When Christianity came into being in the first century, it was a great threat to the Jewish religion, so Saul, later called Paul, set out to destroy Christianity.
Jesus had predicted that this would happen. In Luke 21:12 we read: “...They will lay their hands on you and persecuteyou, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake.”
This prophecy was fulfilled almost at once as Christianity began growing rapidly.
One of the men who chose to stamp out Christianity was a man called Saul of Tarsus, a young man the Pharisees considered promising. In fact, he was elevated to membership in the Sanhedrin, which placed him in a very high position of power.
Although Saul was a Roman citizen by birth, he was educated at the feet of the most eminent of the rabbis in Jerusalem-Gamaliel. Saul was zealous for the Jewish faith, and the Jewish leaders recognized him as a staunch defender of their faith.
Saul-whose name later was changed to Paul after his conversion of himself. He described what he did to put an end to the Christians. “I persecuted to ... the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women....I went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.” Acts 22:4, 5.
As he was on his way to Damascus, a bright light shone out of heaven and struck him to the ground. He heard a voice, saying, “...Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” and he answered, “Who are you, Lord?”
And the voice answered, “I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.” Acts 22:7, 8.
The proud Pharisee humbly asked the Lord, “...What shall I do, Lord?” And the Lord said... “Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.” Acts 22:10.
Saul was blinded by the bright light and had to be led to a room in Damascus.
For three days Saul had time to think of the suffering and pain he had caused the people of God, and of the times he had avowed that Jesus was not the Messiah and that His followers were deluded fanatics.
In testifying against God’s people and falsely accusing them, he had accused and testified against the Saviour of the world! What anguish of heart that realization must have brought to Saul.Saul had time to make things right with his Lord.He sat in total darkness for three days, and then God sent a prophet to him by the name of Ananias.
Ananias said to Saul, “...Brother Saul, receive your sight. And at that same hour I looked up at him.Then he said, The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth.For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.” Acts 22:13-15.
Then, in order for Saul to go forward in his life and shut the door on his past, Ananias said to Saul,“And now, why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Acts: 22:16.
This is the way Saul was to be joined to His Lord forever. Baptism was the doorway to a new life for Saul. Saul needed to be washed clean from the terrible things he had done in the name of his religion.
His conscience needed to be cleansed. He knew he needed God’s amazing grace and forgiveness.When he was baptized he knew that God had forgiven him. And Saul the persecutor would become Paul, a zealot for Jesus all his life!
Have you ever wished you could start all over again and that all of the mistakes you had made in the past could be washed away?
God knew that we needed just such an experience.
When Christianity came into being in the first century, it was a great threat to the Jewish religion, so Saul, later called Paul, set out to destroy Christianity.
Jesus had predicted that this would happen. In Luke 21:12 we read: “...They will lay their hands on you and persecuteyou, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake.”
This prophecy was fulfilled almost at once as Christianity began growing rapidly.
One of the men who chose to stamp out Christianity was a man called Saul of Tarsus, a young man the Pharisees considered promising. In fact, he was elevated to membership in the Sanhedrin, which placed him in a very high position of power.
Although Saul was a Roman citizen by birth, he was educated at the feet of the most eminent of the rabbis in Jerusalem-Gamaliel. Saul was zealous for the Jewish faith, and the Jewish leaders recognized him as a staunch defender of their faith.
Saul-whose name later was changed to Paul after his conversion of himself. He described what he did to put an end to the Christians. “I persecuted to ... the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women....
As he was on his way to Damascus, a bright light shone out of heaven and struck him to the ground. He heard a voice, saying, “...Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” and he answered, “Who are you, Lord?”
And the voice answered, “I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.” Acts 22:7, 8.
The proud Pharisee humbly asked the Lord, “...What shall I do, Lord?” And the Lord said... “Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.” Acts 22:10.
Saul was blinded by the bright light and had to be led to a room in Damascus.
For three days Saul had time to think of the suffering and pain he had caused the people of God, and of the times he had avowed that Jesus was not the Messiah and that His followers were deluded fanatics.
In testifying against God’s people and falsely accusing them, he had accused and testified against the Saviour of the world! What anguish of heart that realization must have brought to Saul.
Ananias said to Saul, “...Brother Saul, receive your sight. And at that same hour I looked up at him.
Then, in order for Saul to go forward in his life and shut the door on his past, Ananias said to Saul,
This is the way Saul was to be joined to His Lord forever. Baptism was the doorway to a new life for Saul. Saul needed to be washed clean from the terrible things he had done in the name of his religion.
Have you ever wished you could start all over again and that all of the mistakes you had made in the past could be washed away?
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