Luke the beloved physician wrote how Paul and the men with him, “sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days”, and in chapter twenty and verse seven of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “Paul preached … and continued his speech until midnight” where we read:
And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
The verse begins, “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, ...” Luke began with the words, “and upon the first day of the week” which means “and on the beginning day of the seven day week which is Sunday”, “when the disciples” or “at the time and moment the students, pupils and attendants of Jesus” “came together” which means “gathered and assembled with one another” “to break bread” or “to receive communion, the Lord's supper or the Eucharist” the following occurred. Luke shared how “the disciples” of Jesus who were with “Paul” assembled to have “Communion” with one another and the following happened.
The verse goes on to say, “... Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.” Luke continued with the words, “Paul preached unto them” which means “Paul, whose name means small or little, held discourse with, conversed, discussed and reasoned with the fellow disciples”, “ready to depart on the morrow” or “intending, having in mind and at the point of leaving, separating and going forth from that place the next day”; “and continued his speech” which means “and extended, stretched out and prolonged his, Paul's, discourse, speaking, instruction and narration” “until midnight” or “to the midpoint of the nighttime”. Luke shared how “Paul” began to speak and give instructions to his fellow disciples because he knew he was leaving them the next day. He continued to speak to them until the “midnight” hour.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” and the “disciples” who accompanied him gathered together to receive “the Lord's supper, Communion or the Eucharist”, and “Paul” began to speak with them at this time. He gave them instructions and teachings until “midnight” because he knew he would be leaving them the next day. This was quite the long sermon. We shall see what happens during “Paul's” message in our next verses, but let us understand that “Paul” was not only motivated to share the “good news” of Jesus Christ, but also to help believers in Him to continue in their knowledge of the Lord after they believe. God loves people, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with them through His Son Jesus. Those who yield themselves to Jesus will begin their relationship with God and continue to grow in “grace and the knowledge” of Him.
Next time Luke shares how, “there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together”, 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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