"Saul spent several days with the
disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the
synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard
him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem
among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as
prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more
powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the
Christ." Acts 9:19-22
Saul had just been converted to Jesus. That conversion
experience is one of the most exciting series of events in the first half of
Acts 19. In the verses above, his life is
changed. He is associating with the disciples. He is preaching in the
synagogues. He is sharing the good news
about Jesus.
Everyone that heard Saul speak about Jesus became somewhat
perplexed. Saul had been the man
stirring up all the trouble for Christians. He wanted them all dead or
imprisoned. That was his intended purpose in traveling to Damascus. Now we read
of his new birth and his growth and power in proving that Jesus is the Christ,
the Son of God.
Isn't it amazing the way God works? He actually takes the strongest and most
powerful enemy of the cross, and turns him into the strongest and most powerful
messenger of the gospel. What a change!
This is Saul, that we come to know as the Apostle Paul, letter writer to
churches, servant for the cause of Christ, diligent laborer for Christianity.
God is longing to make changes in your life too. The power
of the cross can make a huge difference in you, just like it did it Saul. Your
past is just that.....the past. In spite
of all that, God wants to be in a loving and forgiving relationship with you,
and watch you grow strong and powerful in his service.
You think your friends will be baffled? Probably no more baffled than those Jews
living in Damascus, when they heard Saul
"proving that Jesus is the Christ. "
<ronbwriting@yahoo.com>
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