Definition: And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.
Explanation: Okay, letβs break down that verse from Acts 9:35 together. It's a really important and moving passage about someone who experienced a profound transformation. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: Jesus was preaching: In the early days of Christianity, Jesus had already been preaching and healing people. A traveler arrived: A man named Saul (later known as Paul) traveled to Lydda β a city in Israel β and saw Jesus preaching. He turned away: Instead of listening to Jesusβ message or worshipping him, Saul began to look away and even started to actively avoid the people he was supposed to be helping. He felt uncomfortable with the presence of Jesus. What happened next? The crowd witnessed: The people in Lydda and Saron β a city near Jerusalem β saw this man turning away. They turned to God: As they watched, they began to turn their attention away from Saul and towards the Lord β which is God. They were seeking something more than just Saul himself. So, in essence, the verse means: "Seeing Jesus' message and realizing his power, the people in Lydda and Saron turned away from their old ways and began to worship God." The Significance: This story is a cornerstone of how Christianity began. It shows that even someone who initially rejected Jesus could be changed by his teachings and led them to turn towards God. It's a powerful reminder that faith and repentance can lead to profound change. --- Do you want me to explain any part of this verse in more detail, or would you like me to talk about its historical context? For example, we could discuss: The significance of Lydda and Saron as a place for early Christian beginnings. What it means to βturn to the Lordβ in the context of faith.