Luke the physician wrote while Peter and John, “spoke unto the people” in the temple, “the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them. Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide”, and in chapter four and verse four of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand” where we read:
Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed;
and the number of the men was about five thousand.
The verse begins, “Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed;” Luke began with the words, “howbeit many of them which heard” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover a great number and a numerous amount of the people who gathered to Peter and John in the temple who were endowed with the faculty for hearing, perceived, discerned and understood” “the word believed” which means “the speech, mandate, decree and sayings of Peter and John trusted in, relied upon, clung to and had confidence in what they said”. Luke shared how a great number of people became believers in Jesus because of the “word” presented by Peter and John.
The verse continues, “and the number of the men was about five thousand.” Luke added the words, “and the number of the men” or “and the amount of the people both male and female” “was about five thousand” which means “was around five thousand”. Luke shared how “five thousand” people became believers in Jesus Christ who were gathered to Peter and John at the temple.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn what a powerful impact both the healing of the lame man and the message of Peter and John had upon this crowd of people. The “gospel” of Jesus Christ was going forth, and although Peter and John were imprisoned by the religious leaders for their speaking, “five thousand” people “believed” what they had to say. The church of Jesus was growing, and He was using His disciples to share His “good news”. God desires a personal relationship with every person, and when they believe and trust in His Son Jesus as their “Lord and Savior”, they are forgiven of their sins and promised everlasting life with God. Those who are wise will reread the message of Peter presented to this massive group of people and believe in Jesus in the same manner as these “five thousand” people.
Next time Luke shares what, “came to pass on the morrow”, 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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