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.” After much discussion among them, Peter spoke about this, and afterward James declared, “Men and brethren, hearken unto me. Simeon has declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name”, and in chapter fifteen and verse fifteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how James said, “to this agree the words of the prophets” where we read:
And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
The verse begins, “And to this agree the words of the prophets;” Luke began with the words, “and to this agree” which means “and to the idea of God taking out of the Gentiles a people for His name is harmonious and in accord with” “the words” or “the speech, declarations and utterances” “of the prophets” which means “belonging to the men who were moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organs or spokesmen who solemnly declared to men what they received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation”. Luke shared how “James” told the Jewish believers who were gathered that God wanting to “save” the Gentiles was harmonious with the writings of the “prophets” of old.
The verse continues, “as it is written,” Luke added the words, “as it” or “even as and in likeness to the idea of the Gentiles being saved” “is written” which means “is delineated and formed in letters upon a tablet, parchment, paper or other material within the scriptures”. Luke shared how “James” began to refer to the “scriptures” that were “written” by the prophets.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we discover how “James” referred to the “Holy Scriptures” to bring understanding to the Jewish believers about God's desire to “save” the “Gentiles”. He recalled the “prophets” who previously spoke of the “Gentiles” being “saved” and how God included them in His Kingdom. God wants to have a loving personal relationship with every person who believes and trusts in His Son Jesus as their “Savior and Lord”, and when they yield to Him, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. God loves the Jews, and He loves the Gentiles. He made all of them, and He wants them to live with Him forever. Entrance into His Kingdom is through His Son Jesus, and those who are wise will surrender their lives to Him and live forever with God.
Next time Luke shares how James refers to the prophesy that says, “After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down” 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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