I guess one of the reasons I enjoy Acts so much is because of my history as a history teacher and a love for history. In my mind history is all about examples, patterns, and the lessons we can learn from them, both positive and negative.
Saul is one such example. After his salvation he had a meal, and then he got busy. He didn’t hang around and wait for support, he didn’t wait for training in His new faith, he just got busy. Of course there are dangers in doing so, but you have to admire his faith, boldness, and courage! The Bible says that he immediately preached Christ in the synagogue. Surely he knew the dangers; he had only shortly before been on his way to arrest those who did the same.
Obviously everyone was astounded, but Saul just got stronger and stronger. The Jews were confused and confounded by his teaching. It sounds like he made them question everything they had believed. Who better to prove that Jesus was the Christ than an Old Testament scholar? You have to wonder if he had not already been battling this in his mind since he was so ready to preach Jesus.
We are not privy to all that happened there, but we do know one thing – Saul got busy telling folks about Jesus the Messiah and Son of God. He knew he had everything to lose, yet he was about the task.
What are those of us who live in the freedom of the west going to lose if we follow his example? Let’s be totally honest – our price is tiny compared to the price Saul knew he might have to pay.
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