Luke the physician wrote how “they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spoke unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch”, and in chapter eleven and verse twenty-three of the book of Acts Luke shared when Barnabas, “had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all” where we read:
Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all,
that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
The verse begins, “Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, ...” Luke began with the words, “who, when he came” which means “at the time and moment that Barnabas arose and entered Antioch”, “and had seen the grace of God” or “and observed, beheld and noticed the good will, loving kindness and favor belonging to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”, “was glad” which means “rejoiced exceedingly”, “and exhorted them all” or “and summoned, addressed, entreated and spoke to each, every, the whole and everyone of the new believers in Jesus”. Luke shared how “Barnabas” arrived in “Antioch” and observed for himself how the “Grecian people” there had received the “gospel” of Jesus Christ. He “rejoice exceedingly” began to speak to and entreat the new believers.
The verse continues, “... that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.” Luke added the words, “that with purpose of heart” which means “that with an exposed and intentional soul and mind” “they would cleave unto” or “the new believers in Antioch would remain, continue, tarry and stay with” “the Lord” which means “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 “Barnabas” exhorted the new believers in “Antioch” to “remain and continue” with the Lord Jesus.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Barnabas” discovered how “God's grace” was poured out upon the “Grecian people” in “Antioch”, and he was “exceedingly happy” to see it. He began to encourage and teach the new believers to “continue” in their relationship with Jesus. God wants people not only to receive His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”, but also to “remain” in a relationship with Him. Anyone who surrenders their life to Him will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life, and this is to continue forever and ever.
Next time Luke shares how Barnabas, “was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith”, 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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