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 in chapter five and verse fourteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “believers were the more added to the Lord” where we read:
And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
The verse begins, “And believers were the more added to the Lord, ...” Luke began with the parenthetical words, “and believers” which means “and people who thought to be true, were persuaded and placed confidence” “were the more added” or “were in a greater number and abundantly gathered as a company, followers and companions” “to the Lord” which means “toward 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”. Luke shared how a greater number of people who “trusted in, relied upon and clung to Jesus as their Lord” were gathered together.
The verse continues, “... multitudes both of men and women.)” Luke added the word, “multitudes” which means “a great number, assemblage, throng and populace” “both of men and women” or “not only of male human beings but also female human beings”). Luke shared how a great number of people who were male and female were gathered to the “believers” in the Lord Jesus.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we see how the “church” of Jesus was growing. People were becoming “believers” in Jesus, and they began to gather together. God's intention to share salvation through His Son Jesus was spreading, and people were responding. His desire is to have a personal relationship with every person, and when they yield to Jesus, He will forgive them of their sins, grant them everlasting life and unify them as one. Those who understand these things will submit themselves to Jesus and become a part of His family known as the “church”.
Next time Luke shares how, “they brought forth the sick into the streets … that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them”, 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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