Luke the beloved physician wrote how Paul began to give defense for himself before a hostile Jewish crowd in Hebrew by saying, “I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as you all are this day”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse four of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul said, “I persecuted this way unto the death”, where we read:
And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
The verse begins, “And I persecuted this way unto the death, ...” Luke began with the words, “and I persecuted this way” which means “and I, Paul, put to flight, drove away, harassed and troubled the journey, travel and course of conduct pertaining to Jesus” “unto the death” or “till the separation of the soul and body by which the life on earth is ended”. Luke shared how “Paul” “harassed and troubled” the people unto their “death” who followed Jesus Christ.
The verse continues, “... binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.” Luke added the words, “binding and delivering” which means “enchaining, tying, seizing and giving over into the power” “into prisons” or “into the guard, watch and place where captives are kept” “both men and women” which means “human being which included both male and females”. Luke shared how “Paul” spoke of his adverse actions against anyone who believed in Jesus as he “arrested” men and women and put them into places where “captives are kept”.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we see how “Paul” was identifying with people in the Jewish crowd who were making accusations against him. He basically told them that he believed as they did to the extent of imprisoning people for their faith and trust in Jesus. God knows many people are following a path that they believe is correct and right, and yet, they are opposed to Jesus who alone is able to “save” them from their sins and grant them everlasting life. Those who carefully examine this testimony of “Paul” will find that he had all the elements, to a zealous decree, of his “religion”, but he did not have a personal relationship with God. God loves everyone, and the reason He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of the world is so every person would have an opportunity to receive Him as their “Savior and Lord”. Let all who read these words learn “Jesus' way” and surrender themselves to Him.
Next time Luke shares how Paul says, “the high priest does bear me witness”, 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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