Then Saul, still
breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the
high priest 2 and asked letters from him
to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way,
whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and
suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.
4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul,
Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And
he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the
Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick
against the goads.” 6 So he, trembling
and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to
him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 And
the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no
one. 8 Then Saul arose from the ground,
and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and
brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was
three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 10 Now there was a certain disciple at
Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he
said, “Here I am, Lord.”11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street
called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of
Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12
And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand
on him, so that he might receive his sight.” 13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I
have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints
in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has
authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15 But the
Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before
Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.
16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s
sake.”17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands
on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road
as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the
Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell
from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he
arose and was baptized. 19 So when he
had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the
disciples at Damascus. 20 Immediately he preached the Christ[c] in the synagogues,
that He is the Son of God.21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this
not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come
here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief
priests?” 22 But Saul increased all the
more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that
this Jesus is the Christ. 23 Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to
kill him. 24 But their plot became known
to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. 25 Then the disciples took him by night and
let him down through the wall in a large basket. 26 And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he
tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not
believe that he was a disciple. 27 But
Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how
he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had
preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming
in and going out. 29 And he spoke boldly
in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they
attempted to kill him. 30 When the
brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to
Tarsus.31 Then the churches[d] throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had
peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort
of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.
We can learn from
this story that if our brother Saul who killed and continuously breathed
threats of violence upon our Jewish brothers and sisters and was changed. There
is hope for a non-believers. God states in scripture, there is no depth,
height, width or length that he will not go to, to bring His children we the
world home. But this can only happen with obedience and total belief that His
son came down and has been resurrected back upon His throne. I saw the light
come down on me at age 16. But blinded by my environment and believing I could
make my family rich with all the worldly potential that laid before me I abused
God’s gift. So I am now made to suffer more than I would if I’d just believed
and picked up the bible. Also understand by reading our bibles that the people
back then were doing some of the same things God ask us not to do today like
fearing and murdering. We have fortified ourselves behind expensive
automobiles, luxurious homes and huge office suites all protected by top
security systems and security themselves all our brothers and sisters. So we
are now locking ourselves out of the blessings. All the while living hopeless, daunting
in despair lives wondering what catastrophe lie wait tomorrow. Change your
ideas and thoughts about Jesus Christ and God. Then watch them change you!
Blessings to you all,
Vincent Young
Christian Analyst
No comments:
Post a Comment