The physician Luke wrote how two servants and a soldier of Cornelius went to Joppa to find Peter. After arriving at Simon's house where Peter was staying, they met Peter and convinced him to go see their master Cornelius. After entering Cornelius house, Peter found many people gathered there, and Cornelius told Peter, “we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded you of God. Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons. But in every nation he that fears him, and works righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)”, and in chapter ten and verse thirty-seven of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter referred to, “that word … which was published throughout all Judaea” where we read:
That word, I say, you know, which was published throughout all Judaea,
and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
The verse begins, “That word, I say, you know, which was published throughout all Judaea, ...” Luke began with the words, “that word” which means “the speech and sound of uttered declarations from God”, “I say” or “I, Peter, utter, declare and proclaim”, “you know” which means “you, Cornelius and the people in his house”, “which was published” or “that was proclaimed, appeared and happened” “throughout all Judaea” which means “down from, toward and along each, every, the whole and everywhere in Judaea which means he shall be praised and was the southern portion of Palestine lying on this side of the Jordan and the Dead Sea, to distinguish it from Samaria, Galilee, Peraea, and Idumaea”. Luke shared how “Peter” referred to how “Cornelius” and the people in his home were aware of the “declaration” from God about His Son Jesus bringing peace because it was “proclaimed” in all of the area of “Judaea”.
The verse continues, “... and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;” Luke added the words, “and began from Galilee” which means “and started and initiated apart from Galilee whose name means circuit and was the name of a region of northern Palestine, bounded on the north by Syria, on the west by Sidon, Tyre, Ptolemais and their territories and the promontory of Carmel, on the south by Samaria and on the east by the Jordan”, “after the baptism which John” or “following the immersion and submersion in water that John whose name means Jehovah is a gracious giver and was known as John the Baptist” “preached” which means “heralded, proclaimed, published and proclaimed publicly”. Luke shared how “Peter” referred to how the “peace” presented by God through Jesus was initiated at “Galilee” after John the Baptist proclaimed his message and “baptized” people.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we see how “Peter” continued to share with “Cornelius” and the people in his house as he referred to the proclamation of the peace Jesus offers throughout all of the area of Judaea. This preaching initiated from “Galilee”, and began after John the Baptist was “preaching”. The idea is that the “good news” of Jesus Christ was spreading, and now Cornelius and the people within his home were able to hear the “good news” as well. God loves people, and He had a plan to spread His “gospel” through His Son Jesus and His disciples. Now anyone, from anywhere, can yield to Jesus as their “Savior and Lord”, and when they do, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. Those who are wise will surrender to Jesus and enjoy the “peace of God” that is offered by a relationship with Him.
Next time Luke shares, “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power”, 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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