1 Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers.[a] So he went to the high priest. 2 He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains.
3 As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”
5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one! 8 Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. 9 He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink.
Acts 9:1-9 (NLT) 中文
Persecution increases
Philip, one of 7 deacons of the early church had fled Jerusalem for other areas in Judea and Samaria due to persecution. This persecution, we see here from today’s passage, was partly due to Saul. As Philip is preaching and doing miracles, many are amazed, believe and are baptized – including a eunuch from Ethiopia.
Persecutor to proclaimer
Luke now brings Saul back to center stage after introducing him in Acts 8:1-3. He will continue there on and off for the rest of the book. But not because of his great persecution of the church. For the opposite. Today’s event starts the transformation of Paul from persecutor of the Gospel to proclaimer of the Gospel.
Amazing transformation
This event is spectacular. Not for the visual effect (no pun intended) like a pyrotechnic show. Rather, for the amazing transformation from a hater of The Way (which is what they were calling this new faith – based on John 14:6) to someone who would (and did) die for it. From verse one, “The picture is of an angry, violent man absolutely convinced of his own righteousness.” (enduringword.com) He was willing to travel 150 miles (about 6 days) to inflict his virulent attack on the believers there.
But what he discovered is, he wasn’t attacking the believers, he was attacking their Lord. And you don’t mess with their Lord! Jesus’ words were few but direct. It’s like a check against the boards in hockey followed by the next step: continue to your destination and wait. You have a new purpose Saul.
RЯeflection
- Is there someone in your life who seems opposed to everything Christian? Or should we say more specifically, everything having to do with the Jesus of the Bible since not all us Christians reflect Him well. Is it possible God is actually working in them to use them for His glory? Have you considered praying for them and loving them as they are, in faith?
- Isn’t it amazing how Jesus confronted Saul and through that confrontation transformed him. Today’s passage is the beginning; it is a multi-year process. How’s your transformation going? Is it visible?
