The beloved physician Luke shared when Paul, Barnabas and their companions, “were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, you know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knows the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us”, and in chapter fifteen and verse nine of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter said, God, “put no difference between us and them” where we read:
And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
The verse begins, “And put no difference between us and them, ...” Luke began with the words, “and put no difference” which means “and made no distinction, discrimination or separation” “between us” or “between the Jewish believers” “and them” which means “and the Gentile believers”. Luke shared how “Peter” said God Himself made no special “distinction” or “separation” between the “Jewish” believers in Jesus and the “Gentile” ones.
The verse continues, “... purifying their hearts by faith.” Luke added the words, “purifying their hearts” or “cleansing and making free from defilement of sins and fault which were in the Gentiles' souls and minds” “by faith” which means “through and by means of belief, trust and confidence within Jesus”. Luke shared how “Peter” said “God” cleansed the “hearts and souls” of the “Gentiles” who believed, trusted and put their confidence in Jesus.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how God made no “distinction or separation” between the “Jews” and the “Gentiles”. Although the “gospel of Jesus Christ” was first given to the “Jewish” people, God included the “Gentiles” in His efforts to “save” all mankind. God loves everybody, and He wants everyone to yield to His Son Jesus to be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with Him. Those who understand God's blessing of His Holy Spirit being poured out upon all believers should surrender their lives to Jesus and become part of God's family in the world.
Next time Luke shares how Peter asks, “therefore why tempt you God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciple” 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