How does teaching and preaching strengthen the church according to Acts 15:35? The Text at a Glance “ But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, along with many others, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord.” (Acts 15:35) What Teaching and Preaching Looked Like in Antioch • Paul and Barnabas stayed—ministry was not a one-off event but an ongoing presence. • “Many others” joined them, showing a team effort rather than solo ministry. • Two complementary activities: – Teaching (didaskō): systematic instruction, grounding believers in doctrine. – Preaching (euangelizō): proclaiming the gospel publicly, calling hearers to faith. • The content was “the word of the Lord,” not opinion or trends. Ways This Ministry Strengthened the Church • Rooted believers in truth – Acts 2:42 “they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching.” – Ephesians 4:14-15 guards against being “tossed by the waves and carried about by every wind of teaching.” • Fed faith and produced maturity – Romans 10:17 “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” – Hebrews 5:12-14 strong doctrine moves believers from milk to solid food. • Equipped for service – Ephesians 4:11-12 teachers “equip the saints for the work of ministry.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Scripture “thoroughly equips” for every good work. • Unified the body – Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… teaching and admonishing one another.” – Acts 15 itself shows doctrinal clarity resolving conflict; teaching preserved unity. • Fueled mission outward – Acts 18:11 Paul “stayed a year and a half, teaching the word of God.” Growth inside led to outreach. – 2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word… in season and out of season.” Practical Takeaways for Today • Stay committed—long-term, consistent teaching builds deep disciples. • Keep content Scripture-saturated; God’s word carries intrinsic power (Hebrews 4:12). • Balance instruction and proclamation—classroom and pulpit, dialogue and declaration. • Cultivate a team of teachers; shared voices broaden reach and guard against imbalance (2 Timothy 2:2). • Expect strength, unity, and mission expansion when the local church prioritizes teaching and preaching the word of the Lord. |
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