The beloved physician Luke shared how Paul and Barnabas, “went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles”, and in chapter fourteen and verse five of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews”, where we read:
And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles,
and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,
The verse begins, “And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, ...” Luke began with the words, “and when there was an assault made” which means “and at the time there produced a violent motion and hostile movement” “both of the Gentiles” or “including the people who were non-Jews and pagans of the same genus and nature” and of the following. Luke began to share what happened with the “pagan non-Jews” and the following acted against the apostles.
The verse continues, “... and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,” Luke added the words, “and also of the Jews” which means “and even so and indeed belonging to the people who were Jewish by birth, origin or religion” “with their rulers” which means “alongside the Jews and Gentile's leaders, commanders and chiefs”, “to use them despitefully” or “to behave insolently and shamefully toward the apostles of Jesus”, “and to stone them” which means “and to pelt the apostles to death with rocks and stones”. Luke shared how the “Jewish and Gentile people and their leaders” also came against “the apostles” and treated them in such a shameful and insolent manner that they thought of “stoning” them to death.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn just how “divided” the people in the city of “Iconium” were against the “apostles” of Jesus. The people, both Jews and Gentiles, assembled themselves and their “leaders” to shamefully come against Jesus' “apostles” and their insolence included the idea of “stoning” them to death. Jesus told His disciples they would face opposition, (See John 16:33) and these people were fulfilling Jesus' words. God desires to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and when they believe and trust in Him as their “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. Those who “believe” otherwise shall face this same Jesus not as “Savior and Lord”, but as judge, and woe be to those who have positioned themselves in opposition to His “gospel message” of saving “grace”.
Next time Luke shares how the apostles, “fled unto Lystra and Derbe”, 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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