The physician Luke wrote how the apostles were put in prison for teaching and preaching, and after an angel freed them, they were teaching and preaching again when the high priest confronted them and asked, “Did not we straightly command you that you should not teach in this name? and, behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you slew and hanged on a tree. Him has God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins”, and in chapter five and verse thirty-two of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter and the other apostles said they were, “witnesses of these things” where we read:
And we are his witnesses of these things;
and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God has given to them that obey him.
The verse begins, “And we are his witnesses of these things;” Luke began with the words, “and we are his witnesses” which means “and we apostles exist as Jesus' recorders, testifiers and martyrs” “of these things” or “pertaining to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus”. Luke shared how “Peter and the apostles” told the “high priest” and the other religious leaders they were the ones who “testify” of the validity of Jesus' death, burial, resurrection, exaltation and provision for “salvation” from sins.
The verse continues, “and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God has given to them that obey him.” Luke added words, “and so is also” which means “and indeed exists even so” “the Holy Ghost” or “the sacred, pure, morally blameless and religiously and ceremonially consecrated third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit who is coequal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son”, “whom God has given to them” which means “who the Heavenly Father God has bestowed, granted, furnished and supplied to the people” “that obey him” or “who hearken and conform to Jesus”. Luke shared how “Peter and the other apostles” told the “high priest” and the other religious leaders that the “Holy Spirit” was also “furnished and supplied” to anyone who “complies with, listens to and obeys” Jesus.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we see how “Peter and the other apostles” stood firm in their “witness” of Jesus' death on the cross, resurrection from the dead, exaltation to the right hand of God and His provision of “salvation” from sins to all who believe and trust in Him. They added that the “Holy Spirit” of God is also “given” to every person who “obeys” Jesus by submitting themselves to Him. God loves people, and His blessings of forgiveness, eternal life and His Holy Spirit await all who will surrender to His Son Jesus. Let everyone reading these words carefully examine “Peter and the other apostles'” testimony, and yield their life to Jesus who alone has the provision and power to forgive sins and grant everlasting life.
Next time Luke shares how the religious leaders, “were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay 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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