Luke the beloved physician 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 in chapter fourteen and verse twenty-six of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul and Barnabas, “sailed to Antioch”, where we read:
And there sailed to Antioch, from where they had been recommended to the grace of God
for the work which they fulfilled.
The verse begins, “And there sailed to Antioch, from where they had been recommended to the grace of God ...” Luke began with the words, “and there sailed to Antioch” which means “and at Attalia Paul, Barnabas and their companions departed by ship and set sail toward Antioch whose name means driven against and was the Capital of Syria, situated on the river Orontes, founded by Seleucus Nicanor in 300 B.C. and named in honour of his father, Antiochus. Many Greek-Jews lived there and it was here that the followers of Christ were first called Christians”, “from where they had been recommended” or “back to the original place that Paul, Barnabas and their companions were commissioned, committed and entrusted” “to the grace of God” which means “toward that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness and unmerited favor which belongs to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Luke shared how “Paul, Barnabas and their traveling companions” finally reached their original “destination” in Antioch of Syria where they were commissioned to share the “good news” of “the grace of God” to the Gentiles.
The verse goes on to say, “... for the work which they fulfilled.” Luke continued the words, “for the work” or “on behalf of the business, employment, enterprise and undertaking” “which they fulfilled” which means “that Paul, Barnabas and their companions completed, filled up and finished”. Luke shared the purpose for sending “Paul, Barnabas and their traveling companions” to the Gentiles was so they could complete their mission of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with foreigners who did not know Him.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul, Barnabas and their companions” returned to “Antioch in Syria” where they were first commissioned to spread the “good news” of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. They completed this mission, and more people knew about Jesus Christ because of their efforts. Many people who have received the forgiveness of their sins and the promise of eternal life by their faith and trust in Jesus continue to share His “gospel of grace” unto this day, and some of them suffer greatly for doing so. God wants a personal, loving and intimate relationship with everyone, and when they yield to His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. Afterward they are to complete their mission of sharing His “good news” throughout their world, and when they finish their work, Jesus promised to reward them greatly for doing so. (See Matthew 16:27)
Next time Luke shares how Paul and Barnabas, “rehearsed all that God had done with them”, 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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