Luke the beloved physician shared how, “a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis”, and in chapter sixteen and verse twelve of the book of Acts Luke shared how he, Paul, Silas and Timothy traveled, “to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia” where we read:
And from there to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony:
and we were in that city abiding certain days.
The verse begins, “And from there to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony:” Luke began with the words, “and from there” which means “and apart and separate from Neapolis” “to Philippi” whose name means “lover of horses and was a city of Macedonia located on or near the northern coast of the Aegean Sea, between the rivers Strymon and Nestus, and the cities Neapolis and Amphipolis”, “which is the chief city” which means “that is the principle, best and first dwelling place, habitation and abode” “of that part of Macedonia” or “of that portion, share and province belonging to Macedonia which means extended land and was a country bounded on the south by Thessaly and Epirus, on the east by Thrace and the Aegean Sea, on the west by Illyria, and on the North by Dardania and Moesia”, “and a colony” which refers to “a body or settlement of people”. Luke shared how “Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke” sailed from “Neapolis” to “Philippi” that was the “principle” dwelling place in “Macedonia” where a “settlement” of people lived.
The verse goes on to say, “and we were in that city abiding certain days.” Luke continued with the words, “and we were in that city” or “and we, Luke, Paul, Silas and Timothy, stayed within the city of Philippi” “abiding certain days” which means “living, dwelling and lodging for a particular number of sunrises and sunsets”. Luke shared how he along with “Paul” and the others with him stayed in the city of “Philippi” for a particular number of days.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn more about the travels of “Paul”, along with Luke himself and his other companions, who sailed to “Philippi”. There they stayed for some “days” as they continued their missionary journey, and they were traveling in the leading of God's Spirit. God desires to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and when they yield to Him as their “Savior and Lord”, they will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. Afterward they are lead by His Holy Spirit to wherever His “gospel” is to be shared, and wherever they go and live, God will use them to promote His message of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ.
Next time Luke shares how he, Paul and Silas, “went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made”, 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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