The beloved physician Luke shared how Paul and Barnabas were in Lystra, and “there came there certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, ...”, and in chapter fourteen and verse twenty-two of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul and Barnabas were, “confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith”, where we read:
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith,
and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
The verse begins, “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, ...” Luke began with the words, “confirming the souls” which means “establishing and rendering more firm the hearts and minds” “of the disciples” or “belonging to the students, pupils and attendants of Jesus”, “and exhorting them” which means “and summoning, addressing and admonishing the disciples of Jesus” “to continue in the faith” or “to remain, hold fast and persevere in the belief, trust and confidence in their relationship with Jesus”. Luke shared how “Paul and Barnabas” spent their time in “Lystra, Iconium and Antioch” by “establishing” the new believers or disciples and “admonished” them to remain in their belief in Jesus.
The verse goes on to say, “... and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Luke continued with the words, “and that we must” or “and that it is necessary, our duty and purpose that we, believers in Jesus, ” “through much tribulation” which means “by way of a lot and abundant amount of oppression, affliction, distress and straits” “enter into the kingdom of God” or “come into, arise and appear within the royal power, dominion, rule and authority belonging to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Luke shared how “Paul and Barnabas” told the believers in “Lystra, Iconium and Antioch” that they would suffer abundant “oppression and affliction” to come into “God's” “Kingdom”.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we discover what “Paul and Barnabas” did when they returned to the cities of “Lystra, Iconium and Antioch in Pisidia”. They encouraged and admonished the new believers in those cities, and they warned them about the “oppression and affliction” they would encounter as they “entered” into “God's Kingdom”. God never promised there would not be “afflictions and troubles” for those who share the gospel of His Son Jesus, and “Paul” was indeed a great witness to what happens to some people who testify to others about Him. God loves everyone, and He sent His Son Jesus to die for their sins by dying on the cross. Anyone who believes and trusts in Him will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life, and God will use them to share with others concerning His “saving grace”. Though “oppression and affliction” may come, those who tell others about Jesus will not go unnoticed by God, and they will receive Heavenly awards for aligning with His will.
Next time Luke shares what Paul and Barnabas did after, “they had ordained them elders in every church”, 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".
No comments:
Post a Comment