Full Circle

Acts 9:28-30 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30 When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
 
THESE verses are at the center of a four-act story that reveals the way God works his gracious good to advance the gospel.   
   Act 1 in this story goes back to Acts 6. We remember there the Greek-speaking Jews from various provinces including Cilicia (remember this name). They charged Stephen before the Sanhedrin. Saul was closely associated with them because he was from Tarsus of Cilicia.
   Act 2 is in the first two verses above. Acts 9:28-29 tells us Saul is now a Christian. He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews – his former associates. Saul knows them! He wants them to be saved! Saul knew they could hate him in the same way they had hated Stephen. But even more Saul knew the deadly danger to their souls. He boldly debated them. Saul wanted the Lord to break into their lives as Jesus had come into Saul’s life. But the Grecian Jews wanted to kill him, too. Once again it was time to leave for a safer place.
   Act 3. Acts 9:30 tells us Saul went to Tarsus, his hometown. Later In Acts 22:17 Saul (now known as Paul) explained going to Tarsus was Jesus’ command. “When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw the Lord speaking. ‘Quick!’ he said to me. ‘Leave Jerusalem immediately, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ 19 “‘Lord,” I replied, 'these men know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat those who believe in you. 20 And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ 21 “Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”
   Saul had been doing God’s work. And he seemed to have no desire to leave Jerusalem. But Saul was Jesus’ “chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.” (Acts 9:15) Jesus sent him back to his home in Tarsus. Why?
   Act 4. Galatians 1:21 Later I went to Syria and Cilicia. From his home in Tarsus in Cilicia, Saul began to preach the gospel. Yes, this is where many of Stephen’s and Saul’s persecutors came from. Saul ministers in power in Cilicia. Acts 15:41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
    This 4-Act salvation drama illustrates the Bible’s story. Through many people and circumstances, even those that are extremely difficult, God has shown us how he moves salvation’s revelation from one point to another. From Acts 6:9 to Acts 9:28-29 to Acts 9:30 and Acts 22:28 to Galatians 1:21 and Acts 15:41 we can understand God is a planner. He will accomplish his plans in his time. Let’s be thankful he’s called us to join his plan to boldly tell his story.
 
Job 42:2 “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.”