The beloved physician Luke shared how Paul, Barnabas, Silas and Judas, “delivered the epistle” to the church in Antioch of Syria “which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles. Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still. Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also”, and in chapter fifteen and verse thirty-six of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “Paul said to Barnabas, let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached” where we read:
And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.
The verse begins, “And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, ...” Luke began with the words, “and some days after” which means “and when a few sunrises to sunset passed” “Paul said” or “Paul whose name means small or little uttered, declared and proclaimed” “unto Barnabas” which means “to Barnabas whose name means son of rest and was the surname of Joses or Joseph, a Levite, a native of Cyprus who was a distinguished Christian teacher and companion and colleague of Paul” the following words. Luke shared how “Paul” spoke to “Barnabas” concerning the following words after some time of remaining in Antioch of Syria.
The verse goes on to say, “... Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.” Luke continued with the words, “let us go again” or “allow and permit us, Paul and Barnabas, to depart and leave another time” “and visit our brethren” which means “and look upon, care for and provide for the brothers in Christ who are fellow believers that were united to each other by the bond of affection” “in every city” or “within each, all , the whole and everyone of the villages, towns, habitations and abodes” “where we have preached” which means “in the places and location that we, Paul and Barnabas, heralded, announced and proclaimed” “the word of the Lord” or “the speech, utterances, decrees and mandates belonging to the One to whom a person or thing belongs about which he has the power of deciding; master, and the title given to God the Messiah”, “and see how they do” which means “and observe, behold and discover how the believers are doing in those areas”. Luke shared how “Paul” suggested to “Barnabas” that they return to the cities where they previously “shared the gospel” to discover how the believers were doing in those areas.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” desired to return to the areas where he and “Barnabas” previously shared the gospel and confirmed believers. “Paul” cared for the current condition of the believers in those cities, and he thought it would be a good idea if he and “Barnabas” went back to those places to check on them. We shall see how “Barnabas” responds in our next verse, but for now let us understand the walk of the believer in Jesus does not end when they receive Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”. It is only the beginning. God wants to continue to relate to people through His word, the Bible, and when people study the word of God, they grow in their relationship with Him. “Faith” in God grows. “Trust” in God grows, and obedience to God and His direction increases as they realize He will help them keep His word. Those who are wise yield to Jesus and continue their personal relationship with Him through His word and the teachers and preachers thereof.
Next time Luke shares how “Barnabas determined to take with them John”, 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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