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. 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. Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, ...”, and in chapter five and verse eighteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how the religious leaders, “laid their hands on the apostles” where we read:
And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
The verse begins, “And laid their hands on the apostles, ...” Luke began with the words, “and laid their hands” which means “and cast their physical hands” “on the apostles” or “upon Jesus' delegates, messengers and sent out ones”. Luke shared how the religious leaders “seized” the “delegates” and “messengers” of Jesus.
The verse continues, “and put them in the common prison.” Luke added the words, “and put them” which means “and set, placed and put forth the apostles of Jesus” “in the common prison” or “within openly public place or hold where prisoners are kept”. Luke shared how the religious leaders took the “apostles” to the openly public “prison”.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the religious leaders not only seized Jesus' apostles, but they also put them in the public “prison” or jail. We shall see what happens to them, but we should remember they were “seized” and put there because of their testimony concerning the “gospel” of Jesus Christ. Jesus told them they would suffer persecution for His name, and now His words were being fulfilled. God loves people, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with them through His Son Jesus. When they submit their lives to Him, He will forgive there sins and grant them everlasting life. However, they will not be exempt from persecution for their believing in Him, and when opposition comes, let all who trust in Him know they are in good company with Jesus' “apostles” who were imprisoned for sharing His truth.
Next time Luke shares how, “the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors”, 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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