Today’s passage: Acts 9:1-22
Helpful thoughts:
- Saul was not softening to Christianity over time. His hatred and efforts against it were only growing.
- Saul understood that early persecution had sparked the first missionary movements. He was seeking to bring missions to an end. God had other plans.
- Saul became a follower of Jesus Christ because he was chosen (Verse 15).
- When someone persecutes the church, they are persecuting Jesus Himself.
- Paul immediately began calling Christ, “Lord” in verse 6 and he began following the Lord through obedience to baptism and in becoming a missionary. He began preaching immediately in the synagogue right there in Damascus, the Christ “He is the Son of God.”
Questions to consider:
- Why is it important to know where Saul’s heart and mind were concerning Jesus and the Christians when he started on this journey?
- We can see the evidence of change in Saul after his conversion. But how was Ananias’ faith evidenced as well? What fears did he overcome to obey the Lord?
- God has commanded us to share the good news about Jesus, and just like Paul we can give proof that Jesus is the Son of God, but whose power makes a sinner call Jesus his Lord? How does this truth encourage you to go share with others? How does this truth help you to think about the “likelihood” that someone will repent? Why does this truth encourage us to pray for the salvation of the lost?