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Book of Acts - Chapter 11 - Verse 28

11:28
And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.

Meaning

In this verse from the book of Acts, we are introduced to a man named Agabus who is said to have received a prophecy from the Holy Spirit regarding a great famine that would occur during the reign of Claudius Caesar. This prophetic announcement serves as a demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit and the reliability of prophetic messages in the early Christian community. The mention of a global famine emphasizes the widespread impact of this event, highlighting the potential consequences of such a catastrophic event on people across different regions. The fact that this prophecy came to pass during the time of Claudius Caesar further adds credibility to the biblical account, showing the fulfillment of this specific prophecy as a validation of the divine inspiration behind it. Overall, this verse showcases the importance of listening to and discerning spiritual messages, as well as the significance of prophecy in the history of Christianity.

Theological Overview

Agabus, a prophet mentioned in the Book of Acts, played a significant role in the early Christian community. In this particular verse, Agabus predicts a severe famine that would affect the entire world during the reign of Claudius Caesar. The theological interpretation of this prophecy is that it demonstrates the power of God to reveal future events through His chosen messengers. Agabus, moved by the Holy Spirit, accurately foretold the coming famine, which ultimately came to pass. This event serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over all creation and His ability to communicate His plans to His people. The word "dearth" in this context refers to a scarcity or lack of food, emphasizing the severity of the famine that Agabus predicted. By studying the historical context and linguistic nuances of the verse, we gain a deeper understanding of the impact of Agabus' prophecy and the fulfillment of God's divine plan.

American Standard Version

And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be a great famine over all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius.
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