Luke the physician wrote how, “Saul was certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came here for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?”, and in chapter nine and verse twenty-two of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews” where we read:
But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus,
proving that this is very Christ.
The verse begins, “But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, ...” Luke began with the words, “but Saul increased the more in strength” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover Saul, whose name means desired and was the Jewish name for Paul, grew stronger, more bold and empowered”, “and confounded the Jews” or “and bewildered or disturbed the minds of the people belonging to the Jewish nation in respect to birth, origin or religion” “which dwelt at Damascus” which means “who lived and made their abode in the city of Damascus whose name means silent is the sackcloth weaver”. Luke shared how “Saul” became “stronger and more bold” as he lived among the people in Damascus, and they were “bewildered” by the change in him.
The verse goes on to say, “... proving that this is very Christ.” Luke continued with the words, “proving that this” which means “putting together, causing to coalesce and uniting that Jesus” “is the very Christ” or “exists as the Messiah and Son of God” “unto the chief priests” which means “to the high and principle priests”. Luke shared how “Saul” grew stronger as he united the people in Damascus to believe that Jesus was the “Christ, Messiah and Son of God”.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Saul's” ministry of the “gospel” continued to be more and more effective as the people in Damascus who were “Jews” were bewildered by the change in him. “Saul's” life and mission was an example of the power of Jesus Christ to change a person's life. “Saul” who previously was against the believers in Jesus, now was a believer in Jesus, and he desired to share not only with the people in Damascus, but also to all the “Jews” and the “high priests” themselves. God loves people, and He desires a personal relationship with everyone through His Son Jesus. Anyone, regardless of their background or opposition to Him, who humbles themselves before Jesus, repents of their sins and asks Him to be the “Lord and Savior” of their lives will be transformed and used in the Kingdom of God as a living example of His grace and love.
Next time Luke shares, “after many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him”, 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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