Luke the beloved physician shared how, “Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus. And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God”, and in chapter fifteen and verse forty-one of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul and Silas, “went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches” where we read:
And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
The verse begins, “And he went through Syria and Cilicia, ...” Luke began with the word, “and he went through Syria” which means “and Paul traveled and journeyed through Syria whose name means exalted and was a region of Asia bounded on the north by Taurus and Amanus ranges, on the east by the Euphrates and Arabia, on the south by Palestine, and the west by Phoenicia and the Mediterranean” “and Cilicia” whose name means “the land of Celix” and was “a maritime province in the southeast of Asia Minor, boarding on Pamphylia in the west, Lycaonia and Cappadocia in the north and Syria in the east. Its capital, Tarsus, was the birth place of Paul”. Luke shared how “Paul” with “Silas” traveled through the regions of “Syria and Cilicia” after leaving Antioch of Syria.
The verse continues, “... confirming the churches.” Luke added the words, “confirming” or “establishing, strengthening and rendering more firm” “the churches” which means “the assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting” in “Syria and Cilicia”. Luke shared how “Paul and Silas” “established and strengthened” the assembly of Christians in “Syria and Cilicia”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn where “Paul and Silas” traveled on their missionary journey. They traveled to the churches located in the regions of “Syria and Cilicia”. When they arrived, they established and strengthened the believers in Jesus who assembled there. God loves people, and His desire is to save them from the penalty of sin which is death through a personal relationship with His Son Jesus. When they submit to Him, they will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and become a part of His church. Then they are “strengthened” in their walk with Him through the teaching and preaching of His word, prayer and the fellowship of other believers. Let all who read these words surrender themselves to Jesus and become a part of the family of God and assembly of believers who have given their lives to Him.
Next time we begin a new chapter and see Luke share how Paul came, “to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus”, 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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