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Paul, Peerless Apostle and Prophet (2 of 15)

Focus Text: Acts 9.1-18

Saul was a man of faith and he also was a man who demanded convincing evidence; these two are not in opposition to one another as some suppose. Saul was a logician of sorts and he acted in harmony with the laws of right thinking. Perhaps he had never truly examined the evidence supporting the case for Jesus as Messiah; whatever the reason, he certainly was not a believer; in fact, Saul was convinced that Jesus was an impostor!

However, Saul was not destined to a life of unbelief. God apparently knew Saul’s heart and that it was a good and honest heart. While en route to Damascus, Saul saw the evidence that was required to move him from the category of unbeliever into the realm of the believers. Luke recorded the story like this: “As he [Saul] journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ And he said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ Then the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ So he, trembling and astonished, said, ‘Lord, what do You want me to do?’ Then the Lord said to him, ‘Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’” (Acts 9.3-6).

The point to be made here relative to Saul’s character is seen in his response to the events just cited. He could have chosen to react in many different ways: he could have denied the validity of the evidence. He could have continued to follow the traditions of his fathers and rejected Christ. He could have postponed his decision under the guise of needing more evidence. However, the peerless “apostle to be” acted in the only way he could and still remain true to his character. The evidence was compelling and only one conclusion could be reached while continuing to maintain a good conscience. Saul made the right choice when he said, “What do You want me to do?”

Think of all the things that Saul counted as rubbish that he might gain Christ; he was “…circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.” (Philippians 3.5-6). Yet, it took him only a split second to make his decision; Saul’s absolute dedication to doing what he believed to be right compelled him to comply with the Lord’s command to go into the city in order that he might be told what he must do.

Think of what Saul would have missed had he sold out to tradition! Additionally, think what we would have lost had Saul made the wrong choice when he came face to face with the truth. Almost half of the New Testament books were later penned by this man of unwavering dedication to truth! Surely God would have found a way to reveal the truths contained in Paul’s epistles, but what would the history of the New Testament church be should Saul’s example be removed from our body of knowledge? Saul - marvelous example of being true to one’s self by being true to the truth!

Questions:

1. What did the Lord say Saul was doing to Him? How was Saul doing what the Lord charged?

2. Did Jesus tell Saul what to do to be saved? If not, who was to tell him and where was he to be told?

3. What happened to Saul’s eyesight after his encounter with Jesus?

4. Considering Philippians 3.1-6, of what could Saul have gloried “in the flesh?” In what did he glory? To what end did he make this choice?

"'Christ in You...'" from Dale Krebbs

Longing For God