Luke the physician wrote how Peter speaking to the multitude gathered outside the upper room, “with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation”, and in chapter two and verse forty-one of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “they that gladly received his word were baptized” where we read:
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized:
and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
The verse begins, “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized:” Luke began with the words, “then they that gladly received his word” which means “at that time they, which means people in the multitude who with pleasure and joy welcomed, accepted, approved of and took in fully his, Peter's, vocal tones and speech” “were baptized” or “were immersed, submerged and overwhelmed with water”. Luke shared how the people in the multitude who “joyfully accepted” Peter's “speech” were immersed with water or “baptized”.
The verse continues, “and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” Luke added the words, “and the same day” or “and that selfsame day” “there were added unto them” which means “there joined, gathered and increased to the people in the upper room” “about three thousand souls” or “around three thousand people with their seats of feelings, desires, affections and aversions”. Luke shared how that “day” “three thousand” people from the multitude “joined” the people in the upper room as believers .
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the people from the multitude responded to Peter's words. Three thousand of them “joyfully accepted” what Peter told them about Jesus, and they were “baptized” in Jesus' name. What a joyous day this must have been for the disciples of Jesus and the others who were gathered in the upper room. Jesus' church was birthed, and now “souls” were being added in great number. God's desire is that everyone receives His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”, and when they yield to Him, they will be forgiven of their sins and be granted everlasting life with God. Those who examine this event should “joyfully receive” what Peter said, be baptized in Jesus' name to enjoy everlasting life with God throughout all eternity.
Next time Luke shares how the people in the multitude, “continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine”, 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".
No comments:
Post a Comment