Luke the physician wrote how Peter told Cornelius and the people in his home, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree. Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly. Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believes in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days”, and in chapter eleven and verse one of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God” where we read:
And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea
heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
The verse begins, “And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea ...” Luke began with the words, “and the apostles” which means “and the delegates, messengers and sent forth ones” “and brethren” or “and fellow believers in Jesus” “that were in Judaea” which means “who were located in Judaea which means he shall be praised and was the southern portion of Palestine lying on this side of the Jordan and the Dead Sea, to distinguish it from Samaria, Galilee, Peraea, and Idumaea” did the following. Luke shared how the “apostles” or “disciples” and fellow believers of Jesus who were located in “Judaea” did according to the next part of this verse.
The verse continues, “... heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.” Luke added the words, “heard that the Gentiles” which means “were endowed with the faculty of hearing, perceiving and understanding that the pagans or multitude of individuals of the same nature or genus” “had also received” or “had even so and indeed embraced, approved and accepted” “the word of God” which means “the utterance, decree, mandate and speech belonging to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Luke shared how the “apostles” and “believers” located in “Judaea” “heard” that “Gentiles” or “pagans” had accepted God's “word” or the “gospel”.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the “apostles” and “believers” in “Judaea” “heard” the report of “Gentiles” embracing the “gospel” of Jesus Christ. Let us remember that these “believers” in Jesus had not been given the “vision” that Peter received, and they were still under the idea that Jews did not associate with “Gentiles”. We shall see how they respond to “Peter” in our next few verses, but for now let us understand that God was “stretching” the minds of the “believers” in Him and His Son Jesus. “God so loved the world”, and though people have ideas that certain people are “exempt” from the “gospel” of Jesus Christ, everyone may receive Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”. Let all who study this story of the “apostles, believers and Peter” realize, God wants to “save” everybody, and anyone who yields themselves to Him will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life.
Next time Luke shares, “when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him”, 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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