The beloved physician Luke shared how, “Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. 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. And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus”, and in chapter fifteen and verse forty of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “Paul chose Silas, and departed” where we read:
And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
The verse begins, “And Paul chose Silas, and departed, ...” Luke began with the word, “and Paul” whose name means “small or little” “chose Silas” or “selected and elected Silas whose name means woody and was a Roman citizen and the companion of the apostle Paul on several of his missionary journeys”, “and departed” which means “and went forth, emanated and proceeded upon their way”. Luke shared how “Paul” selected “Silas” as his traveling companion and left Antioch of Syria.
The verse goes on to say, “... being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.” Luke continued with the words, “being recommended by the brethren” or “delivered up and over permitted and allowed through the means of the fellow believers who were united to one another by the bond of affection” “unto the grace of God” which means “toward the joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness and unmerited favor belonging to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Luke shared how “Paul and Silas” left the church in Antioch of Syria with the blessing and permission of the fellow believers toward the “unmerited favor” of Almighty God.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul and Silas” left the church in Antioch of Syria with their blessing, and thereby “launched” “Paul and Silas” upon their second missionary journey. God's mission through “Paul and Silas” was to share and confirm His love and grace with people so they will submit themselves to His Son Jesus, be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life. This is why traveling in the “grace” of the Lord would be the motivating force with “Paul and Silas” and anyone who yields themselves to be used by God in His Kingdom will be empowered by Him to perform that which He desires to be done.
Next time Luke shares how Paul and Silas, “went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches”, 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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