Luke the physician wrote how Peter, “with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles, and all that believed were together, and had all things common, and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need, and they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart”, and in chapter two and verse forty-seven of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” where we read:
Praising God, and having favor with all the people.
And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
The verse begins, “Praising God, and having favor with all the people.” Luke began with the words, “praising God” which means “extolling, singing and honoring the Godhead and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”, “and having favor” or “and holding, owning and possessing grace, good will and loving kindness” “with all the people” which means “among each, every, the whole and everyone of the male and female believers in Jesus”. Luke shared how the believers in the early church would “sing and extol God Almighty” as well as enjoy “grace, good will and loving kindness” with everyone.
The verse continues, “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Luke added the words, “and the Lord” or “and the One to whom a person or thing belongs about which he has power of deciding; master, and the title given to God the Messiah” “added to the church daily” which means “joined and gathered together the assembly of believers in Jesus throughout every day” “such as should be saved” or “people who were rescued, preserved, made well and whole from danger and destruction”. Luke shared how the “Lord God” joined and gathered people into the church who were rescued and preserved from eternal “destruction and danger” pending in their lives without a relationship with Jesus.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “the Lord” was the agent of “adding” to His “church”. God cares deeply for people, and He sent His Son Jesus to die for the sins of everyone. When they yield their lives to Jesus, He will “preserve and protect” them from “eternal damnation” that shall come upon everyone who refuses to receive Him as their “Savior and Lord”. In other words, without a relationship with Jesus a person remains in their sinful state which separates them from God. Unless that sin is removed, they are on their own and their sins will keep them from being with God for all eternity. Let everyone reading these words humble themselves, repent before God, ask Him to forgive their sins and profess their belief in His Son Jesus, and He will “add” them to His “church” and they shall be forever “saved”.
Next time we begin a new chapter and see Luke share how, “Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer”, 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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