Reading for today: Acts 9 19-31
Saul finds himself in a real dilemma. This most notorious Christian-hater has done an about-face, and is now one of the followers of Christ. But understandably, he is feared and distrusted by fellow believers because they knew his past reputation. On the other hand, he was resented and rejected by former associates of his past life. Right away he began to experience the fulfillment of a prediction the Lord had revealed to Ananias, "I will show him (Saul) how much he must suffer for My name's sake." (Acts 9:16)
The Holy Spirit has empowered Saul, and he is ready to hit the ground running! He doesn't sit around waiting for some sign from heaven to do something. Immediately, he goes to the synagogue and begins preaching that Jesus is the Son of God---the Messiah. And he is convincing! He was a master of logic, trained under Gamaliel, and a brilliant theologian of Judaism, and now he is proclaiming Christ in a most convincing fashion.
Vs.23 says, "After many days had gone by..." We don't know a lot about this time period. However, something mysterious happened during this time. In Galatians 1:17 Saul (Paul) indicates that he went off to Arabia and then returned again to Damascus. How long was he gone? And what took place there? Some say he was there for 3 years, but we do not know this for certain. While there we can safely assume that God was at work with him while he lived in solitude away from the masses.
The next verses relate the difficulties Saul faced. It seemed that everyone had their sights aimed on him. The unbelieving Jews tried to kill him in Damascus, but the Christ followers helped him escape. Then when he went to Jerusalem, the church there was dubious about him. Finally Barnabas comes to the rescue, and convinces the church to take this guy in. He's OK!
But it isn't long before the Grecian Jews tried to kill him. So, again, Saul's Christian brothers help him escape to Tarsus, which is Saul's birthplace. And so, with Saul out of the picture for a while, things settle down, the church enjoys a time of peace, and the Holy Spirit helps the church to continue to grow.
The rejection of Paul by his former associates in hating the Christians would have been understood by Saul. However, the distrust and slowness in acceptance by his fellow believers must have been difficult for Saul to deal with. I wonder how I would have responded to Saul coming into my circle of believers? Would I have been willing to embrace him as a fellow believer, or would I have forced him to prove himself before I extended a hand of friendship?
Tomorrow: Even the dead come back to life!
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2 comments:
Paul was a brillant person. However, most of the Jews were not accepting of the notion that Jesus was the Christ. Christians were not ready to trust him, though. Barnabas had earned the trust of the apostles and was able come alongside Paul and usher him into the group. Barnabas' Christ-like action was convicting to me.
Me, to. I only hope that when an opportunity like that ever comes my way that I will respond as Barnabas did. He was willing to take a chance on Saul
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