Acts 9:19-31 - Saved to Serve

 Saul did not take on the name Paul just because he became a Christian. He probably had both names at birth. As a true Hebrew he was called Saul. And as a Roman citizen, he was given the name Paul or Paulus.

We learnt that immediately following his conversion, he was with the disciples at Damascus. It's only natural for him to be attracted to like minded believers to fellowship with for several days.

Immediately, we are told, that he began to share his new found faith in the synagogues proclaiming Jesus as the Son of God. His encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus had left him without doubt that Jesus is indeed the Son of God. This was the primary subject of Paul's earliest preaching.

The people were seized with amazement continually by his proclamation of Christ. His radical turn around was too much for them. The one who was relentlessly hunting down believers who proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah, was now sharing his new found faith with equally great zeal. His Jewish opponents were baffled by his proof that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.

We are not told how long Saul kept on with his fervent preaching. We are only told that it was many days. During this period he must have made may disciples as well as many Jewish enemies. Saul was in danger as his Jewish enemies plotted to arrest him.

When the plot was discovered, his friends helped him to escape, by lowering him down an opening in the wall in a large basket. This was needful as his enemies were watching at the gate for him day and night.

Verse 26 tells us that Saul escaped directly to Jerusalem. And just as he did at Damascus, he tried to get into the company of the disciples there. He was in for a shock of his life. No one would believe that he was a genuine follower of Christ.

Understandably so, because the last thing they knew about him was his threats and animosity toward the church. This change of event was too sudden. It made it hard to accept.  We human beings often find it hard to immediately adjust to the Lord's surprises.  

It was at this point that Barnabas, who was introduced to us in Acts 4:36-37, came to the rescue. As a widely accepted member of the community, Barnabas took Saul to the apostles. He stood for Saul and told the apostles how he was confronted by the Lord on the road to Damascus, and how Saul had boldly declared his faith at Damascus.

As a result, the community of faith at Jerusalem accepted him and he could move freely among them, declaring boldly the name of the Lord. We are told that he presented his case among the Hellenist who became bitter against him and  sought to put him to death.

Once again, he was rescued by fellow believers. They personally escorted Saul to safety at Caesarea.  And from there they sent him away to his home town at Tarsus.

Verse 31 is another summary statement by Luke. He tells us that now that one of the great opponents of the church had been converted, there was a period of peace and the community continued to grow. The believers grew in spiritual stature and numbers. The fear of the Lord was among them but there were also great comfort in the Holy Spirit.

In serving God, expect to encounter resistance. In this passage we saw how Saul was resisted twice, once at Damascus and once at Jerusalem. But at both times God had people stationed to assist him. Similar to Saul, God has people, like Barnabas, around our lives to help us in our difficult times.

So take courage, just persist in His service. No one can thwart God's plan for our life and ministry.  Better still, stay open to God. We may well be the Barnabas-like people whom God will use, to help others to find their ministry to serve Him.