The beloved physician Luke wrote while he, “Paul” and their traveling companions spent time in “Caesarea”, “Paul” was warned that he should not go to Jerusalem. Then Luke shared how, “we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem. There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge. And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse eighteen of the book of Acts Luke shared, “the day following Paul went in with us unto James” where we read:
And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.
The verse begins, “And the day following Paul went in with us unto James;” Luke began with the words, “and the day following” which means “and the sunrise to sunset after the brethren in Jerusalem received him, Paul and the men with them” “Paul” whose name means “small or little” “went in with us” or “entered and came forth alongside Luke and the men with them” “unto James” which means “to James whose name means supplanter and was the only disciple at that time living in Jerusalem”. Luke shared how he, Paul and the men traveling with them went to see “James” the day after they arrived in “Jerusalem”.
The verse continues, “... and all the elders were present.” Luke added the words, “and all the elders” which means “and each, every, the whole and everyone of the senior disciples, overseers, bishops or presbyters” “were present” or “came near or appeared publicly”. Luke shared how every one of the “senior overseers” in “Jerusalem” were in attendance when they met “James”.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how he, “Paul” and the men traveling with them went to see “James”, who was the head of the church in “Jerusalem”, on the day after they arrived. “Paul” wanted to meet with the original church members, and this would be another opportunity to reunite with fellow believers after traveling for such a long time. “Paul” and those with him were following “God's” plan and purpose to share His “gospel” with people everywhere, and because God loves people, He continues to share His “good news” of salvation to this day. Anyone who surrenders their life to God's Son Jesus Christ will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life. They become a part of His family, the church, and they will experience times when they spread His “good news” to others and reunite with fellow believers according to Him plan.
Next time Luke shares what happened, “when he had saluted 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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