Persecutor to Preacher

Acts 9:19-22 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t this the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.
 
THIS is a most remarkable transformation. Saul’s purpose had been to cleanse the Jews of any person who claimed Jesus is Messiah. He had passionately believed with all his heart they were committing blasphemy. God’s law demanded they be stopped.
   But suddenly it seems he was just as passionately proving Jesus is Messiah. How had Saul so quickly learned the truth?
   Apparently Jesus’ church members had discipled Saul to learn the essential gospel. As he spent several days with the disciples – (any who followed Jesus) – in Damascus, Saul had time to hear, learn and believe Jesus is Messiah, Son of the Living God.
   This was much different than Jesus’ original 12 disciples. Their learning occurred over three years to know who Jesus is. What was the difference between Saul’s and the original 12 disciples’ timeline for understanding?   
   It was the Holy Spirit revealing the truth of Jesus’ resurrection. When Jesus came his disciples in their locked room, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22) The Spirit opened their minds to the truth. Each could truly confess to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28) as Thomas did. There were no more questions or debates about Jesus. Everything he had told them became absolutes in their lives. No longer did any doubt, fear and ignorance of Jesus’ deity stop them. The Holy Spirit filled them with unwavering devotion to the gospel.
   This was true for Saul. The evidence of the resurrection became suddenly clear in Saul’s encounter with Jesus. Saul had seen Jesus, spoken to him and experienced his power. Jesus blinded him. Jesus healed him. Saul recognized his sin against Jesus and his church. He rejected his past and focused on the future. All that he had learned about God’s law and the prophets quickly became the basis for the growing strength of his preaching about God’s salvation.
   People may study the Bbile for years and ask many questions. But only when the Holy Spirit reveals the truth of Jesus’ resurrection will one confesses Jesus is “My Lord and my God!” will he fully know the truth.