The beloved physician Luke shared as Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke himself went, “to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying. The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, and brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city”, and in chapter sixteen and verse twenty-one of the book of Acts Luke shared how the masters of the damsel told the magistrates that Paul and his companions, “teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive”, where we read:
And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
The verse begins, “And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, ...” Luke began with the words, “and teach customs” which means “and announce, declare, promulgate, make known, proclaim and publish publicly prescriptions, manners and usages”, “which are not lawful for us” or “that are against the rules on behalf of the masters and magistrates” “to receive” which means “to take up, accept and delight in”. Luke shared how the “masters of the damsel” told the “magistrates” that “Paul and Silas” were giving instruction and proclaiming manners that were against the “rules or law” for the “masters of the damsel” and the “magistrates” to accept.
The verse continues, “... neither to observe, being Romans.” Luke added the words, “neither to observe” or “nor and not in any way to behold, see and to act rightly toward”, “being Romans” which means “existing as residents and citizens of the city of Rome”. Luke shared how the “masters” of the “damsel” also told the “magistrates” the “customs” taught by “Paul and Silas” were not followed or obeyed by the people who were citizens of Rome.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn more about the accusations the “masters” of the “damsel” contended against “Paul and Silas”. They stated that “Paul and Silas” were giving didactic teachings that were against the “Roman” “law”, and because of this, those who were “Romans” had no obligation to “observe” or follow them. “Paul and Silas” were teaching the good news of Jesus Christ and God's love for people. Believing and trusting in Jesus provides forgiveness of sins and eternal life to everyone who yields to Him, and when these teachings are considered “unlawful” by any government, that government is misguided and wrong. Those who are wise will carefully examine the charges brought against “Paul and Silas”, and ask whether they themselves would be found “guilty” of that which “Paul and Silas” were accused.
Next time Luke shares how “the multitude rose up together against them”, 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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