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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
Having reached Acts Chapter 21 and verse 40, we have been reading and studying that section where Paul is rescued from that wild mob in the Temple in Jerusalem, and he is so concerned for them, that he asks to speak to these religious critics and persecutors. He gives his testimony - so clearly - so specifically. Paul is clear about what happened to him. He has clear convictions.
It is interesting to link this with Isaiah's testimony in Isaiah Chapter 6. He too has clear convictions! Have you? Both speak about it being all so very personal, giving a firsthand account.
Paul tells of his experience of meeting Jesus. 'I am a Jew - one of you - having sat under Professor Gamaliel.' He speaks about having attempted to wipe out every disciple of Jesus Christ. That had been his goal - his aim in life. He gives us these details which remained clear in his mind. He never forgot what was vitally important.
Some people grow out of giving their testimony. Paul never did.
Ananias is sent by Jesus to visit him and minister to him. So many things need to be dealt with - his sight - his baptism. Here, Ananias tells him what he has to do. Ananias regarded these matters as being fairly urgent. Paul gets his past buried, and his guilty conscience cleansed, and he arises from the water a new man - a new creation.
His being filled with the Holy Spirit is recorded, and something of how Jesus was going to use him over these next 25 years.
This solid sound foundation is laid during these first 72 hours. It is vital to lay a sound biblical foundation if we today are going to exercise the type of ministry to which Jesus Christ calls us.
Ananias then drops out of the picture, but he was so willing to be used by Jesus. God sent someone just when Paul needed someone - a trusted friend - a concerned compassionate and able brother.
Would you be willing to go and minister to someone like Saul of Tarsus - a man with his reputation? How willing would you be to receive ministry from someone you barely knew? These can be very real questions for each of us. They are certainly pertinent and relevant in the Scriptures.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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