Elders appointed in local churches
Acts reports Paul and Barnabas appointing elders in churches, with prayer and fasting. The text establishes ordered local ministry without naming a one-bishop-per-city system at this point.
Scripture
- Acts 14:21-23 — Paul and Barnabas appoint elders in each church.
- Acts 15:1-29 — Apostles and elders deliberate together in Jerusalem.
Primary sources
Luke narrates:
Acts depicts Paul and Barnabas appointing elders in each local assembly with prayer and fasting.
When they had appointed elders for them in every assembly, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord
Passage context and translation
Paul and Barnabas revisit the communities in Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening disciples before appointing elders in each assembly.
Before the excerpt
strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith
After the excerpt
on whom they had believed