Following Paul and Barnabas - Acts 13:43

The beloved physician Luke shared, “when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath”, and in chapter thirteen and verse forty-three of the book of Acts Luke shared, “when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas”, where we read:

Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

The verse begins, “Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas:” Luke began with the words, “now when the congregation” which means “moreover at the time and moment the assembly or gathering” “was broken up” or “was let go, dismissed and dissolved”, “many of the Jews” which means “a large and abundant number of people who belonged to the Jewish nation by origin, birth or religion” “and religious proselytes” or “and revered and worshipful strangers, newcomers or ones who came over from a Gentile religion to Judaism” “followed Paul” which means “joined with and became disciples of Paul whose name means little or small” “and Barnabas” whose name means “son of rest which was the surname of Joses or Joseph, a Levite, a native of Cyprus who was a distinguished Christian teacher”. Luke shared how “people” both “Jews” and “proselytes to the Jewish faith” began to “accompany” “Paul and Barnabas” after they left the “assembly” in the synagogue.

The verse continues, “who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.” Luke added the words, “who, speaking to them” which means “who, Paul and Barnabas, uttering, declaring and proclaiming to the people who followed them”, “persuaded them” which means “induced, swayed and stimulated the people accompanying Paul and Barnabas” “to continue in the grace of God” or “to stay, tarry, abide and remain within the good-will, loving-kindness and unmerited favor belonging to the Godhead and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Luke shared how “Paul” spoke to the people who were following him and Barnabas to “abide and remain” within God's “unmerited favor”.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how people began to “follow” “Paul and Barnabas” after they left the “synagogue”, and “Paul” encouraged them to “remain” within the “divine unmerited favor” of God Almighty. God loves people, and He desires to pour out His “grace” upon any person who yields their life to His Son Jesus. Those who are wise will hear and obey the “persuasion” of “Paul and Barnabas” and “remain” in God Almighty's “grace”.

Next time Luke shares how there, “came almost the whole city together”, 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".