The physician Luke wrote how the apostles were put in prison for teaching and preaching, and after an angel freed them, they were teaching and preaching again when the high priest confronted them and asked, “Did not we straightly command you that you should not teach in this name?” He told them they had “filled all Jerusalem” with their “doctrine”, and after “Peter and the other apostles” told them, “we ought to obey God rather than men”, the religious leaders were “cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them”. It was at that time, “a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space. And said unto them, … Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought. But if it be of God, you cannot overthrow it; lest haply you be found even to fight against God. And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name”, and in chapter five and verse forty-two of the book of Acts Luke shared how the apostles, “ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ” where we read:
And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
The verse begins, “And daily in the temple, and in every house, ...” Luke began with the words, “and daily in the temple” which means “and every day within the sacred place for worship located in Jerusalem”, “and in every house” or “and within each, the whole, all and everyone of the dwelling places, habitations and places of residence” the apostles did the following. Luke shared how the “apostles” of Jesus continued every day within the “sacred worship place and homes” to perform the following act.
The verse continues, “... they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” Luke added the words, “they ceased not to teach” which means “the apostles did not stop, quit or leave instruction, giving didactic doctrine or holding discourse” “and preach” or “and announcing, bringing and proclaiming the good and glad tidings of God's kindness and Messianic blessings concerning” “Jesus Christ” which means “Jesus whose name means Jehovah is Salvation and is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate who is the anointed One and Messiah”. Luke shared how “the apostles” did not stop “delivering didactic doctrine” or “evangelizing” in the name of Jesus Christ who is the Messiah.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the “apostles” continued “teaching and preaching” in Jesus Christ's name every day both in the “temple in Jerusalem” in the “homes” of people. Although they were “commanded” not to speak in Jesus' name, the “apostles” did so anyway. God loves this kind of commitment to Him and His word, and even if there is a price to pay for yielding one's life to Jesus, He will be with those who believe in Him regardless of what or whom they encounter. Let all who carefully examine these words realize Jesus is the “Savior and Lord” of the world, and those who are wise surrender to Him and proclaim His “name” wherever they may be.
Next time we begin a new chapter and see Luke share how, “there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration”, 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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