Luke the beloved physician wrote how Claudius Lysias wrote a letter to the governor Felix concerning Paul the apostle, and afterwards soldiers and horsemen, “took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris. On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle. Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse thirty-four of the book of Acts Luke shared, “when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was” where we read:
And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was.
And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;
The verse begins, “And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was.” Luke began with the words, “and when the governor” which means “and at the time and moment the leader, guide, ruler, prefect, president, chief, commander or sovereign, Felix” “had read the letter” or “acknowledged and knew accurately the epistle or written message”, “he asked of what province he was” which means “he, Felix the governor, questioned concerning the region subject to a prefect Paul was from”. Luke shared how “Felix the governor” perused and acknowledged the message from “Claudius Lysias” and questioned to which region “Paul” belonged.
The verse continues, “And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;” Luke added the words, “and when he understood” which means “and at the time and moment Felix the governor perceived and ascertained by inquiry” “that he was of Cilicia” or “that Paul was from Cilicia which means the land of Celix and was a maritime province in the southeast of Asia Minor, boarding on Pamphylia in the west, Lycaonia and Cappadocia in the north and Syria in the east. Its capital, Tarsus, was the birth place of Paul” the did the following. Luke shared at the time “Felix the governor” ascertained that “Paul” was from “Cilicia”, he did what is found in our next verse.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Felix the governor” examined the “message” from “Claudius Lysias” and when he understood why “Paul” was being brought to him, He desired to know what “region” “Paul” was from. We shall see what “Felix” does in our next verse, but for now, let us be aware that each of these steps were according to God's plan and purpose to spread His gospel of salvation through His Son Jesus throughout the world. “Paul” was to be examined, but because God wants everyone to have a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, we shall discover this was just another opportunity for people to receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Let all who read these words see this story as their opportunity to receive Jesus as well, and when they do, let them “come to Jesus” who will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life in Heaven.
Next time Luke shares how Felix says, “I will hear you, said he, when your accusers are also come”, 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".
No comments:
Post a Comment