Series: The Word
Acts 8:3 ESV
Acts 9:1-9 ESV
Acts 9:10-12 (Ananias has a vision)
Acts 9:13-19 ESV
Philippians 3:5-8 ESV
Galatians 4:4-5 ESV
The Apostle Paul was very clear when he wrote about redemption.
When we read Paul’s works it’s helpful to remember his background and his contribution to early Christianity. Paul was born in Tarsus (now in Turkey) possible around 4 B.C.E. He was Hebrew and like all Hebrew boys he was educated in Rabbinical school like all Jewish boys.
The boys who did well stayed in school and those who did not excel learned the trade of their father. It makes sense that at the time boys would have a trade if it turned out that school was not their best option. Paul also had a trade as he learned to be a tent maker. However, Paul excelled and he became a Pharisee.
We know from Acts 8:3 more about Saul the Pharisee of Tarsus, later called Paul: “Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.”
Saul of Tarsus made it his personal mission in life to put a stop to the movement of the people of the way of Jesus.
But then we learn from Acts 9:1-9,“But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.”
On the road to Damascus that day, a bright light appeared to Saul (Paul) and questioned him about why the Pharisee was persecuting HIS followers (The People of the Way). Basically Jesus asked Saul why he was persecuting Him (Jesus).
Moving forward, Jesus told Saul to go to the city and wait for further instructions.
Now, it’s more than interesting to note that the men who were with Saul did not see the bright light but they heard what was said. We do not know why they weren’t able to see the light. We do not know why they were able to hear what was said to Saul.
In Acts 9:10-12 about the same time a disciple at Damascus named Ananias received a vision from the Lord instructing him to go to Straight Street to find Saul who was expecting Ananias to come.
In my mind, Ananias must have been a very faithful servant because the Lord was so certain Ananias would listen to the vision and GO to find Saul that the Lord even told Saul the name of the person who would come.
Acts 9:13-19 we are told, “But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened.”
This man who had been persecutor of the people of the Way later wrote to the church at Philippi in Philippians 3:5-8 and told them he was “circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”
To say Saul the Pharisee and Hebrew scholar among Hebrews who initially made it his mission in life to persecute the people of the Way did an about face is an understatement. Saul, now called Paul lost everything he had known but he gained Jesus.
Of the 27 books in the New Testament, 13 were written by Paul. In Galatians 4:4-5 Paul wrote, “when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”
Saul the Pharisee was redeemed. He was no longer know as Saul, Persecutor. He was now Paul, redeemed.
…still today, even now, Jesus calls us by name and redeems us.
Spiritual Practice: Redeemed
Be Redeemed or remember the day when you were redeemed. If you do not remember, that’s okay, the Lord remembers. Ask Jesus to remind you.
In God, Deborah
Comments