A C T S  O F  T H E   A P OS T L ES , 9 V 1-32

 

This passage tells the story of the greatest conversion in Christian history

The writer of this story was the friend of Paul Luke, by profession s a doctor who travelled with Paul, and wrote his own Gospel.

The passage begins with Paul, once a Pharisee, asking the Chief Priest for authority to travel to Damascus to kill followers of Christ. Paul believed that he was serving God by persecuting Christians, and had been arresting followers of the Lord to kill or detain.

He began the journey on the road to Damascus when he was struck by a flash of lightning which blinded him and caused him to fall to the ground,  He heard a voice saying why are you persecuting me Paul?  He answered, who are you Lord? The answer was,  Jesus, the One you are persecuting, Now get up and Go into the city and you will be told what to do.

There was a believer in Damascus named Ananias,  The Lord spoke to him in a vision telling him to go to Straight Street , where he would meet Paul who was praying to Jesus at this time,  Ananias was shocked to hear what Jesus was asking him to do, for everybody knew and feared Paul, The Lord told Ananias, that Paul had been chosen to take the message to the Gentiles as well as the people of Israel, and would suffer for doing so. Ananias did as he was bid and met Paul.  The eyes of Paul were opened allowing him to gain his sight, and was given some food. Paul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days and started to preach about Jesus in the Synagogues, saying Jesus was the Son of God

The people who heard him where amazed and wondered how this man who devastated followers in Jerusalem, and led the priests away in chains

Paul’s preaching became more powerful telling that Jesus was the Messiah.  When he went to Jerusalem, all were afraid of him. Then Barnabas took Paul to meet the other Apostles, telling them how the Lord had acted in the conversion

Paul stayed preaching powerfully about the Lord, but some Greek Jews tried to murder Paul.  In view of this, the believers sent Paul away to his own town in Caesarea, and he preached in Galilee.  Filled with the Holy Spirit, the numbers of those who accepted him grew, and he began to heal.

Paul went on to become one of the greatest missionaries of fall time, writing eleven Letters I the New Testament, which are as relevant today as they were when written.  His Letter to the Romans has been called by distinguished men of God the highest rated writing of Theology.

Paul was a dedicated Apostle for Jesus Christ  In all the chances and change of life, Paul had one concern, to show himself a sincere and profitable Minister of Jesus Christ.

One of his glorious efforts was to be an ambassador for Christ, for the work of the Church.  He sought to bring to people the offer and conditions  of God, by which they can become citizens of the Kingdom of God, and members of God’s family.  Such was the responsibility of an ambassador.

An ambassador speaks for his country, and when he does so, it is the voice of his country, speaking the message and decision and policy which he conveys.

A Christian, speaks for Christian, the decisions and policy, and counsels of the world; he must be the voice which brings the message and the word of Christ to the human situation.

There is honor in the ambassadors hands, and his voice is listened to, and his deeds watched.  He has the responsibility of the ambassador to commend his country to the men to whom he is sent.  By his every word, and action, will he portray more or less the Church he represents.

We should note Paul’s message.  Be reconciled to God.  The Bible never speaks of God being reconciled to men.  The whole process of salvation takes its beginnings from God.  It was because God so loved the world He sent His Son.  It is not that God was ever estranged form men, but that men were estranged from God. God does not create barriers.

 

We give thanks to God for His Holy Hospel and Praise The Lord Jesus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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