The beloved physician Luke shared when Paul, Barnabas and their companions came to Jerusalem, “a certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed” were “saying” about the Gentile believers “That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, you know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knows the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us. And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt you God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me”, and in chapter fifteen and verse fourteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how James said, “God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name” where we read:
Simeon has declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles,
to take out of them a people for his name.
The verse begins, “Simeon has declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, ...” Luke began with the words, “Simeon had declared” which means “Simeon whose name means a little rock or stone who was also called Peter proclaimed, uttered and said” “how God at the first” or “the way in which God the Heavenly Father in the beginning” “did visit the Gentiles” which means “looked upon, provided for and went to see the non-Jewish, heathen, pagan and foreign people who were of the same nature and genus”. Luke shared how “James” reminded the people in the Jewish assembly about “Peter” saying that “God Himself” was to “go to and provide for” the “pagan, heathen and non-Jewish” people.
The verse goes on to say, “... to take out of them a people for his name.” Luke continued with the words, “to take out of them” or “to claim and procure from the Gentiles” “a people” which means “a tribe, nation and population of human beings both male and female” “for his name” or “toward God's cause, reason and account”. Luke shared how “James” reminded the Jewish assembly of believers that God desired to “claim and procure” “Gentile people” for His “cause and account”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “James” referred to “Peter's” encounter with “Cornelius” where he and his household were saved and received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. (See Acts 10) At that time God was indicating to the Jewish believers that “Gentiles” were also to receive His “saving grace”, and this account happened before “Barnabas and Paul” ventured to foreign places. God loves everybody, and He desires to have a loving personal relationship with them regardless of whether they are Jews or Gentiles. All are invited to receive God's Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”, and anyone who yields to Him will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life in Heaven. Let all who read these words know that God wants “to take out of them a people for His name” and surrender to Jesus to become part of the “people” God desires.
Next time Luke shares how James says, “to this agree the words of the prophets” 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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