The return home.
The furthest limit of the mission of Paul and Barnabas is not reached till their visit is paid to Derbe. After the recovery by miracle of Paul from his stoning, the next day he advances with Barnabas to Derbe. And after some time spent there and much work done, of which no details are given, the two apostles set their face homeward. And it is evident that the Spirit still leads them. For—
I. WITH THOROUGH KNOWLEDGE OF THE GROUND, THEIR COURAGE FAILS THEM NOT. The apostles return by the route and the towns and cities by which they had come. It is wonderful, and indeed it is often of the merciful consideration of Heaven, how brave men may be toward unforeseen dangers and difficulties. How often, however, does courage vanish after a taste of real work and real difficulty! Not so now. The apostles will face again, if necessary, all which they had before encountered.
II. THEIR MINISTRY IS STILL RICH IN FRUITFULNESS. The object of the apostles follows closely in the tracks of the very well-ascertained needs of new converts. They would:
1. Confirm them.
2. Exhort them to steadfastness and endurance "even unto the end."
3. They would tarry to instruct them in aspects among the deepest of the Divine life—that men "must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." There were "musts" in the lilt, the journeys, the sufferings, the death of the great Captain of our salvation himself. And "musts" there must be in the life and work and discipline of his followers.
4. They would also begin to organize Church life in place after place, and "ordain elders" in the new Churches.
5. They show an example of their faith in prayer and fasting and "commending" individuals and Churches to the Lord, of their faith and of their life. All these activities of thought, speech, affection, and deed were tokens and were the trustworthy tokens of men who were still led by the Spirit, and who were still following that lead.
III. THEY BRING THEIR MISSION TO ITS CLOSE, AND THEMSELVES HOME TO THEIR STARTING-POINT, IN SO EXEMPLARY A MANNER.
1. They honor the Church of God's appointment, by calling it together on their return to receive their report. Next to being the servants of Christ, we are the servants of the Church, and ought to hold ourselves so far forth answerable to it.
2. They do not carelessly forget or only slightingly remember how by the prayers and fasting of that very Church, they also, months and years before, had been commended to the grace of God.
3. They give, in some instructive, impressive, and reassuring detail, a rehearsal of
4. There awhile, in the holy fellowship of that Church, they rest from their harder labors. They recruit their souls in the healthy air and the genial comfort of that society, after years of fierce conflict and almost perpetual anxiousness and keen persecution. Happy servants, happy Church, "in the midst of whom God" is present, shedding light, peace, joy, upon all!—B.
HOMILIES BY R. TUCK