Luke the beloved physician shared how, “Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches. Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek. Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek. And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem”, and in chapter sixteen and verse five of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “the churches ... increased in number daily.” where we read:
And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
The verse begins, “And so were the churches established in the faith, ...” Luke began with the words, “and so were the churches established” which means “and therefore, then and on this account the assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting were made solid, firm and strong” “in the faith” or “within the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ”. Luke shared how the “assembly of believers in Jesus” were made strong in their “belief and trust” in God and His Son Jesus.
The verse continues, “... and increased in number daily.” Luke added the words, “and increased in number” or “and abounded and overflowed in the number of people who were believing and attending the churches” “daily” which means “every day”. Luke shared how the number of people who came to be believers in Jesus and a part of the churches “abounded and overflowed” on a “daily” basis.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the churches were not only “strengthened” in their belief and trust in Jesus, but also how many other people came to be a part of the churches. God's church was growing, and because there were so many people putting their faith and trust in Jesus, they needed to be guided in their new walk with God. God wants people to believe and trust in Him through His Son Jesus, and when they yield themselves to Him, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. Then He begins a relationship with them that continually grows and becomes a means by which others come to know Him. Those who are wise will see the overflowing growth that occurred in these churches and aspire to be used by God to increase the number of people who come into His Kingdom.
Next time Luke shares how Paul and Silas, “were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia”, 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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