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 of the rest did no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them”, and in chapter five and verse sixteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “there came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits” where we read:
There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem,
bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
The verse begins, “There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, ...” Luke began with the words, “there came also a multitude” which means “there arose and appeared even so and indeed an abundant crowd of people” “out of the cities” or “from the villages and towns” “round about unto Jerusalem” which means “circumjacent, near and all around Jerusalem which means set you double peace and is the capital of Palestine”. Luke shared how a great number of people arose and appeared who were from “villages and towns” that were around “Jerusalem”.
The verse continues, “... bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.” Luke added the words, “bringing sick folks” which means “carrying and bearing forth ill, infirm and feeble people”, “and them which were vexed” or “and the people who were troubled, disturbed and molested” “with unclean spirits” which means “by impure, morally lewd, foul and demonic spiritual beings”: “and they were healed every one” or “and the sick people who were brought from towns and villages were all cured, made well and whole”. Luke shared how the people from the towns and villages surrounding Jerusalem carried “people who were sick and vexed with demons” to Jerusalem, and all those people were “cured” and delivered from their sicknesses and evil spirits.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the power to deliver and cure people was becoming so well known that people from areas surrounding “Jerusalem” began to bring those who were “sick and vexed with spirits” to be cured. Those who were brought were made whole by the power within the “apostles” of Jesus. God was pouring out His blessings upon people through His “delegates”, and He wanted everyone to know His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”. The church was expanding, and people from surrounding areas to Jerusalem were hearing about His “salvation”. Jesus promised His disciples, “you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (See Acts 1:8), and now the word was traveling from Jerusalem to the outskirts surrounding them. Today the “gospel” or “good news” of God's salvation through His Son Jesus is spread throughout the world, and the invitation is to believe and trust in Jesus to be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. Those who are wise examine the expansion of Jesus' church through the book of Acts should surrender their lives and become a part of His family of believers.
Next time Luke shares how the religious leaders, “were filled with indignation”, 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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