Acts 26:12-18

                                                                 Acts 26:12-18

“In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

 

As Paul continues to recount his testimony to Agrippa, he speaks of both his conversion and his calling.  Paul wants to make sure that this trial is not only about defending himself but that it is a Gospel presentation to Agrippa and all who are in the court that day.  One of the most powerful ways to witness to others is through our own testimony and experience.  However, as we share our story, the truth of the Gospel must always be made clear.

 

JESUS CONFRONTS PAUL: Paul was on his way to fulfill what he thought was a service to God or what he would have called the “right thing.”  Jesus interrupted that process in Paul’s life by showing up in the middle of the day in a form that was brighter than the sun.  Jesus talks to him in an audible voice and simply asks: why all this persecution?  Paul’s response of who are you Lord? Is very interesting.  Paul recognized that whoever this bright light is, must be greater than he is and so he addresses him as Lord.  Jesus asks another interesting question about life being difficult pressing against the goad.  Jesus knows what is going on in Paul’s mind.  While on the outside Paul might have appeared to be a confident leader; on the inside he was being tormented by his actions.  Jesus interrupts Paul’s path and confronts him with what He knows is going on in his conscience already.  When people are rejecting Christ and living according to their own set of beliefs, no matter how confident they look, it is likely they are having struggles in their conscience.  Pray for the Lord to confront them and be willing to be used of God as a voice of confrontation.

 

JESUS COMMISSIONS PAUL: Paul was completely sold out to one mission and now Jesus is calling him to be even more sold out to the mission He is giving him.  His call is to be a witness.  This was the same call that Jesus gave to His disciples.  They were to be witnesses of what they had seen.  Jesus made it clear that there would be additional things about which he was to testify.  However, Jesus promises Paul to deliver him from both his Jewish and Gentile persecutors along the way.  The message Paul was to announce was one that would open the eyes of the Gentiles so they could turn from darkness and Satan to light and God.  This would bring about forgiveness of sin and an eternal dwelling with God through faith.  The message of the Gospel involves turning and trusting.  The results of the Gospel are forgiveness of sin and the presence of God for eternity.  This is the message Paul is proclaiming to Agrippa and the message we must proclaim to all nations.  We too have been commissioned as witnesses. 

 

APPLICATION: Pray for God to confront people around the world with the error of the way they are walking.  Know that all who reject Christ are living in a crisis of conscience.  Be willing to be a voice of confrontation from God to those whom He puts in your path.  Witness regularly of the things that God has done in your life.  Tell others of you own experience.  Call others to turn from their current lives of darkness to trust Christ alone for forgiveness and to live forever in the presence of God.

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