In The Word
Read: Acts 9:19b-31
19 and he took food and was strengthened.
Saul Begins to Preach Christ
Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus, 20 and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” 21 All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, “Is this not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name, and who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?”22 But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
23 When many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted together to do away with him,24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were also watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death; 25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket.
26 When he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death. 30 But when the brethren learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.
31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
After Saul’s conversion to Christ, he stayed with the disciples for several days in Damascus. We see Saul’s enthusiasm and passion for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ because he immediately began proclaiming in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. He had the Jews and others talking because they knew the old Saul, who would capture, persecute, and even murder Christians.
Later, Saul went to Jerusalem with the other disciples, but he wasn’t immediately accepted by them, due to their fear of him. Barnabas stood up for Saul, testifying about what the Lord had done in Saul and how he was a bold witness for Christ. It’s possible that your life might have been so horrific in sin before you were saved and changed by Jesus. You may even have people around you, both saved and unsaved, who aren’t sure if your salvation is real. There is a way for you to stay on the Ancient Path and prove them wrong and glorify Jesus Christ. You can be just like Saul and continue to increase in strength as you daily get in God’s Word, speak to the Lord in prayer, and immediately put into practice and obey His every word. Then, over time, your life will bear the undeniable fruit of the Spirit of God. Don’t ride the fence any longer, but choose today and each day to be on God’s side in every area of your life.