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by Sandy Shaw
In Acts 22 when Paul takes time to relate his testimony, as to what happened when he first met the risen and living Lord Jesus Christ. He remembers how Ananias ministered to him and befriended him and did what had to be done to ensure that he was fully and adequately born again. Then Ananias drops out of the picture. Ananias was so willing to be used by Jesus when Jesus explained the exact situation as Saul of Tarsus is being called and chosen, and Ananias plays a highly significant role.
What a calling. If it had been left to human choice Paul would never have been an apostle. Would any man have chosen this man? With his obvious background what man would have dared appoint this man?
Verses 19,20. This is where we discover how important Stephen's prayer was. Luke records all this faithfully. God ensures that important facts are included in His Holy Word - time and time again. Never omit important matters.
We are seeing here that the Church of Jesus Christ was not just some new fanatical sect. This is the main thing that the Living God was doing in the world - to have a band of men and women who themselves were new, renewed and renewable. The Church of Jesus Christ continues to remain the main channel through which our living God works.
Paul then tells the listening crowd about his experiences back in Jerusalem - verse 17. There was a day when something happened to me when I was praying in the Temple. Remember, that one of the accusations was that he was 'against this place' - the Temple. Paul had this vision and saw the Lord speaking. "Quick - leave Jerusalem immediately - because they will not accept your testimony about ME."
Paul speaks again here about how bad he had been - how terrible - how wicked. This is what I did. I was the one who gave the signal for that other mob to kill Stephen. This crowd would know what he meant. Stephen was the first man to die for his faith in Jesus Christ. I was responsible for what happened! But God forgave me.
Then Jesus said to me - "Go I will send you far away to the Gentiles." And as soon as he said Gentiles he lost his audience. There are occasions when you only need to use one word and people will walk away from you and will not come back. They will depart from you, shun you, and perhaps attack you.
What he said had hurt, and this was part of his testimony. Sometimes in the Name of Jesus, things have to be said which might hurt certain folks. We ought never to say anything deliberately which would hurt or wound or offend or upset. There is no need to - what will be said on certain occasions will sting people's sinful consciences and challenge hard hearts. The Holy Spirit does not make people feel guilty, but He does convict of sin. We do not see this when we first sign up with Jesus - but it is there - no doubt about that!
The reaction is immediate, strong, fierce, violent - 22 to 23 - "Rid the earth of him! He is not fit to live!" Surely such a powerful testimony to the grace of Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit would have melted everyone listening - not so - not so!
Their religious pride had been touched. Gentiles? Never!
When you give your testimony - when you witness to Jesus Christ and how you met Jesus Christ - and how Jesus changed you and transformed you - there may just be people present who will react in a similar vein. Be prepared, because not everyone rejoices when they hear of the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
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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