Many Tribulations

Today’s reading: Acts 14:8-28

“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. And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” - Acts‬ ‭14:22-23‬ ‭ESV‬‬

First of all, this is the first place Luke uses the first person ”we” in Acts. He enters his book with a declaration that much suffering will play a role in the life of every follower of Jesus. This wasn't something happening just to someone else. He was involved as well.

The following quote hammers this idea home:

It is almost taken for granted throughout the New Testament that tribulation is the normal lot of Christians in this age: it is those who suffer for and with Christ now who will share his glory. “No cross, no crown.” - F.F. Bruce

We also see in these verses that trials require strong leadership (elders) in the church, reminding us what is true.