The beloved physician Luke shared how Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke himself went to “Thessalonica” and shared the gospel with the Jews located there. After some of them believed, other non-believing Jewish people rose up against them, and “the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming there went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few”, and in chapter seventeen and verse thirteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “the Jews of Thessalonica” came to Berea where we read:
But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came there also, and stirred up the people.
The verse begins, “But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea,” Luke began with the words, “but when the Jews of Thessalonica” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover at the time and moment the people of the Jewish nation by origin, birth or religion belonging to the city of Thessalonica whose name means victory of falsity and was a famous and populous city, situated on the Thermaic Gulf, the capital of the second division of Macedonia and the residence of a Roman governor and quaestor” “had knowledge” or “came to know, perceived and understood” “that the word of God” which means “that the speech, decree, mandate and utterance belonging to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “was preached of Paul” or “was proclaimed, announced and heralded by Paul whose name means small or little” “at Berea” which means “in the city of Berea whose name means well-watered and was a city in Macedonia, near Pella, at the foot of Mount Bermius”. Luke shared how the non-believing Jewish people from the city of Thessalonica “heard and perceived” that God's “gospel” of salvation through His Son Jesus was being proclaimed by “Paul the apostle” in the city of “Berea”.
The verse continues, “they came there also, and stirred up the people.” Luke added the words, “they came there also” or “the non-believing Jewish people even so and indeed arose and appeared in the city of Berea”, “and stirred up the people” which means “and aroused, agitated and shook the minds of the human beings both male and female who were in the city of Berea”. Luke shared how the non-believing Jewish people from “Thessalonica” went to “Berea” and began to arouse and agitate the people against “Paul and Silas” and their teachings.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the non-believing Jewish people in Thessalonica were not satisfied with removing “Paul and Silas” from their city, they had to travel to “Berea” as well when they understood the same teaching was being given there. Can we see how the enemy of our souls, Satan, was with these non-believing Jews? God wants people to have a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, however, Satan wants to take everyone he can to hell with him to be separated from God forever. This is “spiritual warfare” (See Epheisians 6:12 for more information), and there is war over the souls of mankind. The gospel of Jesus Christ is that He came to die on the cross for the sins of everyone, and anyone who “believes” in Him will be forgiven of their sins. Jesus was raised from the dead three days later, and this opened the gate for everyone who believes and trusts in Him to inherit eternal life with God. Those who are wise will carefully examine the plan and purpose of God to save mankind, and surrender their lives to Him regardless of the opposition they face for doing so.
Next time Luke shares how, “the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or 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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