Luke the beloved physician wrote, “when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem”, and in chapter thirteen and verse fourteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul and his company, “departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia” where we read:
But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia,
and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
The verse begins, “But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, ...” Luke began with the words, “but when they departed from Perga” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover at the time and moment Paul and his company left and went forth from the city of Perga which means earthy and was a town in Pamphylia, on the river Cestius, at a distance of 7 miles (10 km) from its mouth, and famous in antiquity for the worship of Artemis (Diana) ”, “they came to Antioch” or “Paul and his company arose and appeared in Antioch which means driven against and was a city in Pisidia on the borders Phrygia, founded by Seleucus Nicanor. Under the Romans it became a "colonia" and was also called Caesarea” “in Pisidia” which means “within Pisidia which means pitchy and was a region in Asia Minor bounded by Pamphylia, and the Pamphylian Sea, Phrygia, and Lycaonia”. Luke shared how “Paul” and the people who accompanied him left from “Perga” to travel to “Antioch” which was located in the region of “Pisidia”.
The verse goes on to say, “... and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.” Luke continued with the words, “and went into the synagogue” which means “and entered the assembly of Jews formally gathered together to offer prayers and listen to the reading and expositions of the scriptures;” “on the sabbath day” or “upon the the seventh day of each week which was a sacred festival on which the Israelites were required to abstain from all work”, “and sat down” which means “and was seated”. Luke shared how “Paul and his company” found the “synagogue” in “Antioch”, entered it on the “Sabbath day” and was seated among the people who gathered there.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” and the people with him left the city of “Perga” to continue to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. They came upon “Antioch in Pisidia” where they found the synagogue on the “Sabbath day”. “Paul” went to where he knew Jewish people would be gathered for spiritual practices, and because he was a “rabbi”, he might be given the opportunity to speak to the people. God was spreading His “gospel” through “Paul and his company”, and each of these encounters speaks to the idea that God wants everyone to have a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus. Anyone who yields their life to Jesus will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life, and no matter where they are in the world, He wants people to know Him for all eternity.
Next time Luke shares how Paul and his company, “the rulers of the synagogue” say “if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on”, 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".
No comments:
Post a Comment