Paul is Spared
In Acts 23:1-5, we see Paul get punched while being held down. The command to punch him came from the High Priest Ananias. Paul's response was an insult to whoever commanded the punch, but according to Exodus 22:28, Paul was wrong to insult a ruler of people.
Then in Acts 23:6-11, Paul knows that the Sadducees and the Pharisees were divided on their stance of Paul's innocence and guilt, he lets the crowds know that he is a Pharisee. Because he believed in the resurrection of Christ (the dead being a risen is believed possible by Pharisees and not Sadducees), then he aligns himself with the Pharisees saying that he is one of them. The disagreements became violent and in order to keep Paul from being harmed he was moved. The next night he was told by God “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome (Acts 23:11).”
There was a plot to kill Paul and the Jews made an oath to not eat or drink until Paul was dead. Paul's nephew (his sister's son) found out about this and told Paul who had his nephew taken by the centurion to tell the tribune of what was waiting for him. Paul was then sent to Felix the Governor. A letter was accompanied with Paul and those he was sent with explaining Paul's situation including his possible innocence (Acts 23:28-30). After the arrival, Felix decided not to charge Paul with anything until the accusers arrived and he could hear them out.
I learned from Paul's trials that when you are led by the Holy Spirit, keep going. I see Paul as an example of courage in the Spirit of God to keep pressing on even when it seems hopeless. I see God's hand guiding Paul the whole way. Have you ever taken the time to look back at life and see where God's hand was guiding you in accordance with the Bible?
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Saul's Turn of Faith
Saul is the same man who was imprisoning Christians and he is the same man who had an apostle stoned to death. You would not say that Saul was a man after God's heart. You would not say that Saul was a "good person." But, you also can't say Saul's story is over and he has no chance for redemption.
While he was still searching for more Christians to imprison, a light from Heaven shone down on him. A voice started speaking and asked why Saul was persecuting him. Saul did not know who it was and the voice revealed itself to be that of Jesus. The men Saul was with heard the voice too but did not see anyone just as Saul did not. Saul was blinded and could not eat or drink for three days (Acts 9:1-9).
A man named Ananias was told by God to go to Damascus (where Jesus sent Saul). Ananias was told to go there because Saul (whom Ananias knew of) was there praying and had a vision of a man named Ananias who was to lay hands on him and heal his sight. God said in verse 15, "he is a chosen instrument of mine." God also said that Saul would have to suffer in God's name. Ananias did as he was told and Saul's sight was restored, he was baptized and finally was able to eat and drink.
Saul began proclaiming Jesus as the Son of God to people in Damascus and the people plotted to kill him. He escaped out of Damascus and tried to join the disciple who of course did not believe him. Barnabas spoke up for Saul and told of the light being shone on him and of Saul spreading the word of Christ in Damascus (Acts 9:19-31). When God wants to use someone, he will not pick someone who is perfect, but He will choose those whom He sees as able, even one who had persecuted and murdered Christ followers.
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What is Your Role?
It is very easy to just go to church and pray and consider that we are doing our part in the Kingdom of God. Yet, we never read our Bibles, we don't seek to understand the depth of God's word and we don't serve. I know I keep bringing up the message of selfless, God focused serving, but this topic keeps coming up in various ways in scripture.
In Acts 5, we read about Ananias and his wife Sapphira. Ananias sold some land and while other's had given all of their sales of property to the apostles to divide among those in need, Ananias kept some of the sale of his land for himself. When he was called out for his sin, he died. He was convicted by being told "You have not lied to man but to God." His wife Sapphira was complicit in the cover up of the money as well and once she was called out, she died as well. Lesson: Hold true to your oaths. God knows what you do even when you hide it from man. Their heart was not focused on being selfless.
In Acts 5:12-16, we read that the apostles were regularly doing signs and wonders, more believers came to know Jesus and were added to the church. In Acts 5:15-16 we see, that members of the church did their part to help others who needed help. They carried the sick out into the streets in hopes that they could be healed by Peter's shadow (there is no text that states that his shadow did heal- could just be the thought of people). But, ultimately I see that others were helping those in need. We all have different abilities. What are you doing with your God given abilities to help others for the Kingdom of God? That is a question you can answer or ask someone who truly knows you. Don't be a lazy, selfish Christian.
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