About Face

Acts 9:21-24

But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

Indeed, all were amazed that had eyes, ears, or any spiritual discernment at all. See, these people were not stupid nor were they blind. All that had been happening was no surprise to any. The people thought they knew it all, but it was only half a picture. Here is the temptation seen to only tell the human half of the story. The Jews thought the church in Jerusalem had been destroyed. They thought it was over. Really, it was only the beginning. See, as I said before in Genesis 50:20, all that happened God turned into good. The situation is better, and the church is blessed. How many of you know the church there was still alive and well thanks to the power of God. Saul had come with a devil's purpose to seek, bind, and carry away. But such was not to be. God himself bound Saul to a kingdom purpose. Now he stands as a witness to the power and purpose of God. To me, it matters not whether Saul had any learning of doctrinal matters. This is done for two reasons. First, when God calls you, he will keep you. Second, we see that where God calls you, he will teach you. He might have started out only holding the Jew's cloaks and seeing a few dusty piles of scrolls half hidden in the synagogues. On the other hand, he might as well have sat under every learned scholar of that day.

See, Christ is the leader; as such he tells you all things of John 14:26. Or he tells as much as you need to know, anyway. Saul increased in strength because of the Lord's power. So also, he grew in knowledge from the early church and the Lord. But even if he knew nothing, seeing him there would have counted for something. But the power with which it took place shocked a few, of that you may be sure. See, both Saul and Ananias's testimony would prove it beyond all doubt. Some are fond of saying that the gospel does not come alone. For indeed, it will not. The mouth of two witnesses spoken of in Deuteronomy 19:15 verified the truth of all that had happened. Ananias might not have been present for the synagogue services; but believe me, his testimony yet spoke. All Saul could do was open his mouth. Then the people would have heard about how God gave him strength, healed his eyes, and restored his brother. How many of you know some say-so believers like that today. Let the redeemed of the Lord stand up from Psalm 107:2 and say so.

And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

My, Saul keeps getting into these scrapes; we will soon see them become escapes. But first, we must discuss somewhat of these evangelists. I have seen televangelists, modern evangelists, post-modern evangelists, and heard of the old-time fire and brimstone preachers. But never in all my born days have I seen or heard of a hit-and-run evangelism. They just do not seem to make them like they used to anymore. Which I cannot for the life of me, figure out why not. This sort of person has absolutely nothing to lose, and only Heaven to gain. My friends, at the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7:56 the heavens were opened. He looked up from there on the ground and saw Jesus. This same light shone down around Saul on the conversion road. So also, he knew the man caught up into third heaven with or without his body. Sometimes I wonder if these things contributed to his reckless style. Therein is the absolute wild abandonment of taking Jesus at his word. Oh, to trust God so much that nothing seems to stop you. It is the confidence of a man that knows he is covered between the here and the there. I could focus on the Jews waiting to kill him in Damascus. They laid in wait as in Genesis 4:7. They crouched almost like Cain did to Abel and sin did unto Cain. Saul's own style of hit-and-run evangelism reflects the nature of his calling. But more than that, God called him to do no more than preach the gospel. So, preach it he did to all who would listen. For this cause, God helped Saul escape from the traps upon his life set for him. At any time, Saul could have become another Stephen but for the power of God who kept him. At any time, the demonic could have wanted him back. How many of you know that even there, God will keep you. Even then he will walk beside you so that no matter who is looking, they will not find you because of the power of God.