The beloved physician Luke shared when Paul, Barnabas and their companions came to Jerusalem, “a certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed” were “saying” about the Gentile believers “That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” After much discussion, the church in Jerusalem decided to, “send chosen men unto” Antioch with their “beloved Barnabas and Paul, men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” They also wrote in a letter, “We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things. That you abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if you keep yourselves, you shall do well. Fare you well. So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle. Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles”, and in chapter fifteen and verse thirty-four of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “it pleased Silas to abide there still” where we read:
Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.
The verse begins, “Notwithstanding it pleased Silas ...” Luke began with the word, “notwithstanding” which means “however and moreover” “it pleased Silas” or “it seemed good, pleasant and was reputed to Silas whose name means woody and was a Roman citizen and the companion of the apostle Paul on several of his missionary journeys”. Luke shared how it seemed good to “Silas” to do the following.
The verse goes on to say, “... to abide there still.” Luke continued with the words, “to abide there” or “to stay and remain in Antioch of Syria” “still” which means “unmoving and static”. Luke shared how “Silas” desired to continue to stay with the Gentile believers in Antioch of Syria.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Silas” decided to remain with the Gentile believers in Antioch of Syria. Although he was released to go back to the church in Jerusalem to where the “apostles of Jesus were”, “Silas” wanted to stay with the Gentile believers. God calls people to have a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, and when they submit to Him, He will forgive them of their sins and grant them everlasting life. Afterward He will employ them for a determined amount of time to share with others His “gospel and word”. Those who are wise make themselves available to God the Father and surrender to His purposes and plans for their lives.
Next time Luke shares how, “Paul and Barnabas continued in Antioch”, 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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