Acts 14:21-22  “When they had preached the gospel to that city (Derbe) and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”

Paul and Barnabas and the team continued to Derbe and then after a season of very fruitful ministry, they returned to Lystra and then to Iconium and then to Antioch.  

These are the same three cities that stoned and persecuted them. The same three cities that they had fled from. They went back to each of them on purpose, to strengthen and to encourage the brothers.  

This was the pattern of the Apostle Paul. 

Colossians 2:6-7  “Therefore, just as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

The persecution was real and would continue so these new believers needed to be:

– rooted in Christ

– built up in Christ

– established in Christ