The physician Luke wrote, after the death of Ananias and Sapphira for tempting the Spirit of the Lord, “great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. And of the rest did no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison”, and in chapter five and verse nineteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors” where we read:
But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
The verse begins, “But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, ...” Luke began with the words, “but the angel of the Lord” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the messenger or envoy belonging to the One to whom a person or thing belongs about which he has power of deciding; master, and the title given to God the Messiah” “by night” or “at the time when work ceases and when the weary and also the drunken give themselves up to slumber” “opened the prison doors” which means “opened up the vestibule, entry way or passage to the guard, sentinel and openly public place where prisoners are kept”. Luke shared how a “spiritual messenger” from God came to the “prison” and “opened” the doorway.
The verse goes on to say, “... and brought them forth, and said, ...” Luke continued with the words, “and brought them forth” which means “and lead and carried the apostles forward”, “and said” or “and uttered, declare and proclaimed” the words in our next verse. Luke shared how the “spiritual messenger” from God carried the “apostles” who were imprisoned to the outside of the prison walls and spoke to them.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the apostles were released by this “angel” or “spiritual messenger” from God. Though the “high priest” and the other religious leaders thought they had “captured” the “apostles, God set them free. God is All Powerful, and no one is able to be held captive beyond His strength. When He desired for His “apostles” to be set free, they were. God desires to have a loving personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and when they yield their lives to Him as their “Lord and Savior”, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. Those who are wise will perceive the ability of God to set people free, and surrender themselves to Him.
Next time Luke shares how the angel told the apostles, “Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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