The beloved physician Luke shared how “Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks”, and in chapter eighteen and verse five of the book of Acts Luke shared what happened, “when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia” where we read:
And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit,
and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.
The verse reads, “And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, ...”: Luke began with the words, “and when Silas” which means “and at the time and moment Silas whose name means woody and was a Roman citizen and the companion of the apostle Paul on several of his missionary journeys” “and Timotheus” or “and Timothy whose name means honoring God and was a resident of Lystra, apparently, whose father was a Greek and mother a Jewess; he was Paul's traveling companion and fellow laborer” “were come from Macedonia” which means “arose and appeared from Macedonia whose name means extended land and was a country bounded on the south by Thessaly and Epirus, on the east by Thrace and the Aegean Sea, on the west by Illyria, and on the North by Dardania and Moesia”, “Paul was pressed” or “Paul, whose name means small or little, was constrained, compelled, distressed and afflicted” “in the spirit” which means “within his heart, soul and mind”. Luke shared how “Paul” was “compelled” within his heart, mind and soul to continue sharing God's “gospel” with others.
The verse goes on to say, “... and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.” Luke continued with the words, “and testified” which is the Greek word “diamartyromai” that means “earnestly or religiously to charge, attest and solemnly affirm” “to the Jews” which means “toward the people of the Jewish nation by birth, origin or religion” “that Jesus” or “that Jesus whose name means Jehovah is Salvation and is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate” “was Christ” which means “was in fact and indeed the anointed One and Messiah of God”. Luke shared how “Paul” was “driven and constrained” to “earnestly and solemnly affirm” that “Jesus” is God's “Christ and Messiah”. .
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Silas and Timothy” arrived in Corinth where “Paul” was sharing the gospel, and after their arrival, he became even more driven to share with the “Jewish people” about Jesus being the “anointed One” of God. “Paul” earnestly believed people needed “salvation” through Jesus Christ, and the only way for them to be redeemed and forgiven for their sins was to believe and trust in Him. The “eternal lives” of the “Jewish people” to whom “Paul” spoke was at stake, and “Paul” felt “compelled within his spirit” to share with them. Heaven, after a person dies is real, however, so is “Hell”. Jesus said, “The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looks not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (See Matthew 24:50-51), and He desires that no one go there. Anyone who receives Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” will escape these things because they have been forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. “Paul” knew this, and the idea of his people the “Jews” being lost forever drove him to tell them about Jesus. Perhaps, those reading these words will carefully consider these things as well and be compelled to believe and tell others about Jesus like “Paul”.
Next time Luke shares what happened when the Jews, “opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment”, 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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