Sunday, February 24, 2019

A Transforming Vision (PT-2)

Acts 9:10-12  
"And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him 
said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 
And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is 
called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one 
called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And 
hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias 
coming in, and putting his hand on him,
that he might receive his sight. 

   Finally Saul was approached by a man named Ananias, a devout Jew who was also of the new faith. Through Ananias, Saul's blindness was healed; he was baptized and experienced the power of the Holy Spirit. Immediately, Saul began to proclaim his new faith in Jesus with some of the same vigor he had used before to defend the Law. He startled Jews and Christians in Damascus by entering their debates on the opposite side from the one they expected.
   When The Situation became dangerous, Saul did not return directly to Jerusalem but traveled south into Arabia, than a part of the Kingdom of Nabatea, and remained there two or three years, preaching and teaching. By the time he went back to Damascus, he had evidently become the object of such antagonism that King Aretas of Nabatea had the city guarded to prevent Saul's escape, (cf. Cor. 11:32). "But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket, (Acts 9:24-25).
   Paul  returned to Jerusalem, were many Christians had formerly suffered persecution at his hands. At that time he met only two of the church's leaders, Peter whom he called Cephas and James, the Lord's brother, (cf. Gal. 1:19), who was becoming the major voice of the Jerusalem community. Barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus was one of the original members of the Christian community in Jerusalem, he vouched for Paul and helped overcome the suspicion about him.
   Paul's very presence in Jerusalem was a conflict, however, he soon departed for Tarsus and spent the next several years working in Cilicia and Syria. Note: Acts 13:12, Is the event that marks the point at which time Saul becomes the leader of the missionary enterprise and begins to be called Paul and his company, instead of Barnabas and Saul. 
Amen!

Reading: Acts Chap. 9-13
Ref: HG SB
Devotional Notes And Scriptures

May God Bless You
And Your Family
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry


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