Ac 14:21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, 22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. 24 And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: 26 And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. 27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. 28 And there they abode long time with the disciples.
This is very interesting because we see a pattern of responsibility and accountability. Unlike many ministries today, who have broken off from organized churches, the early church represented order and structure. There were no renegade and rebellious spirits running free and causing confusion and discord and disrespect to leadership. As we see here, that first of all, Paul and Barnabas had been sent out by the church. Through the leading of the holy ghost, they had been selected to go out and preach the gospel and establish churches. The apostles layed hands on and prayed for them and sent them out.
Now we see Paul and Barnabas, after going out and establishing churches, returning to check on the churches. We see them laying hands on and ordaining elders to oversee the churches. In other words, we see responsibility and accountability established.
