The beloved physician Luke shared after Paul and Barnabas, “passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia, and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia. And there sailed to Antioch, from where they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles”, and in chapter fourteen and verse twenty-eight of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul and Barnabas, “abode long time with the disciples”, where we read:
And there they abode long time with the disciples.
The verse begins, “And there they abode long time ...” Luke began with the words, “and there they abode” which means “and Paul, Barnabas and their companions lived, dwelled and inhabited Antioch of Syria” “long time” or “for a large and abundant amount of time”. Luke shared how “Paul, Barnabas and their traveling companions” stayed in “Antioch of Syria” for a long period of time.
The verse goes on to say, “... with the disciples.” Luke continued with the words, “with the disciples” or “alongside the fellow believers, students, pupils and attendants of Jesus”. Luke shared how “Paul, Barnabas and their traveling companions” lived among the other “disciples of Jesus” who were in the city of “Antioch of Syria”.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul, Barnabas and their traveling companions” decided to dwell in the city of “Antioch of Syria” for a while, and because they were sent out from there, they knew the “disciples” of Jesus who lived there and were able to stay with them. God has a plan for every person who yields their life to His Son Jesus, and He guides them step by step for how long they are to continue in one place or another. These “apostles” continued with their fellow believers, and this time with them would allow them to recuperate from their travels. Those who are wise will surrender themselves to Jesus and allow Him to direct their paths for the time they are to stay, and the time they are to leave.
Next time we begin a new chapter and see Luke share how, “certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except you be circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved”, 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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