“Now Saul was consenting to his (Stephen’s) death…As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women committing them to prison…Immediately there fell from his [Paul’s] eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. And when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Sual spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.” – Acts 8:1, 3; 9:18-20 (NKJV. Read Acts 8 and 9).
Paul, from persecutor to proclaimer, from adversary to apostle, from imprisoner of Christians to impassioned preacher. What a dramatic change God wrought in the life of Saul, better known as Paul the Apostle. We read with awe and rejoicing the amazing conversion of Saul, and how God worked in his life to bring the miracle of belief in the Lord Jesus Christ and Paul’s total commitment to the Lord’s cause.
We could say this was predestined—and it was. God knew from the foundation of the world that Paul would become His unparalleled witness to the Gentiles. But at the same time that God knew this, and was working out the details (some of which in retrospect, definitely seem to us to be contrary to the will of God), Saul had a choice. When he was blinded on the Damascus Road on his way to persecute more Christians, he could have chosen not to heed the Light that came to him, hear the Voice that called to him and said, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:4).
But Saul answered: “Who are you, Lord?” Notice Paul’s immediate recognition of someone Mighty and with great power to get his attention. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” (Acts 9:5).
Why such a dramatic conversion? Why a Light and Voice from heaven? Much has been written about Paul’s turning from persecutor of the church to outstanding preacher, proclaimer, missionary and writer. He called himself “a Jew of the Jews,” well-trained and well-grounded in Jewish law, prophecy, tradition and practice. He was as zealous in his persecution of the hated Christians as he was later in the bold proclamation of the Truth. His conversion is a grand testimony of the power of God to enter and change a life completely. That same power experienced by Paul is still at work today, converting anyone who will choose to turn from his/her old way of life to the new life offered by the Son of God. Selah.
We could say this was predestined—and it was. God knew from the foundation of the world that Paul would become His unparalleled witness to the Gentiles. But at the same time that God knew this, and was working out the details (some of which in retrospect, definitely seem to us to be contrary to the will of God), Saul had a choice. When he was blinded on the Damascus Road on his way to persecute more Christians, he could have chosen not to heed the Light that came to him, hear the Voice that called to him and said, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:4).
But Saul answered: “Who are you, Lord?” Notice Paul’s immediate recognition of someone Mighty and with great power to get his attention. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” (Acts 9:5).
Why such a dramatic conversion? Why a Light and Voice from heaven? Much has been written about Paul’s turning from persecutor of the church to outstanding preacher, proclaimer, missionary and writer. He called himself “a Jew of the Jews,” well-trained and well-grounded in Jewish law, prophecy, tradition and practice. He was as zealous in his persecution of the hated Christians as he was later in the bold proclamation of the Truth. His conversion is a grand testimony of the power of God to enter and change a life completely. That same power experienced by Paul is still at work today, converting anyone who will choose to turn from his/her old way of life to the new life offered by the Son of God. Selah.
c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Saturday, April 17, 2010
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