The physician Luke wrote, after the death of Ananias and Sapphira for tempting the Spirit of the Lord, “great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch”, and in chapter five and verse thirteen of the book of Acts Luke wrote, “of the rest did no man join himself to them” where we read:
And of the rest did no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
The verse begins, “And of the rest did no man join himself to them:” Luke began with the words, “and of the rest” which means “and pertaining to the remainder of others” “did no man join himself to them” or “no person whether male or female become fastened to, cleaved or kept company with the apostles”. Luke shared how there was such a holy fear, reverence and awe of Jesus' “apostles” that no one else dared to keep company with them.
The verse goes on to say, “but the people magnified them.” Luke continued with the words, “but the people” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the people both male and female” “magnified them” or “ highly extolled, esteemed, lauded and celebrated the apostles of Jesus”. Luke shared how even though the people did not “join” themselves to the “apostles” of Jesus, they highly reverenced them.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the apostles of Jesus conducted themselves in such a manner that people not only reverenced them, but they would not keep company with them. We can imagine how this arose because of what happened with Ananias and Sapphira. God desires to have “holy” people in His employ, and the only way they truly manifest that trait is to have a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus. When a person surrenders their life to Jesus, He will forgive their sins, grant them everlasting life and cleanse them from all unrighteousness. Only God is truly “Holy”, but those who know Him personally like these “apostles” should live in a way that gains reverence and honor from others who know them.
Next time Luke shares how, “believers were the more added to the Lord”, 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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