Mark Tabata’s Weekday Devotionals
Thursday July 23 2026
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Acts 18:27-28-And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; 28 for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.
One of the things which surprised me when I moved to Kentucky was the lack of letters of commendation between churches.
Someone says, “Mark, what are you talking about?”
Let’s study.
In the New Testament, we see a common practice of letters of recommendation between churches whenever a minister located to another area. We see this wth Apollos (referenced above). Notice that the brethren wrote to other Christians, encouraging them to receive him. This same principe is attested to throughout the New Testament. Here are a few examples:
Romans 16:1-2- commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, 2 that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.
2 Corinthians 3:1-Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you?
These passages (and others) show clearly that sending letters of recommendation between churches with disciples was a common and approved apostolic pattern. The purpose of such letters is to let the brethren know in a local congregation that the ones who have relocated are faithful members of the church, and were not false teachers or rabble raisers. Being raised in West Virginia, this was a common practice among churches of Christ I was familiar with.
Sadly, Ive not seen this practiced very often in churches of Christ in Kentucky.
How could a practice like this be beneficial?
Let me give you an example.
Years ago, I knew of a man who wreaked havoc on a congregation of believers by trying to force some eccentric and unorthodox beliefs and practices on the brethren. When the newly hired minister tried to discover where the man had been before temporarily residing to that area, he learned that the church had never requested a letter of recommendation of him. Sadly, they were not even aware of this practice. Upon further investigation, the minister learned that the gentleman had been involved in a dangerous cult in another state! This man had tried very hard to force those same practices on the brethren in that area. As it was, several members left the church over the incident.
If the brethren had requested a letter of recommendation from him, then perhaps a lot of heartache could have been avoided.
Perhaps this is something worth considering more carefully.
What are some benefits of such letters of recommendation?
What are some drawbacks to such?
As we work towards restoring New Testament Christianity, let us consider these things carefully and prayerfully.
Bless us, Lord, with Your wisdom in all things. Amen.