 14:19-28
19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. |
20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. |
21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, |
22 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. |
23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. |
24 And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. |
25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: |
26 And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. |
27 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. |
28 And there they abode long time with the disciples. |
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"Through many tribulations we must enter the Kingdom of God"... What exactly does this mean? Are troubles necessary for salvation, or are they simply inevitable? In other words, where should the emphasis be placed in this phrase?
The emphasis belongs in a place quite different from where we are used to putting it. The main thing in this phrase is not "tribulations," but "enter the Kingdom." There are and will be tribulations for everyone - for Christians and non-Christians alike. Sometimes Christians have far more tribulations than others; sometimes people find themselves in such an unfavorable position not for religious reasons at all, but, for example, because of their nationality...
However, Paul gives us joyful news: these tribulations can and must become our path into the Kingdom of God. And it depends only on us whether we make use of this possibility - to entrust everything into God's hands and receive everything back from Him again, and in this way enter the Kingdom.
Readings for 5 May 2026
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