The beloved physician Luke wrote how Paul told King Agrippa, “I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers. Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?”, and in chapter twenty-six and verse nine of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul told King Agrippa how he thought, “to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth” where we read:
I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
The verse begins, “I verily thought with myself, ...” Luke began with the words, “I verily thought” which means “I, Paul, therefore, accordingly and consequently supposed, accounted and was of the opinion that truly, certainly, surely and indeed” “with myself” or “alongside my own self” the following. Luke shared how “Paul” told “king Agrippa” that he was “certain” within his own self that he should take the following action.
The verse continues, “... that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.” Luke added the words, “that I ought to do” which means “that it was necessary, needful and required that I, Paul, should perform, make ready and produce” “many things contrary” or “a large and abundant number of acts and deeds over against, opposite, hostile and antagonistic” “to the name of Jesus” which means “toward everything which the name covers, everything the thoughts or feelings which are aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing and remembering belonging to Jesus whose name means Jehovah is Salvation and is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate” “of Nazareth” or “from the village or town of Nazareth whose name means one separated”. Luke shared how “Paul” told “king Agrippa” that he believed he should commit acts and deeds that were in direct opposition to “Jesus of Nazareth's” “name”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” openly shared with “king Agrippa” about his total objection to the “name” of “Jesus”. He was so opposed to “Jesus” and His works, that “Paul” committed acts and deeds against anyone who believed and trusted in Him. This is the testimony of a miracle of God who was able to change “Paul” from opposing “Jesus” to sharing Him with whoever would listen. God is able to save the most vile of sinners, and when they believe and trust in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, He can turn them from those who contend against to those who promote the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ His Son. Let all who read these words consider the miracle and change within “Paul” and yield themselves to Jesus Christ who will forgive their sins, grant them eternal life and alter their lives to be for Him rather than against Him.
Next time Luke shares how Paul tells King Agrippa, “many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priest”, 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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