Luke the physician wrote, “when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem”, and in chapter nine and verse twenty-nine of the book of Acts Luke shared how Saul, “spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus” where we read:
And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians:
but they went about to slay him.
The verse begins, “And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians:” Luke began with the words, “and he spoke boldly” which means “and Saul uttered, declared and proclaimed in a bold and courageous manner” “in the name of the Lord Jesus” or “in the name and everything which the name covers including the thoughts or feelings which are aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing and remembering”, “and disputed against the Grecians” which means “discussed, controverted, questioned and reasoned toward and in regards to the Hellenist or ones who imitate the manners, customs and worship of the Greeks”. Luke shared how “Saul” continued to “boldly” share the gospel in “Jesus' name” and he “discussed and reasoned” with the “Hellenist Greeks” who were among them.
The verse goes on to say, “but they went about to slay him.” Luke continued with the words, “but they went about” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the Grecians undertook and took in hand” “to slay him” or “to destroy, abolished and rid themselves of Saul”. Luke shared how the people to whom “Saul” shared the gospel of Jesus wanted to “kill” him.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Saul” continued to boldly preach to the “Jews and Gentiles”, however, they did not believe him and wanted him to die. This may seem extreme upon first impression, but this happened to Jesus and He said those who follow Him would experience the same. God loves people, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with everyone through His Son Jesus. When they submit themselves to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. Though “persecution” may occur, those who share the gospel of Jesus will be rewarded by Him for all eternity.
Next time Luke shares, “when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea”, 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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