Luke the physician wrote, “there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they 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”, and in chapter thirteen and verse four of the book of Acts Luke shared how Barnabas and Saul, “departed unto Seleucia; and from there, they sailed to Cyprus” where we read:
So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia;
and from there they sailed to Cyprus.
The verse begins, “So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia;” Luke began with the words, “so they” which means “therefore Barnabas and Saul”, “being sent forth by the Holy Ghost” or “being dispatched and assigned by way of the sacred, pure, morally blameless and ceremonially and religiously consecrated third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, who is coequal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son”, “departed unto Seleucia” which means “left and went forth to Selucia which means white light and was a city of Syria near the mouth of the Orontes, about 16 miles (25 km) from Antioch”. Luke shared how “Barnabas and Saul” who were dispatched by the “Holy Spirit” left Antioch and journeyed to “Selucia” .
The verse goes on to say, “and from there they sailed to Cyprus.” Luke continued with the words, “and from there” which means “and from Selucia” “they sailed to Cyprus” or “Barnabas and Saul departed by ship and set sail to Cyprus which means love: a blossom and was a very fertile and delightful island of the Mediterranean lying between Cilicia and Syria”. Luke shared how “Barnabas and Saul” set sail from “Selucia” to the island of “Cyprus”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Barnabas and Saul” began their journey after being “dispatched” by the “Holy Spirit”, and they traveled to “Selucia” where they boarded a “sailboat” and set sail for the island of “Cyprus”. Their mission was underway, and the people they encountered would soon learn of the “gospel of salvation” through God's Son Jesus Christ. God was spreading His word, and “Barnabas and Saul” were employed to carry out the work. God loves everyone, and when they submit themselves to His Son Jesus, they will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life. Let all who carefully examine these words yield themselves to Jesus who alone is able to “save” them from the penalty for sins, death, and give them eternal life with His Father God, and this message is worthy to be delivered to the whole world.
Next time Luke shares, “when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews”, 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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