The beloved physician Luke shared when Paul, Barnabas and their companions came to Jerusalem, “a certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed” were “saying” about the Gentile believers “That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, you know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knows the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us. And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt you God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they”, and in chapter fifteen and verse twelve of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul” where we read:
Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul,
declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
The verse begins, “Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, ...” Luke began with the words, “then all the multitude kept silence” which means “at that time each, every, the whole and everyone in the crowd or large gathering of Jewish believers held their peace and were quiet” “and gave audience” or “and attended to, were endowed with the faculty of hearing, perceiving and listening” “to Barnabas” whose name means “son of rest and was the surname of Joses or Joseph, a Levite, a native of Cyprus who was a distinguished Christian teacher and companion and colleague of Paul” “and Paul” or “and Paul whose name means small or little”. Luke shared how each and every one of the Jewish believers who were assembled were quiet and began listening to “Barnabas and Paul”.
The verse goes on to say, “... declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.” Luke continued with the words, “declaring what miracles” or “uttering, declaring and saying how many supernatural signs, portents and unusual occurrences” “and wonders” which means “and omens or supernatural tokens” “God had wrought” or “God the Heavenly Father worked, prepared and performed” “among the Gentiles by them” which means “in the midst of the non-Jewish, heathen and pagan people who were foreigners and of the same nature and genus”. Luke shared how “Barnabas and Paul” began to share with the Jewish people who assembled about the many supernatural signs and works God did in the midst of the “Gentiles”.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we see how “Barnabas and Paul” were allowed to share with the Jewish believers who were gathered concerning the “miracles” and “supernatural signs” God did in the midst of the “Gentiles”. God revealed Himself to the “Gentiles” in a “supernatural” way, and because He did, the “Gentiles” became believers in Jesus as their “Savior and Lord”. No doubt these “miracle” stories affected this crowd of Jewish believers, and we shall see how they respond in our next few verses, but for now let us understand, God desires to have a personal relationship with every person who believes and trusts in His Son Jesus. Regardless of whether they are “Jews” or “Gentiles”, all are invited to be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life in Heaven with Him. Those who are wise will understand this is the “miracle working power” of God Almighty, and those who yield to Jesus participate in the greatest “miracle” of all, the salvation of their souls for all eternity.
Next time Luke shares how, “James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me” 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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