The beloved physician Luke wrote while certain teachers and prophets in the church in Antioch, “ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from there they sailed to Cyprus”, and in chapter thirteen and verse five of the book of Acts Luke shared how Barnabas and Saul, “preached the word of God in the synagogues” where we read:
And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews:
and they had also John to their minister.
The verse begins, “And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews:” Luke began with the words, “and when they were at Salamis” which means “and at the time and moment Barnabas and Saul were in the city of Salamis which means salt and was a principal city at the east end of the island of Cyprus”, “they preached the word of God” or “Barnabas and Saul announced, proclaimed, declared and published the speech and tone of words belonging to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “in the synagogues” which means “within an assembly of Jews formally gathered together to offer prayers and listen to the reading and expositions of the scriptures” “of the Jews” or “belonging to the people within the Jewish nation by origin, birth or religion”. Luke shared how “Barnabas and Saul” began to share the “word of God”, the gospel, with the people in the “synagogues” located in “Salamis” of “Cyprus”.
The verse continues, “and they had also John to their minister.” Luke added the words, “and they had also John” which means “and Barnabas and Saul even so and indeed obtained John Mark” “to their minister” or “as their servant or attendant”. Luke shared how “John Mark” was the attendant to “Barnabas and Saul” while they ministered.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn about the first speaking engagement for “Barnabas and Saul” as they ventured on their first missionary journey. After they arrived in the island of “Cyprus”, they found the “synagogue” located in “Salamis” and began to speak to the people about the “good news” of Jesus Christ. “John Mark” was with them and served them as an attendant, and we shall discover what happens with him later in our story. For now let us be aware of God's intentional plan to spread His “gospel” throughout the world, and “Barnabas and Saul” were commissioned to share God's “good news”. God loves people, and anyone who yields their life to His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life. God's message continues, and those who are wise will surrender themselves to Him.
Next time Luke shares how Barnabas and Saul, “found a certain sorcerer”, 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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