SAUL’S CONVERSION

Newsletter 301 June 24, 2012
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Acts 9:10-20
King James Version (KJV)

In the last study we noted that Saul did not become a Christian on the road to Damascus. While he was blinded, and waiting in Damascus, God was already working upon him. Paul was praying to God, and certainly the Holy Spirit would have been working on his conscience. It was not that Saul did not know the message the Christians believed and were teaching. He already knew that, but the Spirit would have been bringing him to the conviction that he had been wrong. Jesus, who spoke to him as he traveled, really was the Son of God, and he had been persecuting the Way. He wasn’t serving God, he had been used of Satan. Today we find when, how, and what happened immediately afterwards. God sent a messenger, who would restore his eyesight. Perhaps not perfectly, for he prayed three times, we are told later, that the “thorn in his flesh” be removed. God didn’t remove it entirely. He gave him the strength to bear with it. He used a scribe to do his writing, and once at least added his note at the end as an assurance that it was truly his letter. We all have a “thorn” we would like removed, perhaps several. It is one of the ways that the Lord leads us. In my case, I preach, and teach, but I do not have an orator’s voice. When you are using one or two interpreters, you do not need to rely on a powerful voice, the interpreters will add the volume as they do instant translations.

A DISCIPLE NAMED ANANIAS


10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. We do not know much about this Ananias, One commentary says he was a leader in Damascus. He may have been, but the Scripture only says he was a disciple.

(Genesis 14:15, 2 Corinthians 11:32; Galatians 1:17, Acts 22:12, Acts 10:3, Acts 10:17, Acts 10:19, Acts 11:5, Acts 12:9, Acts 16:9, Acts 18:9)


GO TO THE HOUSE OF JUDAS IN THE STREET CALLED STRAIGHT


11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth.

I believe God does speak to us even today. Phyllis believes he told her when we met that I was the one. Her mother had told her to beware of sailors, but God overrode that warning. I probably would not have responded as I did had not I had a friend at college who was smitten with her sister and who had shown me their joint photo before we ever met. On a much later occasion, I totally believe that God spoke to me as I was praying privately and earnestly. What I was praying about came to be, not immediately, but in God’s timing, as it did with her. On a number of occasions God provided for our needs at times when the cash was really low, and that needed was really great. The Gospel Tract Centre buildings came at such a time as did printing equipment needs in similar fashion.

(Acts 9:30, Acts 11:25, Acts 21:39, Acts 22:3)

12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

HEAL HIS BLINDNESS


(Mark 5:23, Acts 6:6, Acts 9:17)

This was such a time for Ananias. Growing faith always seems to start with such a beginning. I remember when the growing need of the Lincoln Bible Institute, now known as the Lincoln Christian University, for buildings and space tested all our faiths. It seemed that a lodge owned orphanage in the city was the need, but God, knowing what lay ahead, did not lead there. Now, we just praise Him that He did not allow that. What problems He directed us away from! and, MY, how He has blessed.

13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

Saul’s reputation was known and Ananias was certainly hesitant about looking him up. Probably we all have faced such a test, and failed it. I know I have, and I am ashamed of my fear at the time.

(Acts 8:3, Acts 9:32, Acts 9:41, Acts 26:10, Romans 1:7, Romans 15:25,Romans 16:2, Romans 15:15, 1 Corinthians 1:2)

14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

A RELUCTANT EVANGELIST


(Acts 9:2, Acts 9:21, Acts 7:59)

15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

(Acts 13:2, Romans 1:1, Romans 9:23, Galatians 1:15, Ephesians 3:7, Acts 22:21, Acts 26:17, Romans 1:5, Romans 11:13, Galatians 1:16, Galatians 2:7, Ephesians 3:1, Ephesians 3:8, 1 Timothy 2:7, 2 Timothy 4:17, Acts 25:22, Acts 26:1, Acts 26:32, 2 Timothy 4:17)

16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

(Acts 20:23, Acts 21:4, Acts 21:11, Acts 21:13, 2 Corinthians 6:4, 2 Corinthians 11:23-27, 1 Thessalonians 3:3)

17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

Mark 5:23, Acts 6:6, Acts 9:12, Acts 22:13, Acts 2:4)

HE BECAME A CHRISTIAN!


Notice that “be filled with the Holy Ghost.:”

18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

The return of his eyesight, was more than physical, it was also proof that this was the answer to his prayers. Saul was a man of action, and his first reaction was as those at Pentecost had cried out, Acts 2:37, “What shall we do?” Repentance, and faith demand action, and that is what happened, Like those at Pentecost, he was baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38) We don’t know how long he stayed in Damascus, but for “certain days” he preached the message which head been trying to destroy before! He was a changed man., and he was preaching at the very places he had letters from the High Priest asking them to aid him to do the very opposite. Oh, that all Christians would be firm in that truth. Jesus is the Christ the Son of God!

19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

(Acts 26:20, Acts 9:26, Acts 9:38, Acts 11:26)

20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

(Acts 13:5, Acts 13:14, Acts 14:1, Acts 16:13, Acts 17:2, Acts 17:10, Acts 18:4, Acts 18:19, Acts 19:8, Matthew 4:3, Acts9:22, Acts 13:33)

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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2012

JUNE

24th. Sunday – 1 Kings 13, Acts 16:19-40, Psalm 78:1-8
25th. Monday – 1 Kings 14, 15, Acts 17, Proverbs 15:19-26
26th. Tuesday - 1 Kings 16, 17, Acts 18, Psalm 78:9-20
27th. Wednesday - 1 Kings 18, Acts 19:1-20, Psalm 78:21-30
28th. Thursday - 1 Kings 19:1-20:21, Acts 19:21-41, Psalm 78:31-39
29th. Friday – 1 Kings 20:22-21:29, Acts 20, Proverbs 15:27-33
30th. Saturday - 1 Kings 22, Acts 21:1-16, Psalm 78:40-55

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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow;” Acts 20:7
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Yoke Joke
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An old man limped into the doctor's office and said, "Doctor, my knee hurts so bad, I can hardly walk!"

The doctor slowly eyed him from head to toe, paused and then said, "Sir, how old are you?"

"I'm 98," the man announced proudly.

The doctor just sighed, and looked at him again. Finally he said, "Sir, I'm sorry. I mean, just look at you. You are almost one hundred years old, and you're complaining that your knee hurts? Well, what did you expect?"

The old man said, "Well, my other knee is 98 years old too, and it doesn't hurt!"

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