But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest Acts 9:1 WEB
The first verse of chapter nine in the Book of the Acts relates the hatred of Saul for the disciples of the Lord. Jesus prepared his disciples for the difficulties they would encounter. Christ said in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. NIV” In addition, scripture teaches that God fights for us. As we read in Exodus 14:14,”The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. NIV” In this case, Christ intervened to stop the threats against his followers by transforming Saul the persecutor into Paul the apostle.
What follows is likely the most famous conversion in the history of Christianity. First, Saul asked the high priest for letters allowing him to bring faithful Christians to Jerusalem bound and arrested. But on the road to Damascus, he encountered a bright light that blinded him. Then, he heard a voice asking in Acts 1:4, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? WEB” Saul’s encounter with Jesus Christ marks the beginning of the most effective evangelism recorded in the New Testament.
We Are in a Spiritual War
After recovering from his blindness, Saul, who became known as Paul, was transformed from the greatest persecutor of the disciples of the Lord to the greatest human advocate of the good news of Jesus Christ. The trouble and persecution Christians suffered at the hands of men like Saul, Paul himself endured as he came to know the truth of God’s forgiveness and the spiritual war that afflicts mankind.
Our greatest opposition does not come from human objections or petty rivalries. Rather, the opposition to the good news of salvation is a matter of spiritual significance. As Paul writes in Epheshians 6:12, “For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. WEB”
The Truth of the Gospel
From persecutor to another persecuted member among the disciples of the Lord, Saul’s conversion is an example of the life changing power of Jesus Christ. His hatred turned to love. His strong opposition transformed into a willingness to endure great difficulty for the sake of sharing the truth of the gospel.
The zeal with which Saul persecuted the disciples of the Lord is the same passion he displayed in teaching the transformative power of Christ. Although he lost his life in service of the kingdom, Paul’s contribution to the growth of the early church is undeniable. Paul’s transformation from hatefully opposing Christ to obediently following the command Jesus gave to love one another is an inspiration to the faithful who read his epistles.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the truth of your holy world. Thank you for the faithful men and women who share the truth of the gospel message. Give me wisdom to share the truth with the world. Help me to live in a way that is pleasing to you. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Repent and Believe
