Luke the beloved physician wrote how, “Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse nineteen of the book of Acts Luke shared, “when he had saluted them, he declared … what things God had worked” where we read:
And when he had saluted them,
he declared particularly what things God had worked among the Gentiles by his ministry.
The verse begins, “And when he had saluted them, ...” Luke began with the words, “and when” which means “and at the time and moment” “he had saluted them” or “Paul greeted, bid welcome, wished well and received joyfully both James and the elders”. Luke shared at the time and moment “Paul” greeted warmly “James” and the “elders” in Jerusalem he proclaimed the following.
The verse goes on to say, “... he declared particularly what things God had worked among the Gentiles by his ministry.” Luke continued with the words, “he declared particularly” which means “Paul uttered and proclaimed each and every one” “what things God had worked” or “of the works, acts and deeds performed and made ready by the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “among the Gentiles” which means “in and with the non-Jewish people who were pagan, heathen and foreign in origin, birth and religion” “by his ministry” or “through and with his, Paul's, service, execution of the orders and office”. Luke shared how “Paul” told “James and the elders” in Jerusalem about God's marvelous works, acts and deeds performed through him in his service to the Lord among the “Gentile non-Jewish” people.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” wanted the leaders in the church in Jerusalem to know what “God” did through his ministry. Let us notice that he gave praise, honor, glory and credit to “God” rather than himself, and anyone who learns to relate to the Heavenly Father through His Son Jesus will direct the “glory” to Him. God created us, loves us and gave His Son Jesus to die for our sins so that we may be forgiven and granted everlasting life with Him. Those who are wise yield themselves to the Heavenly Father God through His Son Jesus Christ and allow Him to do whatever work He desires to do through them. All glory be to Him!
Next time Luke shares, “when they heard it, they glorified the Lord”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or 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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