Luke the physician wrote about the disciples, “when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What does this mean? Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine”, and in chapter two and verse fourteen of the book of Acts Luke wrote how, “Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice” where we read:
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, You men of Judaea, and all you that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
The verse begins, “But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, ...” Luke began with the words, “But Peter” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover Peter whose name means a little rock or stone and was one of Jesus' disciples”, “standing up with the eleven” or “being erected, fixed and established with the other eleven disciples”, “lifted up his voice” which means “raised a sound or tone of uttered words or articulated”, “and said unto them” or “and uttered, declared and proclaimed to the multitude who gathered outside the house with the upper room” the following words. Luke shared how “Peter” stood up with the other eleven disciples and proclaimed the following words to the multitude.
The verse continues, “... You men of Judaea, and all you that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:” Luke added the words, “you men of Judaea” or “you people both male and female who belong to the Jewish nation by birth, origin or religion”, “and all you that dwell at Jerusalem” which means “and each, every, the whole and everyone of you, Jewish people, who live, abide and inhabit the city of Jerusalem which means set you double peace”, “be this known unto you” or “let what Peter is going to declare be understood, perceived and discerned to you, crowd of people”, “and hearken to my words” which means “and receive, listen to and take in my, Peter's, speech and discourse”. Luke shared how “Peter” charged “all” the Jewish people as well as those who live in “Judaea” to be carefully attentive to his “speech”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn after some time of the multitude reacting to the manifestation of God's Spirit being poured out, “Peter” stood up with the other eleven disciples and began to speak to the crowd. He addressed them not only from their origin, but also in their heritage. “Peter” was to give the first message of the gospel after Jesus' death, and we shall learn what he says in our next few verses. God's desire is to share His “gospel” to everyone, and when they “hearken” unto Him, they will receive forgiveness of sins and granted everlasting life with God. Those who are wise will yield themselves to Jesus and “hear” His message of “good news”.
Next time Luke shares how Peter says, “these are not drunken, as you suppose”, 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