Definition: 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.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Acts 14:23. It’s a really important part of how Jesus established his early ministry! Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it says that after praying and fasting for a group of people to teach and serve, they trusted God and gave them to Him. Let's unpack it further: “And when they had ordained them elders in every church…” – This means Jesus started appointing leaders – elders – to each local church. Think of them as the shepherds and teachers of the community. “…and had prayed with fasting…” - They were praying, and they were doing it before they made a decision about who to send out. Fasting is a special prayer time where people are focused on God and willing to give up something for Him. "...they commended them to the Lord…” – This is the key part! They weren’t just letting these leaders go off on their own; they commended them, meaning they trusted them completely to God's plan. It was a deliberate act of faith and hope. What does it mean in practical terms? It shows that Jesus recognized the importance of having strong, capable leaders within his church. He wasn’t just trusting them to do things; he was trusting them to believe . It signifies that God is working through these leaders and that they are guided by His will. In short, it's a powerful statement about faith, trust, and the importance of relying on God's plan. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you some context for this passage?