Luke the beloved physician shared, “Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God”, and in chapter thirteen and verse forty-four of the book of Acts Luke shared, “the next sabbath day came almost the whole city”, where we read:
And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.
The verse begins, “And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together ...” Luke began with the words, “and the next sabbath day” which means “and the following seventh day of each week which was a sacred festival on which the Israelites were required to abstain from all work” “came almost the whole city together” or “arose and appeared nearly every person within the habitation, abode and dwelling place of Antioch”. Luke shared how nearly everybody within the city of Antioch of Pisidia assembled together.
The verse goes on to say, “... to hear the word of God.” Luke continued with the words, “to hear the word” which means “to be endowed with the faculty of hearing, perceiving and understanding the speech, utterance and voice that embodies a conception or idea” “of God” which means “belonging to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Luke shared how the people within the city of “Antioch of Pisidia” gathered so they could “hear” “God's word” spoken to them.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn about the impact the speaking of “Paul and his companions” had upon the people within the city of Antioch. The “good news” of “salvation through Jesus Christ” was attractive to the people in the city, and they desired to hear more about “God's grace” and love. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (See John 3:16), and everyone who yields their life to Jesus will be forgiven of their sins and inherit eternal life with God. Everyone who reads these words should have the desire of these people in Antioch and be willing to hear about God's grace and love for everyone who will yields themselves to Jesus.
Next time Luke shares, “when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, ...”, 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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