0129. Paul's Conversion
Paul’s Conversion
"He is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My Name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the Children of Israel" (Act_9:15).
The whole story of Saul’s conversion is of consuming interest. He was a real man. He was gifted with a great brain, a great will and tremendous power of endurance. No young man in Jewry stood above him in the energy with which he con-tended for his religion and persecuted the Christians.
His trip to Damascus is common ground with us all; his letters of authority; his intent to bring the Christians back in chains. But God interposed. Already Saul’s spirit was being "pricked" with conviction. He was finding it difficult to battle against the shining face of the dying Stephen; he could not forget his words; he was finding that the prayers of those who were in Christ before him, were moving his soul.
Thus the young man who pressed his way, headstrong against God, along the Damascus road, was, in reality, a man almost ready to capitulate to God.
Suddenly the light shone from Heaven and Saul heard the words of the Risen Lord: "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest". It was not long until Saul was crying, "What wilt Thou have me to do"? The new life had come–Saul was born again.
When God saves a soul, He saves a life. When God saves a life, He saves it for a purpose–to a plan of service before prepared.
As yet the early Church had not pressed far hence unto the Gentiles. These Gentiles were included in the "love of God"; Christ died for them also. But how could they hear without a preacher? and how could he preach unless he was sent?
The whole story of Saul’s conversion, the shining face, the prayers of loved ones, the Damascus road scene was all wrought out in behalf of the regions beyond. The key to it all is found in the words of our text: "He is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My Name before the Gentiles".
Who can see the hand of God saving Saul, and making him Paul, the mighty evangelist of the Cross, without believing in missions?
No marvel that as soon as Ananias had anointed Saul’s eyes and he saw; as soon as he was baptized; he tarried certain days with the disciples at Damascus, "And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God".
No marvel that this man traveled, as few men have traveled, preaching the Gospel, baptizing converts, and organizing churches. One is amazed as they get the map and follow the missionary journeys of Paul.
And, if God saved Saul to make him, Paul, the missionary: why did He save you? We are all the ambassadors of Christ, as though God was beseeching lost men by us; as though He was using us, in Christ’s stead, to call upon men to be reconciled unto God. All of us, have the ministry of reconciliation, and all of us have the Word of reconciliation.
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR