During that same time King Herod {\cf2\super [233]} began to persecute {\cf2\super [234]} some of the people that belonged to the church (group of believers).
Paul and Barnabas chose elders {\cf2\super [292]} for each church (group of believers). They fasted {\cf2\super [293]} and prayed for these elders. These elders were men who had trusted the Lord \{Jesus\}. So Paul and Barnabas put them in the Lord’s care.
Paul and Barnabas were against this teaching. They argued with these men about it. So the group decided to send Paul, Barnabas, and some other men to Jerusalem. These men were going there to talk more about this with the apostles {\cf2\super [297]} and elders. {\cf2\super [298]}
Paul, Barnabas, and the others arrived in Jerusalem. The apostles, {\cf2\super [299]} the elders, {\cf2\super [300]} and the whole group of believers welcomed them. Paul, Barnabas, and the others told about all the things that God had done with them.
Then Paul and the men with him traveled through other cities. {\cf2\super [328]} They gave the believers the rules and decisions from the apostles {\cf2\super [329]} and elders {\cf2\super [330]} in Jerusalem. They told the believers to obey these rules.
One of the believers was named Joseph. The apostles {\cf2\super [82]} called him Barnabas. (This name means “A person that helps others.”) He was a Levite {\cf2\super [83]} born in Cyprus.
Remember to use the gift that you have. That gift was given to you through a prophecy {\cf2\super [19]} when the group of elders {\cf2\super [20]} put their hands on {\cf2\super [21]} you.
The elders {\cf2\super [27]} who lead the church in a good way should receive double honor. This is especially true for those elders who do the work of counseling and teaching.
Don’t listen to a person who accuses an elder. {\cf2\super [31]} You should listen to that person only if there are two or three other people who can say what the elder did wrong.
I left you in Crete so that you could finish doing the things that still needed to be done. And I also left you there so that you could choose men to be elders {\cf2\super [3]} in every town.
Are you sick? You should call the church’s elders. {\cf2\super [29]} The elders should rub oil on you {\cf2\super [30]} in the name of the Lord and pray for you.
Now I have something to say to the elders {\cf2\super [30]} in your group. I am also an elder. I myself have seen Christ’s sufferings. And I will share in the glory that will be shown to us. I beg you to