Alternate Visions

Then there was two. For centuries one religion had dominated the synagogues of Jerusalem.

Judaism was the way of the people. Other movements had risen up and fallen over the centuries. Nothing much came of these cultish groups. Christianity was different. It became evident that the Disciples of Christ, known as the people of the Way would not be silenced or die out on their own. Action would be required to suppress this new movement. Immediate action!

It became readily apparent that the Jewish leaders and the Apostles had radically alternate visions for the future. Conversely, they had great disagreements as to the interpretations of scripture. Keeping pace with their differences, Jewish leaders met and voted about what they ought to do, the Apostles met and prayed. The Jewish leadership had a meeting appointed Saul to “resolve” the issue of the Christians.

Saul latter know as Paul becomes the focal point of the remainder of the book of Acts. In chapter 9 we are shown a beautiful picture of God’s power to forgive, restore, and redeem fallen man. God works in marvelous ways and Saul is a shining example of that.  This chapter is a brief character study of Saul. In this chapter Luke accounts Saul’s conversion from being an outrageous persecutor of the gospel of Christ to be an illustrious professor and preacher of it.

Several themes emerge from this passage

I.                    Saul’s Depravity and self-deception

Saul was breathing threats and murder against the church. He was a blasphemer. Prior to experiencing God he was a man full of hatred, rage, and bitterness. Perhaps the worst thing of it all was he justified his outlandish behavior by claiming it was done in the name of God and religion. Later in life Paul writes to Timothy

Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. ~1 Timothy 1:13

                Saul acted as the one who controlled him. All those not in a relationship with Jesus Christ and have submitted themselves to Christ’s Lordship are under the oppression of Satan.  Satan our adversary has been given dominion over the earth and all those who choose to live separate from God. Satan possesses all those who are not part of the household of God. It is no surprise that the children of Satan imitate the ways of their father.

                Saul was acting like viscous cobra. Like the crafty serpent, Satan.   Matthew Henry compares Saul’s actions to that of a venous creature.

“ He(Saul) breathed death to the Christians, wherever he came; he puffed at them in his pride (Ps. 12:4, 5), spit his venom at them in his rage. Saul yet breathing thus intimates, (1.) That he still persisted in it; not satisfied with the blood of those he had slain, he still cries, Give, give. (2.) That he should shortly be of another mine; as yet he breathes out threatening and slaughter, but he has not long to live such a life as this, that breath will be stopped shortly.”

                He was cruel, ruthless, and arrogant. He pursued the church like a wild animal. Saul was a force to be reckoned with. He destroyed families. He had no regard for the like of those he persecuted. There is no doubt in my mind that he was controlled and used as a pawn of Satan, seeking to destroy the coming kingdom. He sought to devour the church and scare them out of following Christ. The reason for the persecution of Christians is that they posed the same threat as Christ: freedom from sin and oppression.

                Now Saul was a religious man; however he was religiously wrong. We must be careful that we don’t fall victim to the same trap! Let us be careful that in our pursuits we don’t become religiously wrong. He was a Hebrew of Hebrews, a Jew of Jews. He understood the Jewish religion better than anyone! He felt fully justified in killing those who opposed him in the name of GOD. Similarly we mow people down in the name of the church. We put up a knock out drag out fight in defense of our “rules” and traditions; yet like Saul we can be religiously wrong. Caution and reflection is needed so that we too do not become deceived and fall into the same trap as Saul.

II.                  God’s Sovereign Calling of Sinners

The joy of this passage is not Saul, nor of his radical conversion. Rather it is upon the sovereignty and grace of God calling sinful men like Saul to himself. What a beautiful picture it is that Jesus would call Saul to him and offer forgiveness and grace to the man who sought to destroy Christ’s followers.

Saul’s sudden revelation of God’s power of sovereignty is reflected in his writing to the Romans when he says

“While we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”

While he was living in sin and on his way to cause future havoc God showed up. In the midst of our wickedness God is there to call us home. Like a father who catches us red-handed. God is there, asking us that question that sends shills up your spine, “what are you doing?”  Sin will be found out and God calls sinners to salvation. What an amazing commentary on God unfailing love.

              

  Another point of interest is Saul’s humiliation. Saul was the man. He was the guy that had it all together. No one dared to cross him because he would kill you with his bare hands. He was a tough, rough, nasty man. Nothing stood in his way. He was brazen, and full of hate. 

Imagine this young big shot riding into town on his high horse, thinking of himself to be something great knocked of his horse by a beam of light. One moment he is riding tall dreaming of all the people who would run in fear at seeing him roll into town to kill of the Christian pests that have infested the area. He was a gladiator, an exterminator. He certainly imagined the fame and the monuments that would be erected in his honor in Jerusalem for eradicating the people of the way.

                God has a way of bringing down the proud. It is a time tested fact that God has the power to bring kings and kingdoms to their knees. He has done it from the very beginning and will continue till the end of this present age. God is the only one great and the only thing that is good in us. God exalts the humble and brings down the proud.

Saul did not know who or what had caused him to become completely defeated but he knew that this power was stronger than him. He responded to this mysterious voice saying:

“Who are You, Lord?”

Jesus meets sinners where they are at and call them to repentance. Saul was left with little choice at this point. He could have chosen to ignore Gods command, He could have cursed God; however, at this point blind humiliated and helpless he realized his only hope of regain his sight would be to follow Christ. How true is this of our conversion? God found us even when we did not seek Him

III.                Saul’s Radical Change.

Saul made a complete turnaround. We are told that something like scales fell from his eyes and his eyes were opened. Later Paul would write to the Corinthians telling them that those who are carnal cannot understand or perceive spiritual truths. Until the scales fall off our eyes we cannot receive the truth. The Holy Spirit is the one who enables us to receive the truth of Jesus sacrifice and the unfailing love of the Father. Until that point in which a person encounters God and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit the will not be motivated to repentance.

At the moment a person surrenders to the power of the Holy Spirit’s conviction and commits to following Christ and submitting to his Leadership in their life there are indwelled with power and given unique spiritual authority.

Salvation and God’s  redemptive work makes a holistic change in an individual’s life. Saul could not contain himself and began immediately sharing with people the truth and relating his experiences

What impact has God’s redemptive work made on your life?

Is there evidence of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in your life?

I pray that your life is controlled by the Spirit of God and that you may go out into this dark world and see the scales fall of the eyes of the lost.

God gives us your eyes!