The beloved physician Luke wrote how Paul and Barnabas shared the gospel with the Jews and Gentiles in the synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia, and after almost the whole city gathered to hear them, “the Jews stirred up the devout and honorable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium”, and in chapter thirteen and verse fifty-two of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost”, where we read:
And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
The verse begins, “And the disciples were filled with joy, ...” Luke began with the words, “and the disciples” which means “and the students, pupils and attendants of Jesus” “were filled with joy” or “were made full, filled up and supplied liberally with calm delight and exceeding gladness”. Luke shared how Jesus' “students and pupils” were liberally supplied with “exceeding gladness”.
The verse goes on to say, “... and with the Holy Ghost.” Luke continued with the words, “and with” which means “and filled with” “the Holy Ghost” which means “the sacred, pure, morally blameless and religiously and ceremonially consecrated third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, who is coequal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son”. Luke shared how the disciples of Jesus were also “filled” with the Holy Spirit of God.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the disciples responded to being “thrown out” of the city of Antioch. Rather than being sad or despondent, they were “filled with joy”, and they were liberally supplied with the Holy Spirit of God. “Paul, Barnabas and their companions” were not affected adversely when they were rejected by people, they were “exceedingly glad” and filled with God's Spirit. Those who align with God's purpose and plan of salvation and extend that message to others should look upon these men as examples of how to be when they are “persecuted and rejected” by others. God loves everyone, and His “good news of salvation” through His Son Jesus is for anyone who believes and trusts in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”.
Next time we begin a new chapter and see Luke share about Paul and Barnabas, “in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews”, 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