Feared Then Accepted.

Known to be fighting against the Christ followers, known to be a terror- his very name bringing shudders to the people who heard it, people who were waiting for their turn under his imprisonment. Paul was very well known but not as a Christ follower- not yet.

Saved from being murdered by the Jews in Damascus, Paul went to Jerusalem and wanted to join with the Christ followers there. What he wanted didn't come to pass, not right away. The Christ followers of Jerusalem FEARED Paul, they didn't believe he was truly a Christ follower at all. They hadn't witnessed his preaching, they hadn't been a part of his conversion from Christian hater to Christian himself.  They had heard rumors perhaps but no solid intel. How could they let a persecutor of them and their kind into their fold. You don't invite the wolf into the sheep fold.

God had a plan for Paul though, and that plan wasn't going to be thwarted. Barnabas--

Act 4:36  And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, 

Act 4:37  Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet. 

--  became a teacher--

Act_13:1  Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

-- Barnabas known to the Christ followers in Jerusalem as a trustworthy man, it was Barnabas who took Paul and BROUGHT him to the apostles. Barnabas knew Paul's back story and he declared it to the Apostles. He told them that Paul had seen Jesus, how Paul had spoken to Jesus and how Paul preached BOLDLY at Damascus all in Jesus' name.

Paul was vouched for! And Barnabas's word was good with the Apostles. They didn't reject Paul, they took Him in based on what Barnabas declared to them. From then on Paul was accepted as a Christ follower, a fellow disciple and even an apostle- in time.

People know those of us who haven't always followed Christ- as the people before our conversions and NOT all of them believe instantly that we've changed.  Becoming a Christ follower does bring about a change in people. Some are born into Christianity- raised to believe, accepting Christ out of that belief but even they often, but NOT always, will have a falling away only to return. Those who turned from being blatant sinners to those who are forgiven sinners- repenting of their sins and seeking to turn from them- do not always have friends and family that accept that change in them readily.  Some even disown their family members for changing, others destroy friendships because of the change.  Then there are those who didn't like the blatant sinner before the change and despised the willfully sinning ways they lived. These people won't instantly believe the change of the sinner, but if another who knows they've changed vouches for them, they'll trust them and then try that person to see if the change is real. This is how it is today for people, it is something that has been since Christianity's start.

Paul didn't want to be feared by the Christians, he was a Christian himself now.

Paul wanted only to follow the Lord's teachings and only time would prove this fully to those who had walked with Christ when He ministered on the earth.

We too need to let our LIVES speak for us and by the grace of God we will live for Christ and others will believe- not in us- but in CHRIST and His amazing POWER of SALVATION!

Act 9:26  And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. 

Act 9:27  But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 

Truth Incites Murder.

Act 9:23  And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: 

Act 9:24  But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. 

Act 9:25  Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. 

Yesterday we talked about Paul immediately starting to preach after being baptized. Paul has a story to preach about, not a story as in entertainment fairy tale, but a real miracle story, a personal story to share with people. What happened to Paul was amazing and he had to preach in every synagogue he could, to as many people as he could. The zeal he possessed had to be out of this world amazing! His personal testimony of what the Savior did for Him was unlike any others. To go from persecutor to advocate was astounding. The Jews of Damascus were amazed and I imagine many believed him, why would they doubt him, why would he lie? He was telling the truth of Jesus Christ and the unbelievers were those who were blind to the truth, wanting to believe in the traditions of men over the truth of God.  Those deceived Jews - after many days- took counsel to KILL PAUL!  Their top star Christian hunter was a turncoat, a traitor! Worse that that He was blatantly promoting Christianity and turning Jews into Christians!  Just like the Jews plotted and sought to kill Jesus Christ, they were now turning on Paul.

Paul however, somehow found out about the Jews plans to kill him and knew they had people waiting for the opportunity to get to him- night and day. Christ's disciples devised a plan to get him out of the city and in the dark of night they had him get into a basket and lowered him over the wall to the city.

Put yourself in Paul's place, put yourself in that basket. Realize that because of your belief people want to kill you and were actively and aggressively seeking to do just that.  People had never wanted to kill you before, not when you were persecuting Christ followers- the Christ followers didn't want to kill you even when you wanted to kill them. The evil was clear the heart of murderers was revealed and for Paul going from seeking to kill to be sought to be killed had to be awful. He was leaving under the cover of darkness over a wall skulking away so that he could continue to live and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Paul, we have to remember, is a pattern for us of Christ's longsuffering towards us we can never forget that as we learn more and more of Paul's life. Paul's suffering had begun in earnest, and if you don't believe that you suffer when your life is being threatened, you're wrong.

More tomorrow by the GRACE of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST, may HIS will be done now and forever.

Paul Preached Right Away.

Act 9:19  And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. 

Act 9:20  And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 

Act 9:21  But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? 

Act 9:22  But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. 

After being baptized- Paul finally broke his fast. He had his sight back- physically and spiritually, and now he needed sustenance. The meat strengthened him, giving him what he needed to survive. Three days without food and water is a rather long time- not extensive but still a long time if you are used to eating and drinking everyday which most people are - even if it's only a little bit.

Paul stayed with the disciples of Christ in Damascus, and it had to be very strange for those disciples which had heard of Paul's persecution.

Paul didn't sit still for long, he was recovered from all weakness brought on by his sudden conversion and then he began preaching in synagogues.  Paul preached Christ, telling all his fellow Jews that Christ truly is the Son of God.

ALL, not some, but ALL that heard him were AMAZED.  They were amazed because they'd heard of Paul, they KNEW he was the one who wanted to destroy all Christ followers. Paul was famous for his hatred of Christ followers so much so they knew in Damascus- another city - of his fame. They knew Paul was supposed to be hunting down Christ followers, NOT preaching the same blasphemy. They were shocked.  Let's try to supply a similar situation in our day and age. We could use politics for a moment-  if Hilary Clinton suddenly started advocating for Donald Trump (or vice versa) we'd be shocked! We'd find it very hard to believe. In fact we wouldn't truly believe it until time passed and they continued doing the advocating of one who was once their adversary.

Paul shocked so many Jews in Damascus that many of them believed Him.  Only a miracle could transform Paul, the Christian destroyer, into the Christ follower. 

Paul was doing the work of Christ, going against the Jews of His day who refused to acknowledge that Christ was indeed the Son of God. It would take a MIRACLE for Paul to change so drastically, a true miracle and people knew this.

Paul could have continued on wanting to destroy Christ followers. He could have denied the vision. Paul had a choice and He chose to follow Christ and accepted the path filled with many sufferings that was set before Him.

More on this tomorrow- by the WILL of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!!! Now and forever!

Winning Christ.

Paul was baptized.

Act 9:17  And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 

Act 9:18  And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

What's the big deal about Paul being baptized? Well, let's think about it, Paul was a staunch Jew if the highest order of Pharisees, a Christ persecutor, a Christ follower persecutor. Just days before Paul had happily taken part in the murder of Stephen, a Christ follower.  Being baptized signifies what exactly?

Mar_1:5  And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.

Confession of sins.

Act_2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Repentance.

Rom 6:3  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 

Rom 6:4  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 

Buried with Christ in baptism into death
Raised up from the dead.
Walking in newness of life.

If you've been baptized by immersion as an adult or at least as a young adult or and older mature child that comprehends fully the depths and meaning of baptism then you truly (symbolically) were buried beneath the water, dead, and raised up from that death, rising from the water to now walk a NEW life. The OLD life is buried, all the sins are buried, life previously walked without Christ is dead and gone. To be truly baptized is to have confessed very single sin you're aware of, as well as repenting of those sins making a conscious effort to no longer commit those sins again.

Paul had much to confess once he realized that he'd been fighting against God the entire time he thought he was actually doing God's work. He had great things to repent of. He had many friends and fellow Pharisees that were proud of his zeal for destroying the work of Christ. He had an entire life that he was leaving behind completely in order to follow Jesus. Paul was killing a part of himself as he was baptized. Rising from the water in newness of life had never been more true, more realized. 

Paul knew exactly what he was doing by being baptized.

Too many are flippantly baptized. I'm not saying they don't have a desire to be Christ's and to witness to that through baptism, I'm saying that not many people truly rise to a new life. Their lives go on in the same vein as before, all that is different is they've put on a show of being a follower of Christ. We know that there are going to be many that believe they are Christ's but aren't. These deceived people will have been baptized, they'll outwardly appear to belong to Christ, but they won't be His, not in reality.

When Paul was converted from Judaism to Christianity it was a whole life altering experience. Being baptized was a huge event for Paul, huge. He was becoming the very thing he had been trying to rid the world of. He was voluntarily putting himself into a position to be persecuted. Jesus had shown him the suffering he was going to endure by taking on the title of Christian and he gladly accepted what was to come for Him. We spend a lot of time avoiding suffering at all costs, looking upon suffering as being shunned by God, not as being refined.

Paul had this to say- Php_3:8  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ

He suffered the loss of all things and he knew he was going to suffer in that way, but it didn't matter to him because all that mattered was winning Christ!

May we win Christ all through the LOVE of our Savior, now and forever!  

God's Will Was Everything to Paul.

A disciple of Christ's named Ananias was instructed by Jesus Himself in a vision to go to where Saul (Paul) was and put his hands on him to heal him of his blindness. The Lord told Ananias that Paul was a CHOSEN VESSEL, told him this--

Act 9:16  For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. 

The Lord was to show Paul how greatly he was to suffer for Him. 

We touched on that yesterday- suffering for Christ. Many, much more than we can truly fathom, suffer today for Christ in horrific ways. Suffering for Christ isn't a foreign concept. We try to imagine no suffering but that is NOT going to happen here on this earth the way it is, it just isn't. If you ARE NOT suffering for Christ in any way you are either truly very blessed, or very deceived.  How many Christ followers start to suffer and quickly give up on Jesus? Why do they give up? Because they don't think that they should be suffering if Jesus in on their side. They believe they deserve a free pass in the suffering department, but there can be NOTHING further from the truth. Most of those chosen by God have known great suffering, so why would anyone believe they shouldn't have to suffer if they have Christ as their Savior? It is a great deception of Satan's that we believe Christ has failed us when we suffer. We begin to think that Christ doesn't hear our prayers when they aren't answered in the way we desire, but quite the opposite at times. Christ does hear our prayers and if we are praying for Christ's will to be done in us then that means we are trusting that every single evil bit of suffering we have to endure is for a reason we can't comprehend but God does and it will work out HIS will for our eternal good. We have to start looking more towards HEAVEN and less at here and now on earth. Heaven is where our TREASURES should be. The hope of no suffering any capacity large or small is to be found only in eternity, through the salvation found only in Christ Jesus  our Lord and Savior!

Paul was going to be shown what he would suffering, that's something to really think about. What would you do if you were shown the things you would suffer in advance of suffering through them? What if those things you were shown were horrible things, awful, terrible things? It's something to think about, hmn?

Act 9:17  And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 

Act 9:18  And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

Ananias went to Saul(Paul) and put his hands on him as instructed and told him that 'the LORD even JESUS that appeared to him in the way he came, sent him so he would receive his sight again AND be FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT!

The supernaturally placed scales fell from Paul's eyes and he could see! Paul stood up and then was baptized.  Now we know he wasn't baptized in the house, they had to go to the river at least. There was time between receiving his sight and being baptized. How do you imagine Paul was reacting to the miracle performed on him? Do you believe that Jesus showed Paul the great suffering he'd under go? Why wouldn't He, He said He was going to. Paul was shown the suffering in store for Him and still he went to be baptized. It wasn't a matter of suffering to Paul, what mattered to Paul was following God and God wanted Him to be a follower of Christ, an apostle of Christ's.  This is ALL that mattered to Paul- God's will! Yet, Paul was far from perfect- far, far from perfection.

Remember this? I'm not going to let you forget it….

Rom 7:24  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 

Paul's words!

Does that sound like the words of a perfect man with a perfect life?  NO.

Paul KNEW who his deliverer was and NEVER forgot it! 

Rom 7:25  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. 

Paul wanted only ever to be God's and God's led Him to that end, but it was NOT EASY.

May God lead us to HIM- and may any suffering we have to endure be done knowing it is temporary to eternity with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Why should our suffering be any less than Paul's?

Act 9:10  And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 

Act 9:11  And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 

Act 9:12  And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 

Act 9:13  Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 

Act 9:14  And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 

A disciple of Jesus Christ living at Damascus- the city Paul was traveling to in order to capture and imprison all Christ followers- saw the Lord in a vision. Ananias saw the Lord and spoke- saying, Behold, I am here, Lord. Ananias wanted to serve the Lord. The Lord told him to - Arise, go into the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for Saul of Tarsus- behold, he prays.  The Lord wanted Ananias His disciple to go to Saul (Paul) and told him that Saul (Paul) was praying. And the Lord continued- He told his disciple that Paul saw him-Ananias coming to him and putting his hand on him causing him to regain his sight.  Did Ananias simply accept what Jesus asked him to do? No. He answered - he told the Lord that many people told him about this Saul(Paul) and how evil he was to the Christ Followers in Jerusalem, and that he'd been given authority to imprison ALL that are Christ followers. Ananias was clearly scared, or at the very least extremely concerned about what he was being asked to do. He wanted to make sure the LORD knew that He was asking him to go to someone who had power to imprison him, someone who was evil- as if the LORD didn't know this already.  We can comprehend this, right? We constantly question what the Lord wants of us - thinking we know best. We say stupid things as if the LORD doesn't know what He is asking of us. He knows. It is us who are in the dark. The Lord had the following to say--

Act 9:15  But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 

Act 9:16  For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. 

Go, Saul (Paul) is a CHOSEN VESSEL.

This murdering, hatred filled man bent on destroying Christ followers was a CHOSEN VESSEL for JESUS CHRIST!

How many of us have pasts that are wicked and shameful, filled with sin and so much that is against Christ? How many of us are Paul's?  How many of us are chosen vessels for our Savior, and yet to others and even to ourselves we are repulsive in so many ways. If we truly believe we are Christ's, that He belongs to us and us to Him, then we are chosen by Him, chosen by the Father God as well.

Joh 17:1  These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: 

Joh 17:2  As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

I pray that ALL of us have been GIVEN to Jesus!  I pray ALL of us are vessels - chosen to be used of our Savior!

Ananias accepted what Jesus told him- that the murderer of Christ followers was a chosen vessel to be used of God, a vessel that would bear Jesus' name before the Gentiles, before Kings, and before Jews. Paul was a SPECIAL man, a special chosen vessel. Paul was going to be shown great things that he would have to suffer for Jesus. Imagine that, imagine being shown that you were going to have to suffer to belong to Jesus. It is contrary to what so many want to believe. Today people are taught they don't have to suffer for Jesus. People are taught prosperity and succeeding in the world today, they are taught that good things will happen if you truly believe and yet this isn't TRUTH, not the whole TRUTH. People take bits and pieces and choose to believe in only the good bits. Paul was going to be shown his future suffering and it would be a great suffering.  Why should our suffering be any less than Paul's?

More on this tomorrow by the GRACE and WILL, the ALL CONSUMING LOVE of OUR SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST FOREVER and NOW!

Act 9:17  And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 

Act 9:18  And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. 

Three Days.

After Paul has his vision of the Lord and is given instructions, he is led by his companions to where he needed to be. Blind, he spends all his time in prayer, waiting on the Lord.

I know I've been asking you to imagine a lot of things these last few days, and that's not going to stop. We need to imagine the situation, we need to put ourselves into the shoes of those who really experienced these things. We are given examples, patterns, we need to take them to heart, not read them for our entertainment. Let's take a few moment to think about what Paul did as he waited on the Lord. Three days he was without sight. Three days he had nothing to eat or drink. Three days he prayed.

Recently someone I know had to fast for a medical procedure, but the fast was for only liquids for a day and a half, not even a full fast of nothing at all. This person found it incredibly hard not to eat solid food. It makes you realize just how important it is to our wellbeing- emotionally and otherwise to eat.  I know there are times I don't eat according to my usual schedule and unless it is caused by emergency situations that have adrenaline and shock taking over, I feel light headed, sometimes sick to my stomach etc because I missed a single meal! Some people are used to missing meals, others are experienced in fasting as a way of life. Paul's extreme fasting was for spiritual reasons, even so, it couldn't have been easy- not that Paul was even thinking about anything being easy. Paul was consumed in prayer! Paul wanted NOTHING but the love of GOD! Paul wanted NOTHING but the forgiveness the love of God would give him. Every single action he'd taken against the Savior, every thought he'd had filled with hatred against GOD'S SON, all of this went through Paul's head, it had to. He wasn't there for three days with a blank mind, he wasn't unconscious. He may have slept, but he mostly did a lot of praying.

The LORD told Ananias to go to Paul and said these words-  'Behold he prayeth.'

Fasting and prayer. Three days blind, three days fasting, three days of prayer. Paul was seeking God. I won't say Paul never prayed like he was praying before- remember Paul was a very devout man of God, he'd been raised that way. Paul was an upstanding man of God, seeking God's truth, God's way. He only ever wanted to do what God would have him do. When he did NOT believe in Christ it was for a reason, and in retrospect we can see the reason, or at least in part. The Lord's longsuffering was revealed in Paul's conversion.  He may NOT have seen the Lord for who He was when He walked the earth for three years in His ministry, but He did see the Lord after he'd done so much persecuting of Him. Paul saw the truth, he was convicted of the truth in his heart and with a heart filled with remorse, with repentance, with the need for forgiveness he sought the Lord's Salvation!

More tomorrow, by the GRACE of our LORD!

All in the Love of our Savior, Jesus Christ, now and forever!!!!!!!

Act 9:6  And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. 

Act 9:7  And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. 

Act 9:8  And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. 

Act 9:9  And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. 

Act 9:10  And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 

Act 9:11  And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 

Act 9:12  And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 

Act 9:13  Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 

Act 9:14  And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 

Act 9:15  But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 

Act 9:16  For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. 

Act 9:17  And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 

Act 9:18  And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. 

Can you say these words, as Paul said them?

1Co 15:8  And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 

Psa 104:2  Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain

1Ti 1:12  And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 

1Ti 1:13  Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 

1Ti 1:14  And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 

Paul- born out of due time. Paul wasn’t a Christ follower when Christ was alive walking the earth teaching as all the other Apostles were. WE were not alive when Christ was alive and walking the earth teaching. PAUL, we look to Paul as one who is LIKE we are! Paul walked by faith- we must walk by faith. Yes, Paul had his encounter on the road to Damascus and we may not have such an encounter, but Paul did NOT spend countless hours in Jesus' physical presence. Paul relied upon the Holy Spirit, just as WE must rely upon the Holy Spirit. Paul was against Jesus, until He was shown beyond doubt that Jesus was who He said He was- God's Son. Jesus was alive! The very Jesus they murdered on the cross was ALIVE and had the power of Heaven!

Today there are MANY who do not believe in Jesus as a reality, they don't believe in God at all. Then there are MANY who say they believe but in truth they don't believe at all. 

Act 5:38  And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: 

Act 5:39  But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. 

Rom 10:3  For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 

We need to submit ourselves to God's righteousness. We need to believe. We need to know that just as Paul lived for our Savior, we must live for our Savior.  We will suffer- he suffered. We will comprehend our own worthlessness, just as Paul comprehended His own worthlessness.  Paul FOUGHT the spiritual battle and WE FIGHT the same spiritual battle!

We war, as he warred!

Can you say these words?
 

Rom 7:14  For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 

Rom 7:15  For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 

Rom 7:16  If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 

Rom 7:17  Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 

Rom 7:18  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 

Rom 7:19  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 

Rom 7:20  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 

Rom 7:21  I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 

Rom 7:22  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 

Rom 7:23  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 

Rom 7:24  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 

Rom 7:25  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. 

What will You have me do, Lord?

Paul was HAPPILY on his way to another city to capture and imprison Christ followers. I can even imagine him boasting to those in his group, maybe not boasting so much as sharing his eagerness to get to Damascus so he could begin purging it of blasphemers all in God's name, all with God's approval. Then to suddenly be stopped just shy of his goal by a HEAVENLY light, and a HEAVENLY voice asking him why he was persecuting GOD Himself! How shocking that must have been!
 

Act 9:5  And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 

Paul knew it was God but he didn't know it was Jesus, God's Son.  Who are you? He had to know, He had to hear the words. Who was stopping him from getting to Damascus?

The Lord answered clearly-  I AM JESUS WHOM THOU PERSECUTEST.

Jesus???  But, but… no… Jesus?! Jesus was shining this heavenly light upon him, this light greater than the light of the very sun in the sky?! Jesus who he was fighting to erase from history. Jesus who had followers he was seeking to imprison. Jesus who had a staunch follower in Stephen and who Paul had a part in murdering. Jesus, the great blasphemer Himself. Jesus the one He happily heard and most likely witnessed crucified!  Jesus! JESUS!

Jesus didn't stop there he added-  It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks- when in the language of the day meant-  'The idea is, that he is injuring himself, like the ox that kicks back on the goads used to urge him forward.'  (Commentator B.W. Johnson)

Jesus was telling Him outright that by his actions Paul was HURTING himself in God's eyes, not doing the work of God. 

Just imagine the shock Paul had to feel. He truly believed he was doing God's work! He did! He was! And now to find out that all he'd done was wrong?! That justifiable murder of a blasphemer (Stephen) the justifiable murder of the chief of blasphemers (Jesus crucified), was WRONG! Paul was being told that they weren't blasphemers at all, but truly of GOD! God's ONLY BEGOTTEN SON- CRUCIFIED!?  Just imagine the enormity of realization hitting Paul all at once. Everything he believed was true and good was WRONG! He was hurting his own spiritual life by the path he was on, totally opposite of all he'd believed!

Act 9:6  And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?

Paul trembled, Paul was astonished.  I can only imagine the violent shaking of his trembling, the depths of his astonishment!  Paul didn't doubt any more who was speaking to him, he was enveloped in divine light from the Savior Himself, he was being spoken to by the Lord Himself! And true to the depths of his desire to follow God and God alone and not man- he asked…

Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?!

He wanted to do God's will! That's what Paul wanted more than anything else.

Act 9:6 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. 

Act 9:7  And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. 

Act 9:8  And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. 

Arise, go to the city- then he'd be told what he had to do. 

Paul heard this clearly and the light was gone, Jesus was gone, and those around him that hard the voice but saw no one, were all speechless. They'd witnessed the miracle, what could they say about that?!

Paul rose up from where he'd fallen and we was blind.

Blinded by the light of the Lord. Told he was wrong, so very wrong for persecuting Christ followers. Paul's entire world was rocked violently.

Act 22:6  And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.

Act 22:7  And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 

Act 22:8  And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. 

Act 26:9  I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 

Act 26:12  Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 

Act 26:13  At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. 

Act 26:14  And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 

Act 26:15  And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 

Act 26:16  But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 

Act 26:17  Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 

Act 26:18  To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. 

Paul was told by JESUS-

He would be made a minister, he would be made a witness of all he heard and seen, and see more things in the future and he would have to minister and witness of those as well.  Paul would be responsible for opening the eyes of the people, and of the gentiles. Paul would teach them so they would be turned from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God, how to be forgiven of their sins, how they would receive an inheritance found in those sanctified by faith in JESUS CHRIST our LORD.

Paul was told to go to the city and he would be told more.

Paul had SO MUCH to think about!

Blinded, reprimanded, entreated, Paul was all these things- Paul was being taught instantly that to believe in the LORD would do ALL those things for Him that He would teach others.

Just, please, please take a moment and think of the magnitude of all that happened to Paul.

And now… think of the longsuffering of our Savior to take one like Paul, so set on destroying all that He stood for, so set on destroying the way to salvation itself, and yet, Jesus knew Paul's heart. Jesus could forgive ALL that Paul had done. The longsuffering of the LORD is so amazing and we must look at Paul, and the example of our Savior's longsuffering towards us.

More on this tomorrow, by the WILL of the LORD, our SAVIOR, Jesus Christ now and forever!!!!!!!

Paul- Stopped In His Tracks.

Paul was on his way to round up and persecute Christ followers. He was on a mission he believed inspired by God. He was going about God's work - getting these awful blasphemers taken care of so they did not go about riling up people against God's truth. He couldn't have been happier to be doing the work of God. Yet he was in for a HUGE surprise, a SHOCKING surprise, a LIFE-ALTERING surprise.

Act 9:3  And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven

Paul was NEAR his goal. Paul was close to Damascus and it was there he was going to begin again to search every house and root out every Christ follower- men and woman. He'd just been in Jerusalem searching out Christians to imprison them. He'd just been witness and consenting to Stephen's murder and was pleased. Now he was very close to Damascus where he could begin again. 

Stopped dead in his tracks he was SUDDENLY enveloped in light. The light he was surrounded in was a light from HEAVEN.  Can you imagine it? There you are setting about on a Godly mission and then you are stopped by God Himself! The LIGHT of HEAVEN was upon Him! What do you think went through His mind in that moment? Or maybe nothing really coherent was going on, just pure shock. As the light from God hit him…

Act 9:4  And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 

Paul is now on the ground surrounded by the heavenly light and he hears a VOICE. If the light is heavenly it stands to reason the voice was heavenly as well. A voice from heaven- God's voice was speaking to Him!  God HIMSELF! And instead of a commendation for the good work he'd been doing, or the work he was about to do, he was chastised! Clearly Paul was NOT expecting any chastising especially not from God! Yet, the words came-  Saul, Saul WHY PERSECUTEST THOU ME?

Imagine Paul's shock, his complete and utter shock! He was doing God's work! He wasn't persecuting God!

MORE on this tomorrow by the LOVE, the WILL, the GRACE of our LORD and SAVIOR now and forever!!!!

On the Road to Imprison Christ Followers.

1Ti 1:16  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 

Paul, a pattern- A pattern of JESUS' LONGSUFFERING towards all of us!

Act 9:1  And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 

Act 9:2  And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. 

Very vocal, Paul (Saul) talked greatly against Christ's followers. He threatened them, he talked of slaughtering them.

Take a moment to really let that sink in.

Today here in America it is common to read in the news about terrorist led threatening to destroy all Americans, calling America the great Satan and so on and so forth. We hear about various terrorist threatening various countries they're at odds with. We can comprehend threatening and a desire to slaughter, and it's not something we enjoy hearing. Paul was VERY loud in his desire to slaughter all Christ followers. This wasn't a passing fancy for him. He wasn't just following a crowd of others. He wanted to lead a charge against Christ followers. Just think what that had to be like for Paul. The mindset he had that filled him with a murderous rage against people he didn't even know. All Paul did know was they weren't following His ways but the ways of one His leaders had crucified. If the leader had to be crucified it stood to reason that all the followers of that leader needed to die as well, right? They had to stamp out all this awful blasphemy before it got out of control and infected more and more the Jewish people. This was what Paul was so upset about- Jesus was born a Jew- circumcised a Jew on the eighth day just as he was. Jesus was raised in the synagogue in the ways of the Jewish faith. Jesus' followers were also mostly Jewish and to lead people away from what Paul perceived was the truth was worthy of death.

Paul was a blatant murderer who wanted more people murdered- though to himself it was a justifiable death and not really murder at all.

Going to the High Priest, Paul wanted permission- written permission to go further to another city to root out more of the evil Christ followers plaguing them. He wanted to gather them up and bring them back to Jerusalem to be imprisoned.  He was on a holy mission, he believe God wanted him to do this thing and he was going to stay true to God and do all he could.

Given permission, and most likely the blessing and gratitude of the High Priest, Paul left on his holy crusade.

Act 9:3  And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven

Act 22:6  And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. 

Act 26:12  Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 

Act 26:13  At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. 

Remember- Paul was on his way to persecute Christ followers, his heart was set on his mission.

Suddenly at noon a GREAT light, greater than the light of the sun, enveloped Him and those around him.

Out of nowhere he was in the intense spotlight of supernatural light, light from a source other than the sun- it was BRIGHTER than the sun. Such a light!

Have you ever been put in a spotlight? I literal one? How about the spotlight of someone's flashlight? You can comprehend a bright light suddenly shining on you, yes? You don't keep moving, you are taken off guard, you are shocked even if it's only for a few moments. Paul was thrust in the light of God.

More on this tomorrow, by the GRACE of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!!!!!!! Now and forever!!! In His love!

Paul Imprisoned Every Christian He Could Find.

1Ti 1:16  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 

Paul, a pattern- A pattern of JESUS' LONGSUFFERING towards all of us!

Act 8:1  And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. 

Act 8:2  And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 

Act 8:3  As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. 

Saul (Paul) was CONSENTING unto Stephen's death.

Paul was guilty of murdering an innocent man in consenting to the stoning. Murder. A crime in the Israelite's religion worthy of death in return. Yet, in Paul's mind he was innocent of murder. Paul believed Stephen's death was justified. Blasphemy was also a crime worthy of death and to Paul, Stephen's blasphemy was believing in Jesus as being God's Son. Stephen laid the guilt of Jesus' death upon the very ones that would kill him just minutes later. The guilt was unrepentant of, the guilt was glorified, the guilty turned their sin into righteousness but they couldn't have been more wrong.

The man that revealed the longsuffering of Jesus Christ our Savior, did so firstly when he was forgiven of the death of not only Stephen, but of Jesus Himself.

Paul consented to Stephen's death. Paul consented to the death of the Savior. Paul was a very guilty man.

The great persecution against the church at Jerusalem was condone by Paul. The Christ followers scattered throughout the land- all but the apostles.

Devout men CARRIED Stephen to his burial and lamented his death greatly.

Saul(Paul) went on to WRECK HAVOC on the church.

Paul entered EVERY HOUSE.

Paul captured EVERY CHRISTIAN- men and women alike and put them in prison!

Such zeal! Such dedication to a cause! He left no house untouched. Just imagine how people thought of him, how his reputation was made among the Christians. He was a vile, vile man intent on destroying those who followed the Savior! The intensity of his purpose was unmatched. Persecute all Christ followers!  Just imagine those who ruled over Paul, how happy they must have been to have someone so incredibly dedicated to the destruction of Christ's followers. He was the best of the best in his devotion to what he truly believed was truth- and he was WRONG!

More on this tomorrow by the Grace and Mercy, the unfathomable love of our Savior, Jesus Christ, our Lord now and forever! 

Murdering Mob- Forgiven.

Paul, a pattern- A pattern of JESUS' LONGSUFFERING towards all of us!

1Ti 1:16  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 

We meet Saul (Paul after name change in the future) at the stoning of Stephen, a Christ follower.

Act 7:54  When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 

Paul gnashed his teeth at Stephen- he was cut to the heart by Stephen's words, hating Stephen for all he'd revealed in those words. Paul didn't want the truth, he wanted his comfortable lies filled with his traditions and hypocrisy- he was safe there. Paul had grown up in a family of Pharisees and proudly became a Pharisee. Paul loved serving God in the ways of his forefathers. Paul did NOT believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, the Messiah promised to his people. Paul believe any who did believe in Jesus Christ as the Messiah were guilty of blasphemy and should die. Have you ever hated anyone? Have you ever despised anyone? Has anyone ever made you furious, livid, filled with intense dislike? If you can remember what it felt like to hate someone so completely then you know what Paul felt towards Stephen, and in truth, towards ALL Christ followers.

Stephen gave his speech telling the truth that those listening could not bear to hear and this is what happened next--

Act 7:55  But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 

Act 7:56  And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 

Act 7:57  Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 

Act 7:58  And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. 

And there is Paul(Saul). A young man. A young man filled with fury for his beliefs that were in opposition to Stephen's beliefs. A young man who watched as the first piece of clothing was tossed at his feet as one of the furious people took off their outer garment so they could more easily throw the stones that would kill Stephen. Not just one person tossed their clothing at his feet but many. Just picture it, visualize the furious mob completely incensed by Stephen. They were going to kill him, they wanted to kill him, they had to kill him and they weren't going to shirk their duty. Off went their outer coat with its long cumbersome sleeves, nothing would interfere with their ability to easily bend down and grab up the rocks. Nothing would impede their throwing their arm back as far as they could to give their throw as much momentum as possible. You've thrown a rock before haven't you? Maybe not with the hatred filled intensity that these men had, but you've thrown things- maybe a ball that you wanted desperately to go as far as possible. You know what it's like to throw something hard, don't you? You understand the muscles involved in this. You comprehend how some throws make it seem as if your entire body is a tightening spring ready to be sprung upon the release of the object in your hand. You feel the power, the adrenaline, the rush of it all as that object meets its intended target and you are filled with happiness.  With stoning - you can imagine the wildness of it all, the chaos. Not one man throwing stones, but a whole group picking up rocks and hurling them with as much power as they can at one helpless target, one man. Stephen was that man, that target and he was lifted off the ground and manhandled viciously out of the city and thrown down while many men surrounded him and began to kill him.

Act 7:59  And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 

Act 7:60  And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. 

There, as Saul (Paul) stood with a pile of clothing at his feet watching the business end of the murder taking place, he may or may not have thrown rocks, but the fact he was standing there with a pile of clothing in front of him leads me to believe he didn't participate in the rock throwing aspect. He consented whole-heartedly to the murder, he joined the throng in its fury. He was probably shouting as mobs tend to shout as they are out of control and committing heinous acts.
 

And Stephen… Stephen called upon God…. Saying…. LORD JESUS RECEIVE MY SPIRIT!  And that spirit was his breath, his life source… the breath of life we ALL receive is returned to God upon death.

roo'-akh  (spirit)

From H7306; wind; by resemblance breath..

Stephen asked the LORD JESUS to receive his last breath and He did, we know He did.

Stephen also cried out…. With a LOUD voice….

LORD LAY NOT THIS SIN TO THEIR CHARGE!

Stephen didn't want his murder upon their heads, the sin of murder they were committing against him. Stephen didn't want the guilt upon his murderers!  Paul heard that! Paul heard Stephen, yet that did NOT stop Paul from his hatred towards Stephen and all he stood for as a Christ follower.  No, it did not stop Paul, it fueled his hatred.

As Stephen fell into death's long sleep, Paul was celebrating with those around him - maybe not with any literal blood on their hands but figurative…. But then again… maybe no blood in any manner because Stephen did not want his blood on their hands. Paul was celebrating the death of a Christ follower and his own resolve stiffened and he knew he had to go after more of these awful Christ followers.

More tomorrow by the MERCY, the GRACE of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST NOW and FOREVER!!!!!!!! All in His amazing LOVE!

Paul Hated Jesus.

1Ti 1:16  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 

*******

Let's learn more of Paul-- We start with the first martyr Stephen.

Act 6:8  And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. 

Act 6:9  Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. 

Act 6:10  And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. 

Act 6:11  Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. 

Act 6:12  And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, 

Act 6:13  And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: 

Act 6:14  For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. 

Act 6:15  And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. 

Act 7:1  Then said the high priest, Are these things so? 

Act 7:2  And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, 

Act 7:3  And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee. 

Act 7:4  Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell. 

Act 7:5  And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child. 

Act 7:6  And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years. 

Act 7:7  And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place. 

Act 7:8  And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs. 

Act 7:9  And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him, 

Act 7:10  And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. 

Act 7:11  Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance. 

Act 7:12  But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first. 

Act 7:13  And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph's kindred was made known unto Pharaoh. 

Act 7:14  Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls. 

Act 7:15  So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers, 

Act 7:16  And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem. 

Act 7:17  But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, 

Act 7:18  Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph. 

Act 7:19  The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live. 

Act 7:20  In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months: 

Act 7:21  And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son. 

Act 7:22  And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. 

Act 7:23  And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. 

Act 7:24  And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian: 

Act 7:25  For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not. 

Act 7:26  And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another? 

Act 7:27  But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? 

Act 7:28  Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday? 

Act 7:29  Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons. 

Act 7:30  And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush. 

Act 7:31  When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him, 

Act 7:32  Saying, I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold. 

Act 7:33  Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground. 

Act 7:34  I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt. 

Act 7:35  This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush. 

Act 7:36  He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years. 

Act 7:37  This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear. 

Act 7:38  This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: 

Act 7:39  To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt, 

Act 7:40  Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. 

Act 7:41  And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. 

Act 7:42  Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness? 

Act 7:43  Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon. 

Act 7:44  Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen. 

Act 7:45  Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David; 

Act 7:46  Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. 

Act 7:47  But Solomon built him an house. 

Act 7:48  Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, 

Act 7:49  Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? 

Act 7:50  Hath not my hand made all these things? 

Act 7:51  Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. 

Act 7:52  Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: 

Act 7:53  Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. 

Act 7:54  When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 

Paul was there listening to Stephen witness to truth- ONLY truth!

Paul was one of those who 'heard these things' he was 'cut to the heart' and he 'gnashed on' Stephen with his teeth. That is to say his fury had him railing against Stephen. He hated Stephen, yet Stephen spoke ONLY truth. There was not a single word that Stephen spoke that was false. So when he said- 'Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears' he was speaking of Paul along with the others.  Stephen also said this- 'ye do always resist the Holy Ghost, as your fathers did so do ye'.  Again Paul (known as Saul then) heard these words! Stephen did not stop there he said- 'Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted, and have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One….'   Paul heard truth from Stephen. The prophets were persecuted this is fact, this is history! The prophets were killed and the prophets revealed the coming of Jesus Christ our Savior.  And Stephen told Paul - as well as the others that THEY were no better than those who killed God's prophets of old. They had BETRAYED the Just One. They Murdered the Just One and Stephen TOLD them so. And Stephen didn't stop there he told them THEY received the law by the disposition of ANGELS and didn't keep it!

He revealed their wrongs, their lies, their deceits, their hatred and just as no one likes to have their faults brought into the light, they didn't want their evil in the light and there is was revealed for all, plain to see and they were furious! Paul was furious! Paul was incited toward evil having his sins exposed so blatantly.

More on Paul tomorrow- remember He is a pattern!

Please Lord, please help us to know and believe, and follow all YOUR TRUTH! Guide us! All through the love, the grace, the mercy of our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST! Now and ALWAYS!