The beloved physician Luke 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”, and in chapter sixteen and verse ten of the book of Acts Luke shared how he, Paul and Silas, “came with a straight course to Samothracia, and … Neopolis” where we read:
Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia,
The verse begins, “Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, ...” Luke began with the words, “therefore loosing from Troas” which means “then, wherefore, on this account and consequently launching, setting sail and being put to sea apart and separate from Troas whose name means a Trojan and was a city near Hellespont”, “we came with a straight course” or “we, Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke, arose, appeared and set sail with a direct path” “to Samothracia” whose name means “a sign of rags” and was “an island on the Aegean Sea, about 38 Miles (60 km) from the coast of Thrace at the mouth of the river Hebrus”. Luke shared how “Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke” set sail from “Troas” and went directly to “Samothracia”.
The verse continues, “... and the next day to Neapolis;” Luke added the words, “and the next day” or “and upon the following sunrise to sunset” “to Neapolis” which means “toward Neapolis whose name means new city and was a maritime city of Macedonia, on the gulf of Syrymon, having a port and colonized by Chalcidians”. Luke shared how “Paul” and those with him sailed to “Neapolis” on the day after they reached “Samothracia”.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn about the travels of “Paul” and those with him as they set sail to “Macedonia”. After leaving “Troas”, they sailed to “Samothracia”, and after reaching that destination, they sailed to “Neapolis”. This step by step and city by city account of “Paul” and his entourage's travel is worthy of mapping out and should be understood to be the movement of God's “gospel” message being spread throughout the world. God loves people, and He leads the believers in His Son Jesus to where people are located to share His “gospel” with them. Those who are wise will seek a personal relationship with Jesus to have their sins forgiven and receive eternal life. Afterward they are to be willing to be directed by God's Holy Spirit to places and people with whom they are to share His “good news of salvation”.
Next time Luke shares how he, Paul and Silas traveled, “to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia”, 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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