The beloved physician Luke shared how Paul, Barnabas, Silas and Judas, “delivered the epistle” to the church in Antioch of Syria “which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles. Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still”, and in chapter fifteen and verse thirty-five of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “Paul and Barnabas continued in Antioch” where we read:
Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch,
teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
The verse begins, “Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, ...” Luke began with the words, “Paul also” which means “Paul, whose name means small or little, even so and indeed” “and Barnabas” or “and Barnabas whose name means son of rest and the surname of Joses or Joseph, a Levite, a native of Cyprus and was a distinguished Christian teacher and companion and colleague of Paul” “continued in Antioch” which means “remained, tarried and abided in Antioch whose name means driven against and was the Capital of Syria, situated on the river Orontes, founded by Seleucus Nicanor in 300 B.C. and named in honor of his father, Antiochus”. Luke shared how “Paul and Barnabas” remained in “Antioch of Syria” for a while longer.
The verse continues, “... teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.” Luke added the word, “teaching” or “holding discourses, imparting instruction and instilling doctrine” “and preaching the word” which means “and heralding, announcing and proclaiming glad and joyful tidings” “of the Lord” or “belonging to 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”, “with many others also” which means “alongside a great and abundant number of other teachers and preachers even so and indeed”. Luke shared how “Paul, Barnabas and other teachers and preachers” taught the Gentile believers in Antioch and proclaimed the “gospel” while they were there.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn what “Paul, Barnabas and other teachers and preachers” did while they remained in “Antioch of Syria”. Rather than being idle, they engaged in “teaching and preaching” God's “word”. God desires to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and when they yield to Him, they will be forgiven of their sins and inherit everlasting life. Afterward they are to “learn” the word of God through “teaching” and proclaim the “gospel” message through “preaching”. Those who “teach and preach” God's word align with His idea for people to “know” Him, and when they “know” Him, they will grow in their love and trust of Him in their lives. Those who are wise surrender to Jesus and begin a life long journey of knowing Him and His Son Jesus. (See John 17:3)
Next time Luke shares how “Paul said to Barnabas, let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached”, 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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