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by Sandy Shaw
In Acts 22, where Paul gives his testimony before a howling mob, God is using this situation to teach us to use each opportunity with which we are presented. These opportunities may not always be in a pulpit, or quiet Bible Study setting, or a pleasant conversation in someone's home!
God had been saying something to this previously zealous and deeply religious man, and sometimes it is hard even for God to get through to religious people. But some 25 years later, Paul never forgot that day. He had done a lot during these past 25 years, but he never forgot that day when it all begun - when he was 'born again' into the kingdom of God.
Some people lose their first love. They grow out of, or move away from, what might be regarded as a simple or even simplistic experience. Paul never did.
We all need to have a testimony of meeting Jesus. The details may be very different, but it has to be just as real, and it has to be just as lasting. A man may not meet Jesus Christ they same way as Paul did, but you must meet Him in some way, and surrender to Him.
Verse 10. What shall I do Lord? There are times when we have to ask that question too. It is not an unusual question. It is not a strange question. It does not reveal a lack of faith, or unbelief. It is just a very sensible normal question.
"Get up and go into Damascus." We may not always receive an answer quite so quickly.
Saul (as he was then called) saw that he had been in the wrong. There are times when God reveals ourselves to ourselves, and that is not always a pretty sight.
Remember this testimony is being shared outside the army barracks beside the Temple in Jerusalem - and the people are listening attentively. He has grabbed the attention of his listeners.
Paul continues, and tells how he was blinded, and his companions had to lead him into Damascus. This is the man who was going to ride into Damascus with his letters of authority from the Jerusalem hierarchy - and arrest and drag off every person who believed in Jesus Christ. We know that Paul spends these next three days in Prayer and Fasting. Paul lays a good foundation. God sends Ananias to minister to him and this new friend comes to the place where Paul is praying. Paul's eyes are healed.
Verse 14. Paul is to have a prophetic ministry, as well as preaching the Gospel and teaching disciples. These can be three very distinct activities.
Verse 15. "You will be a witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. What are you waiting for? Get up - be baptised - and wash away your sins - calling on His Name. You wanted to know what to do - before you think of anything else - get baptised." The foundation is laid during these first 3 days - the first 72 hours - and 25 years later, Paul has not modified, altered, edited, or moved away from this very real experience.
If you have met the living Jesus, never water down or dilute what was real, to suit the situation or circumstances, but stick to what actually happened.
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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