The beloved physician Luke wrote, “while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were you baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism”, and in chapter nineteen and verse four of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul told the believers at Ephesus, “that they should believe on … Christ Jesus” where we read:
Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
The verse reads, “Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, ...”: Luke began with the words, “then said Paul” which means “at that time uttered, declared and proclaimed Paul whose name means small or little”, “John verily baptized” or “John, who was known as John the Baptist whose name means Jehovah is a gracious giver and was the forerunner of Christ, truly and surely immersed, submerged and dipped people in water” “with the baptism of repentance” which means “according to the submersion of change of mind and reversal of purpose toward compunction for guilt”, “saying unto the people” or “uttering, declaring and proclaiming to the human being both male and female the following words”. Luke shared how “Paul” told the “disciples at Ephesus” that “John the Baptist” immersed people in water according to “changing their minds and hearts” and proclaiming the following.
The verse continues, “... that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” Luke added the words “that they should believe on him” or “that the people to whom John the Baptist was speaking should trust in, rely upon, cling to and have confidence in the One” “which should come after him” which means “who was to follow him”, “that is, on Christ Jesus” or “specifically the anointed One, the Messiah and Son of God who was Jesus whose name means Jehovah is Salvation and is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate”. Luke shared how “Paul” told the “disciples at Ephesus” that “John the Baptist” instructed those listening to him to “trust in and rely upon” the “One” who was to follow him which was Jesus Christ.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” began where the “disciples of Ephesus” were in their belief and expanded upon it. “John the Baptist” taught “repentance”, and he instructed people to “trust in and rely upon” the One who would follow Him which was Jesus. “John the Baptist” was known as the forerunner to Jesus Christ, and he paved the path for God's “Savior and Son” Jesus to come. “Paul” wanted the “disciples at Ephesus” to know about having faith in Jesus, and because He is the only One who is able to forgive their sins eternally and provide them with everlasting life, it was important for them to believe in Him. So it is with all who read these words. Jesus Christ came to be the “Savior and Lord” of the world, and all who believe in, rely upon and cling to Him will be granted everlasting life with God in Heaven. Let all who read these words believe in Jesus.
Next time Luke shares when the believers at Ephesus, “heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus”, 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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