We left Paul on the barracks steps where a crowd had gathered below shouting for his arrest. He was speaking to the crowd and telling them who he had been and what he was now wanting to do. He had just explained his history of being an upright Jew and went on to say, "I persecuted both men and women who followed the Way to their death, as the high priest can testify. I was on my way to Damascus to take some people prisoners and bring them back to Jerusalem."
"About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say, "Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?"
"Who are you?" I asked.
"I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting."
My companions saw the light, but heard no voice.
"What shall I do , Lord?" I asked. "Get up," the Lord said, 'and go to Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.' My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me."
Paul continued, "A man named Ananias come to me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by the Jews. He stood beside me and said, "Brother Saul, receive your sight!" And at that very moment I was able to see. Then he said, "The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now, what are you waiting for? Get up! Be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on Jesus' name."
"And afterward, Paul said, "The Lord said to me, 'Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.' "
The crowd had listened, but they were not satisfied with Paul's righteousness and demanded he be executed. The centurion who held him directed Paul be flogged, but stopped when he realized Paul was a Roman citizen who had not yet been found guilty. Therefore, it would be wrong to flog Paul. The centurion decided Paul should be brought before the Jewish Sanhedrin, the council of chief priests, to determine his guilt or innocence.
That meeting never was completed as the Jews sought to have Paul killed, and the young centurion, who had become impressed with Paul's story, had Paul spirited away to Caesarea in the night under guard. He was to have a trial before Felix, the Governor.
There, in Caesarea, Paul was a prisoner. And it was years before he got to Rome. But the Sanhedrin was unable to have him killed, so at least his life was saved for future letter writing.
Our Saul, met by our Lord, in spite of Saul's many crimes against Christians, became Paul, and he was not only forgiven, but called to serve Christ throughout his life-time.
The study tells us: "Paul used his times of persecution as an opportunity to witness Christ. Even his enemies created a platform for him and he got opportunity to address some of the Jewish Council and Governor Felix and his guests. over the years. If we, too, are sensitive to the Holy spirit's leading, we will see increased opportunity to share our faith, even in the face of opposition."
Great story, huh? Great it is, and true! Saul became Paul. What might your new name be?
Or mine?
JO INMN
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