The beloved physician Luke wrote how Paul spoke to the people in the synagogue in Antioch and said, “When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think you that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there comes one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose”, and in chapter thirteen and verse twenty-six of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul says, “to you is the word of this salvation sent” where we read:
Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham,
and whosoever among you fears God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.
The verse begins, “Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, ...” Luke began with the words, “men and brethren” which means “male human beings and brothers who are united by the bond of affection”, “children” or “offspring and progeny” “of the stock of Abraham” which means “belonging to the kindred and nation of Abraham whose name means father of a multitude and was the founder of the Jewish nation”. Luke shared how “Paul” addressed the people in the synagogue by associating with them as fellow members of the nation and family of “Abraham”.
The verse goes on to say, “... and whosoever among you fears God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.” Luke continued with the words, “and whosoever among you” which means “and whatever person whether male or female within the group of people assembled” “fears God” or “respects, has awe toward and reverences the Heavenly Father God”, “to you is the word” which means “toward you, people assembled who reverenced God, is the sound, tone and speech of the uttered mandate, decree and order” “of this salvation sent” or “pertaining to the rescue, deliverance and preservation dispatched and assigned”. Luke shared how “Paul” told the people in the synagogue the message of “salvation” was assigned to all of them who reverenced and were in “awe” of the “Heavenly Father God”.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” was finally at the point of sharing the salvation of God through Jesus with the people gathered in the synagogue. God loves people, and the “history” of “Israel” lead to the revelation of His Son Jesus as the “Savior and Lord” of the world. God desires to have a personal relationship with everyone who will believe and trust in Jesus, and when they do, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. Let all who read these words yield themselves to Jesus who alone is able to “save” people from their sins and give them eternal life with God.
Next time Luke shares how Paul refers to, “they that dwell at Jerusalem … condemning him”, 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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