Luke the beloved physician shared how Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke himself went to “Thessalonica” and shared the gospel with the Jews located there. After some of them believed, other non-believing Jewish people rose up against them, and “the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming there went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so”, and in chapter seventeen and verse twelve of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “many of them believed” where we read:
Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
The verse begins, “Therefore many of them believed;” Luke began with the words, “therefore many of them” which means “then, wherefore, consequently and on this account a good number and an abundant amount of the Berean Jews” “believed” or “trusted in, relied upon, clung to and had confidence in the gospel of Jesus Christ”. Luke shared how a great number of “Berean Jews” “trusted in, relied upon and clung to” the “good news of Jesus Christ” shared by “Paul and Silas”.
The verse goes on to say, “also of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.” Luke continued with the words, “also of honorable women” or “even so and indeed by elegant, influential, wealthy and respectable female human beings” “which were Greeks” which means “who existed as non-Jewish, Gentile and Grecian women”, “and of men” or “and by male human beings”, “not a few” which means “no and nor in any way a small number or quantity of them”. Luke shared how “highly respected” women and a great number men who were of “Grecian” descent “believed and trusted” in the “gospel of Jesus Christ”.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn the effect of the “open minds” and “open Bible” practiced by the Bereans. They “believed”. Luke noted that “honorable, influential and respected” Grecian women trusted in Jesus as well as “a great number” of the “Grecian” men. God's salvation plan was not only received and examined by these “Berean Jews”, but also was manifested in the lives of those who were well respected among them. God loves everybody, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with them through His Son Jesus. When they submit to Him, regardless of their station, nation, race or place in this world, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life with God. Let all who read these words surrender to the “Jesus Christ” and receive and believe the forgiveness and eternal life offered by His Father God.
Next time Luke shares how, “the Jews of Thessalonica” come to Berea, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or 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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