Luke the beloved physician wrote as Paul was making his defense before King Agrippa, he told him, “I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision. But showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me”, and in chapter twenty-six and verse twenty-two of the book of Acts Luke shared Paul told King Agrippa, “having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day” where we read:
Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
The verse begins, “Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, ...” Luke began with the word, “having therefore” which means “reaching, happening and attaining then, wherefore, consequently and on this account” “obtained help of God” or “received, held, owned and possessed aid and assistance belonging to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”, “I continue unto this day” which means “I, Paul, stand, put, set and place until this sunrise to sunset”, “witnessing both to small and great” or “testifying, affirming and bearing record not only to people who are less in rank of influence, but also to people who are abundant in influence, authority and power”. Luke shared how “Paul” told “king Agrippa” that he received “God's” assistance when he was captured which allowed him to continue to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with people who had little influence and authority and with people who were abundant in power even like he was speaking to “king Agrippa”.
The verse goes on to say, “... saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:” Luke continued with the words, “saying none other things” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming no other words and ideas” “than those which the prophets” or “except the words and ideas that the ones who were moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organs or spokesmen who solemnly declared to men what they had received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation” “and Moses” whose name means “drawing out” and was “the legislator of the Jewish people and in a certain sense the founder of the Jewish religion” “did say should come” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed was to be about, intended and of a mind to appear”. Luke shared how “Paul” told “king Agrippa” that he did not declare anything other than the events that both the “prophets” and “Moses” said would appear.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” told “king Agrippa” that God was with him as he shared the gospel of Jesus Christ which was spoken of in advance by both the “prophets” and “Moses”. “Paul” knew the scriptures, and because he was well aware of the words of “Moses” and “the prophets”, he employed their prophesies concerning the coming of the Messiah Jesus. God's plan of redemption for mankind began when Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, and because they would live without him for all eternity, God sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross to pay for their sins. Anyone who believes and trusts in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. Let all who read these words yield to Him.
Next time Luke shares how Paul tells King Agrippa, “that Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead”, 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