Acts 14:21-23

Then they went back to Lystra. The Jewish leaders may have been "chasing after" Paul in other cities, so while they were away, he can return to strengthen the believers. We would expect him to "organize" the groups of believers by appointing church-leaders [elders] and church-helpers [deacons]. Compare Titus 1:5. One of the believers was Timothy (Acts 16:1). Through many troubles. God has set this world up as an "obstacle-course," where we must pass through the "mud and barbed-wire" to "sort ourselves out" and grow spiritually! Compare 1 Thessalonians 3:3; Romans 5:3-4; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Hebrews 12:5-11; James 1:2-4. In each church. (1) Elders were appointed within a few years of the church being planted in an area. (2) Each church [group of believers] had their own elders. (3) There were always more than one in each church. (4) They were identified by a simple ceremony of prayer and fasting (see note on Acts 13:3). (5) We infer from Acts 6:3-6 that each group chose their own church-leaders. See note on Titus 1:5.