Saul of Tarsus
Saul Persecutor of Jesus Christ Receives Salvation
Welcome to another Bible Study in our Acts of the Apostle Bible Study Series, “Saul of Tarsus Stepped in his Purpose – Preach Jesus Christ”. Today’s main reference is from Acts 9: 23 – 31.
Saul the persecutor of Jesus Christ (the Church) has received salvation. He had an experience with Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus to persecute the Christians who were there.
Now the tables are turned on Saul. His former bosses and religious cohorts have turned on him. They planned his assassination and were waiting for an opportunity to execute it!
From this, point in Scriptures Acts 9:23, all of Saul’s sufferings will be for the Holy name of Jesus Christ. This is according to his purpose as Christ informed him, Acts 9:15 – 16. Saul will experience great suffering because he teach and preach Jesus Christ.
Saul’s assassins were diligent in there desire and attempts to kill him for “And they watched the gates – of the city – day and night to kill him,” Acts 9:24.
To prevent Saul’s certain death the disciples of Damascus became creative. Instead of Saul using the gate to exit the city they “let him down by the wall in a basket” by night, Acts 9:25.
There’s a popular saying, jump out of the frying pan into the fire, to an extent that phrase described Saul’s current situation. Saul managed to avoid his assassins in Damascus; however, in Jerusalem a similar scenario repeats itself.
“And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him,” Acts 9:29
Now Saul Persecuted Because he Calls on and by the Name of Jesus
This same thing happened in Jerusalem for the same reason it occurred in Damascus, Saul boldly preached Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Wherever Saul goes, he will preach and teach Jesus Christ and may suffer for it because he caused the church to suffer. Now Saul was not persecuting Jesus Christ but preaching him. However, because of his past sins against the church he is now facing all these attempted assassinations of his life. Even though the Lord forgave Saul for his actions against him these past sins have consequences.
Saul persecuted and murdered many because they were called by the name of Jesus Christ. Now Saul will be persecuted because he calls on the name of Jesus. Eventually, he too will be murdered because of the name of Jesus. As he did to Christians so too it’s done to him. However, before Saul can be murdered he must accomplish his purpose; preach Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, to kings and to the Children of Israel.
Owing to the fact, the Grecians in Jerusalem was trying to kill Saul the disciples had to send him away. This was the reason Saul fled from Damascus and now the have to send him to Caesarea and then to Tarsus because they seek to kill him.
Church Had Rest From Persecution When Saul Accepted Jesus Christ
In closing, the Christians in Jerusalem and its environs got rest from persecution when Saul accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. Similarly, your purpose or calling will provide “rest” to the body of Christ in a crucial area.
The “rest” that you provide may be a “voice” for Jesus Christ. Probably, before you accepted your purpose and calling from Jesus Christ there was no voice to quite the blasphemies and incorrect teachings about the name of Jesus Christ. But now the body of Christ can rest assured your voice will stop or silence the blasphemy against the name of Jesus Christ.
“Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied,” Acts 9:31.
All this happened because Saul of Tarsus accepted his calling, his purpose and preached Jesus Christ. Like Saul accept your God given purpose and serve your King Jesus Christ.
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