The Content of the Message

Imagine living two thousand years ago, and being one of the first converts to Christianity. Imagine abandoning generations of family, religion, tradition, either Jewish or pagan, and being forsaken by your family and friends. To top it all off, if you were Jewish, imagine coming across a man named Saul of Tarsus.

The book of Acts introduces us to a zealous man named Saul who brought great persecution against the body of Christ. In Chapter 8 verse 3 it says that Saul made havock of the church, entering in to every home. Imagine saying your prayers at night and tucking your children in, trying to calm yourself enough to get some rest, dreading that unnerving sound of someone beating on your door in the middle of the night to take you away.

Saul had also consented to the death of Stephen and I'm sure many others. I suppose only God knows how many lives were ended, and how many families broken as a result of Saul of Tarsus.

Act 8:3 (KJV)  As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

Act 9:1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

Act 9:2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

But Saul's life was about to change. You see Saul truly wanted to serve God and that's exactly what he thought he was doing. And because of his willingness, God was about to give him a chance to do just that. So one day on the road to Damascus, Saul encountered God.

Conversion on the Way to Damascus(1601), byCaravaggio

After quite a miraculous encounter, Saul's zeal against the church was turned into Paul's zeal for the church. In the midst of this ordeal God asks a man named Ananias to go and meet with Paul. Not surprisingly his response was "are you sure Lord". Ananias was very familiar with a man name Saul who had done much evil to the saints of God. But you notice that when Ananias obeys God and goes to the house to meet Saul he calls him brother.

Act 9:17And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord,even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

It is understandable knowing Saul's history how a man like Ananias would be skeptical of Saul's conversion and therein lies the lesson in this story. In the months and years to come imagine being Paul and traveling from town to town and house church to house church and walking into someone's home and coming face to face with a woman and a child, then asking where their father is only to find out that he was put to death by your consent. Imagine how incredibly hard it would be to invite the man who had your husband killed into your home. How uncomfortable, how awkward, what would your friends think of you? You must be out of your mind! And not only are you letting him into your house but you are feeding him and then letting him teach you and your family how to serve God. If every Christian at that time would have rejected Paul's message based on his past it would have been completely understandable. But oh where would we be today?

18:13 (KJV)  He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

Pro 12:15 (KJV)  The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

In our own lives, how many of us reject biblical principles and sound advice for so much less an offense? How many times does a friend or a parent give us biblical instruction or good advice, and because we don't want to humble ourselves and receive it, we throw their past in their faces? Who are you to tell me what to do? I know who you used to be! You aren't any better than me. I've heard what you used to be like when you were my age, and on and on it goes.

Pro 13:10  Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

In the future I would encourage everyone to judge a message by it's content and not by the messenger.

Pro 19:20 (KJV)  Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.