Wednesday, October 4, 2023
The next stop after leaving Tyre was Ptolemais, where [Paul and his companions] greeted the brothers and sisters and stayed for one day. The next day we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the Evangelist, one of the seven men who had been chosen to distribute food. He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy.
Paul and his team of Silas, Timothy, and Luke were joined by other believers from the Gentile provinces as they traveled to Jerusalem with a special gift for the poor (Acts 20:4, 24:17). This entourage of believers stayed with Philip, one of the original seven who had successfully helped alleviate a food crisis among Greek-speaking widows in Jerusalem during the early days of the church (Acts 6:1-7). With a backdrop of helping those in need, Luke once again emphasized the importance of women. Philip's daughters prophesied before Paul and his entourage.* Peter's sermon on Pentecost had emphasized that both men and women would prophesy in the last days with the coming of the Spirit (Acts 2:14-18; cf. 1 Corinthians 11:4-5). Luke emphasized the importance of women in many ways in his story of Jesus and the early church in Luke and Acts. Their role in God's plan of salvation history was crucial to Luke's account.** Women must also be an essential part of the church today, both publicly and privately, if we are to impact the world as the early church did.
* Most translations have "daughters who prophesied," which fits the use of the Greek verb better in this context (for example, Acts 21:9 ESV, Acts 21:9 NIV).
** See our Related Scripture Readings for some examples.
Father, I pray that we will value women in your church today as Jesus and the early church did. Thank you for blessing us with talented, godly, and servant-hearted women to bless your people and grow your Kingdom. I thank you for those women in my life who helped shape my character, teach me about Jesus, and give me examples of courage and strength as well as tenderness and grace. In Jesus' name, I thank you. Amen.
![Illustration of Acts 21:7-9 NLT — The next stop after leaving Tyre was Ptolemais, where [Paul and his companions] greeted the brothers and sisters and stayed for one day. The next day we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the Evangelist, one of the seven men who had been chosen to distribute food. He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy.](https://img.heartlight.org/overlazy/creations/23807.jpg "Illustration of Acts 21:7-9 NLT — The next stop after leaving Tyre was Ptolemais, where [Paul and his companions] greeted the brothers and sisters and stayed for one day. The next day we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the Evangelist, one of the seven men who had been chosen to distribute food. He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy.")
Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.
Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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