Read: Acts 14:21-28
They remained no little time with the disciples. (v. 28)
In her poem “Alone,” Maya Angelou uses this haunting refrain: “Alone, all alone / Nobody, but nobody / Can make it out here alone.”
It’s a recurring theme throughout the Bible, and it’s as necessary for believers in Jesus today as it was when every part of the Bible was first written—community. From Genesis to Revelation, one biblical writer after another reminds us that we need each other. That deep and primal need is shown in Acts 14. Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch in Syria. They have just survived an episode of persecution in which Paul was almost killed (vv. 8-20), and we’re told that they responded by “strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith” (v. 22). I wonder if they also received encouragement as they gave it. The word encouraging in the original Greek in this passage is parakaleō. The prefix para is one we use in English and means “to the side.” The root word kaleō is a little less obvious, but it means “to call.” Together, they suggest coming alongside someone to cheer them on.
I’ve met with the same group of dear brothers every week for more than 40 years. Our conviction to do so is the same now as it was with Paul, Barnabas, and the brothers and sisters in Antioch in Syria. If you feel alone in your faith, I encourage you to reach out to another believer and share your pain and the encouragement we find in Christ.
As you pray, ask God to help you find community with other believers.
Dr. Timothy Brown is the Henry Bast Professor of Preaching and President Emeritus at Western Theological Seminary where he served from 1995-2021. Tim continues to actively coach and encourage former students and pastors who seek help in their preaching life and he has become a certified public school substitute teacher so that he can continue investing in the lives of young people. He is married to Nancy and together they have three children and ten grandchildren.
