November 6, 2025 • 18 mins
In this Bible Story, the evil intentions of Saul the persecutor is thwarted by the presence of Jesus himself. As Saul is on the road to drag Christians out of their homes and imprison them, Jesus throws him off his horse and blinds him. For three days, Saul wept in darkness. But his sight is restored, and he could see the true light of Christ. This story is inspired by Acts 9:1-31. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.
Today's Bible verse is Acts 9:4 from the King James Version.
Episode 223: Saul, filled with rage, was a force against all who claimed the name of Christ. He was on his way to Damascus to gather any Christians he could find there to be tried and executed. While traveling, a light brighter than anything he had ever known appeared before him, and out of this light spoke the voice of Jesus. Blinded by the light, Saul was led by his companions to a house in Damascus. There he would wait for three days until Ananias was sent by God to heal and restore him. From that time on, he began to teach the people the message of Christ instead.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Let us pray, and he fell to earth and heard
a voice saying, unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
Acts nine four. Thank you Jesus that through the life
of Saul, I can declare that no one is outside
(00:20):
the reach of our loving Savior. Thank you God that
you are constantly reminding me that no matter how far
I go, no matter how out of touch with you,
I seem that at any given moment, you can and
you will do whatever is necessary to grab my attention
to bring me back to you. Like Saul on his
(00:45):
road to Damascus. When I am off track, remind me
of who I am. Speak to me with the same
boldness that you spoke to him. For I now understand
that my purpose is more important than my comfort. Let
me carry the same mindset into every day life. When
(01:07):
I see others being ridiculed by somebody because of who
they used to be. Let this story Enacts nine serve
as a reminder that no one is outside of the
grasp of your love. Continue to transform my heart not
only from the inside, but do a mighty work so
(01:30):
that it can be seen on the outside as a
tribute to who you are and the power that you
possess to turn a life around. Thank you for restoring
my sight so I can see that there is more
in store for me in Jesus name. Amen. Thanks for
(01:53):
making prayer a priority in your life. To hear the
Bible come to life, Stay tuned for the Bible any Year.
Brought to you by Bible in a Year dot com.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Saul and the Light. In our last story, Philip was
used to preach the Gospel in Somearia. He preached in
the desert to an Ethiopian official and baptized him. Now
we peer into the dark heart of Saul. His corrupt
and evil mind was filled with hatred towards Jesus and
the Church. Yet no man is immune to the loving
(02:33):
touch of Christ. No amount of hatred could ever darken
the light of God's Son. Inspired by the Book of Acts.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
We're so glad you've joined us on the Bible in
a Year podcast today. The Bible in a Year podcast
is an outreach of PowerPoint Ministries and can only come
to you each week through the support of listeners just
like you. Your support today is so important that we
want to think thank you for your gift by giving
you a copy of my book called the Jesus Book.
(03:04):
It is a powerful guide that shows how every book
of the Bible points to Jesus and how his living word,
the truth of God's Word, will transform your life. So
to get a copy of the Jesus Book, simply go
to Jack Graham dot org slash Jesus. That's Jack Graham
dot org slash Jesus and thank you for your support.
(03:27):
In yesterday's episode, we heard how Saul's persecution of the
Church had led to a great scattering of believers, a
dispersion of Christians. What the enemy meant for evil to
stop God's work in the world ultimately led to the
message of Jesus spreading far beyond Jerusalem and even beyond
Israel itself. We heard how Philips shared the good news
(03:48):
with an Ethiopian man, who then took the message of
salvation with him to the ends of the earth. Today
we'll hear how Saul, in the midst of his campaign
to destroy the Church and the message of Jesus, encounters
the very one that he is persecuting. It is on
the road to Damascus. He will be physically blinded, but
have his spiritual eyes open to the truth of who
(04:11):
Jesus is and there receive the highest calling of all,
which is to take the very message that he wanted
to destroy to the ends of the earth. Let's listen
now to today's reading.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
His every breath was filled with hatred and murder, filled
with zealous rage. Towards the church. Saul stood under the
torch light in the courthouse. He watched as the temple
judge put pen to parchment. The words gave him complete
authority to drag any man, woman, or child into the
city streets and end them. The letters were his license
(04:46):
to kill. Saul took the letters and shoved them into
his bag. He slung it over his shoulder and left
the temple in a fury. He mounted his horse and
rode in the night towards Damascus. There he would round
up every li Las Christian like cattle. He would put
an end to the life of Jesus once and for all.
The darkness was draped heavily over the skies as Saul rode.
(05:10):
The stars were hidden by thick clouds. Saul's heart was
as black as the night. He was held bent on
destroying the followers of Jesus. He despised their gospel. It
was a direct threat to everything he had built his
life upon. Piety, holiness, and perfection. These were Sal's goals.
(05:30):
He desired power, he desired holiness. He desired for God
to approve of him because of his actions, not some
act of grace or mercy. Saul wanted to earn God's love.
Saul's horse rode violently into the cold, dark nothingness. The
road ahead of him was barely seen by a small
torch Saul held in his hand. Damascus was not too
(05:53):
far away. All of a sudden, Saul's torch snuffed out,
and his horse stopped abruptly. With his light removed, Saul
could see nothing. The silent and dark night was maddening.
Saul breathed heavily, trying to restore the flames on his torch,
to no avail. Then, like the night was being pierced
by a blade, a bright light cut through the blackness.
(06:16):
The jagged light surrounded him. Saul's eyes could barely stand
the brilliance around him. As the light rushed forward, Saul
was bucked off of his horse. He hit the ground
with force, and his horse ran away. A voice as
clear as can be spoke through the light. Saul Saul.
The voice said, why are you persecuting me? Saul stood
(06:40):
to his feet, trying to see who dwelled behind the radiance.
Speaker 3 (06:44):
Who are you?
Speaker 2 (06:44):
He asked, with panic in his voice. Who is speaking?
The light danced in a hundred different directions like a
weaved tapestry. It is I, Jesus, the one whom you
have persecuted. Why are you kicking against the goads? Why
do you deny who I have called you to be.
The men who were following Saul could hear the voice,
(07:07):
but could not see the bright light dancing around Saul.
They saw him on his knees panicking as he listened
to the terrifying voice of Jesus. Saul fell to his
face and closed his eyes. Then the light vanished, Silence
returned to the dark night, and flames were restored to
Saul's torch. However, Saul opened his eyes to discover he
(07:29):
was blind. Saul's companions led him by the hand to Damascus.
There he lay in bed for three days, silently seeking
answers from God. He neither ate nor drank. He simply
waited until God spoke to him about what he had
seen and heard. There was a believer in Damascus named Anoneus.
(07:51):
He was an older man and very attentive to the
will and direction of God. Early in the morning, he
sought the voice of Christ. As he prayed, the silent
and prompting of God's spirits spoke to him. Rise. He said,
not too far from here, in the house of Judas,
there is a man named Saul. He is praying and
seeking God. You must go to him and tell him
(08:14):
of me. Anonius shook his head. Lord, I have heard
of this man. He is the cause of much evil
to your people. His hands are stained red with the
blood of believers. Go for I have chosen him to
carry my name and proclaim me to the gentiles. I
will show him how much he will do and suffer
in my name, the Lord answered. So Anonius packed a
(08:38):
small bag and left for the home where Saul was waiting.
Saul was still shrouded in darkness in the night. He
closed his eyes and saw visions of a man named Anonius,
but all was a blur. To Saul. Everything was confusing.
He did not know what the Lord was doing. As
Paul sat in darkness, his heart began to soften. All
(09:00):
heard the door creak open brother Saul. A voice said,
I am Anonius, I have been sent by Jesus to
heal you. Saul's heart ached when he heard the name
of Jesus. The words of the bright light still echoed
in his mind. Tears fell from Saul's blind eyes. Then,
(09:20):
as Anonias prayed over him, Saul began to regain his sight.
It was as if scales were peeling away. In that moment,
Saul's heart was changed. He not only saw the daylight,
but he saw the light of Jesus. He understood in
a moment all the things he had done. It was overwhelming.
(09:40):
After being baptized, Saul presented himself to some of the
disciples at Damascus. They were the ones he planned to
kidnap and kill. They watched as he entered the room
with his head held low. They were skeptical, but could
clearly see that something was different about him. Peter sat
among them. He was protective over the rest of the
day disciples. He did not want a wolf among sheep.
(10:04):
Who is Jesus, he asked plainly. There was a long pause.
Saul's face was filled with anguish and regret. He remembered
what he had done and what he had said, there
was blood on his hands. He is the son of God.
Saul answered. As he said these words, the entire room gasped.
They were amazed that Jesus had touched the heart of
(10:26):
someone so dark and so evil. Is this not the
man who watched as Stephan was stoned. Someone shouted, he
has probably come to kidnap Us and bind Us. But
Saul remained with the disciples for a long while and
learned under them. He listened to their words, he prayed
with tenderness. Day by day they watched this once evil
(10:48):
man turn into a minister of grace. Soon he appeared
in front of the Jews and Damascus and proclaimed the
truth of Jesus as the Christ, so much that they
plotted to kill him. So the Apostle lowered him down
and sent him back to Jerusalem with Barnabas. Thus began
the epic journey of the suffering servant of Christ. The
(11:08):
man who once sought the lives of Christians would lay
his life down daily for the advancement of the Gospel.
Saul's life would prove as a symbol to all those
who feel like they are too lost to come to God.
He is proof that nobody is outside the reach of
a tender and loving savior.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
Saul is relentlessly pursuing the followers of Jesus, determined to
destroy once and for all this new movement, the Christian
faith that is threatening everything that he holds dear, all
of his traditions, all of his religion. Saul was zealous
for God, but he was misguided. He's still stuck in
(11:50):
the chains of legalism and good works, unable to understand
who Jesus is despite his years of studying the law
and prophets. So Saul pa asked the High Priest for
letters to the temple in Damascus, authorizing him to round
up as many Christians as he could, people known as
followers of the Way, and then to throw them in
(12:10):
jail are worse. But God had other plans, and in
today's reading we hear how God went to supernatural links
to reach Saul and to stop him in his tracks.
For there on the road to Damascus, on his way
to destroy the church, Saul was blinded by the light
of heaven. This is the resurrected Christ himself. There on
(12:33):
the ground, Saul could see nothing but the glorious light
of Christ and the voice that came to him. This
is Jesus asking Paul, why are you persecuting me? Jesus,
as Saul, why are you fighting against me? And what
I am telling you to do? You see, though Saul
did not yet know it, God had a heavenly high
(12:55):
calling and purpose for him. God would not take away
this man's zeal or deep understanding of truth and scriptures. Rather,
he would fulfill the scriptures in the life of Saul,
and he would become the great missionary of the Church. So,
after being knocked off his horse, Saul then blindly stands
to his feet, and already God is changing him. Jesus
(13:17):
is changing him, for when he opens his eyes, he
found that he could not see. Saul is now physically blind.
And for many years he had lived in spiritual darkness
and blindness and had physical sight. But now the tables
are turned. God had begun to open his spiritual eyes,
but he is blind and helpless. His companions lead him
(13:40):
to Damascus, where he stayed for three days, fasting and
drinking nothing. As Saul waited, not knowing what would come next,
God was working behind the scenes as he always is.
He appeared at a vision to a believer in Damascus
a man named Ananias, and God told him that he
was to go to Saul. Understandly, Annius was concerned because
(14:03):
he had heard about Saul, how vicious he was, how
he was attacking Christians and attempting to destroy the church.
Did God really want Anonaius to go talk to this man.
Notice that God did not chastise him or get angry
for his questions. He simply affirmed the command and explained
his purpose, saying in Acts nine, verses fifteen and sixteen,
(14:26):
go for he that is Saul, is a chosen instrument
of Mine to carry my name before the gentiles and
the kings and the children of Israel. For I will
show him how much he must suffer for the sake
of my name. Anonius, what a great man, then obediently
fulfilled his calling. And he went to Saul, and he
(14:47):
laid hands on him, and immediately he embraces him and
calls him brother. This man who was an enemy of
the Church is now being called brother, a part of
the family of God. Don't miss the important and the
significance of this. Not every one of us would have
been so quick to embrace Saul. But Anonius, knowing that
(15:07):
God had a great purpose for this man, and trusting
in God's will, welcomed Saul and prayed for him to
receive the Holy Spirit. In that instance, Saul's eyesight was restored,
the scales of his eyes fell, and he now sees again.
Saul was then baptized and immediately is transformed into a
(15:28):
force for the Gospel, a fearless, faithful evangelist who had
spread the Gospel, pointing others to Jesus everywhere he went.
The disciples were confounded and confused and a little uneasy.
But as they heard this man preach, as Saul witnessed
of the good News, they were sure now that he
is a changed man, and the murderer becomes a missionary.
(15:52):
Soon Saul returned to Jerusalem, but when he tried to
join the disciples there again, he was faced with some
fear and skepticism. But a man by the name of Barnabas,
just as Anonias had done, welcomed his new brother in Christ.
He stood up for Saul before the disciples, and then
Saul was accepted, joining those in Jerusalem, boldly preaching Christ
(16:15):
to all who would listen. It wouldn't be long that
Saul would face the same oppression and opposition and persecution
that he had brought to the church. Now he was
the hated and hunted one. But nothing would stop this man.
He was unstoppable. Saul is an incredible testimony to God's
power to redeem and change even the most lost and
(16:36):
hopeless person. Saul would carry God's grace to the ends
of the world, fueled by the power and the passion
of the Spirit within him, and both Jews and Gentiles
everywhere would believe the saving message of Christ because the
man who hated Christians is now becoming the greatest Christian
who ever lived. Let's pray together, Dear God, thank you
(16:59):
for today scripture which reminds us of your great grace,
your amazing grace that can take us when we're going
the wrong direction and turn our lives around so that
we can become your followers. We know this is all
true because Jesus is alive, because you are risen Lord,
and we follow you and trust in you and obey you.
(17:19):
And may we be bold in our witness, using our
own testimonies to tell the world who Jesus is. For
we pray in Christ's name. Amen. Thank you for listening
to today's Bible into your Podcast, And before we go,
I wanted to let you know that the Bible into
your Podcast is an outreach of PowerPoint Ministries and can
(17:41):
only come to you each week through the support of
listeners like you. Your support today is so important that
we want to thank you for your gift by giving
you a copy of my book called The Jesus Book.
This book is a powerful guide that shows how every
book in the Bible points to Christ and how you
can better read and understand the Bible and how God's
(18:04):
Word transforms our lives. So to get your copy of
The Jesus Book, simply go to Jaggraham dot org slash Jesus.
That's Jaggraham dot org slash Jesus and thank you for
your support.
Let us pray, and he fell to earth and heard
a voice saying, unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
Acts nine four. Thank you Jesus that through the life
of Saul, I can declare that no one is outside
(00:20):
the reach of our loving Savior. Thank you God that
you are constantly reminding me that no matter how far
I go, no matter how out of touch with you,
I seem that at any given moment, you can and
you will do whatever is necessary to grab my attention
to bring me back to you. Like Saul on his
(00:45):
road to Damascus. When I am off track, remind me
of who I am. Speak to me with the same
boldness that you spoke to him. For I now understand
that my purpose is more important than my comfort. Let
me carry the same mindset into every day life. When
(01:07):
I see others being ridiculed by somebody because of who
they used to be. Let this story Enacts nine serve
as a reminder that no one is outside of the
grasp of your love. Continue to transform my heart not
only from the inside, but do a mighty work so
(01:30):
that it can be seen on the outside as a
tribute to who you are and the power that you
possess to turn a life around. Thank you for restoring
my sight so I can see that there is more
in store for me in Jesus name. Amen. Thanks for
(01:53):
making prayer a priority in your life. To hear the
Bible come to life, Stay tuned for the Bible any Year.
Brought to you by Bible in a Year dot com.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Saul and the Light. In our last story, Philip was
used to preach the Gospel in Somearia. He preached in
the desert to an Ethiopian official and baptized him. Now
we peer into the dark heart of Saul. His corrupt
and evil mind was filled with hatred towards Jesus and
the Church. Yet no man is immune to the loving
(02:33):
touch of Christ. No amount of hatred could ever darken
the light of God's Son. Inspired by the Book of Acts.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
We're so glad you've joined us on the Bible in
a Year podcast today. The Bible in a Year podcast
is an outreach of PowerPoint Ministries and can only come
to you each week through the support of listeners just
like you. Your support today is so important that we
want to think thank you for your gift by giving
you a copy of my book called the Jesus Book.
(03:04):
It is a powerful guide that shows how every book
of the Bible points to Jesus and how his living word,
the truth of God's Word, will transform your life. So
to get a copy of the Jesus Book, simply go
to Jack Graham dot org slash Jesus. That's Jack Graham
dot org slash Jesus and thank you for your support.
(03:27):
In yesterday's episode, we heard how Saul's persecution of the
Church had led to a great scattering of believers, a
dispersion of Christians. What the enemy meant for evil to
stop God's work in the world ultimately led to the
message of Jesus spreading far beyond Jerusalem and even beyond
Israel itself. We heard how Philips shared the good news
(03:48):
with an Ethiopian man, who then took the message of
salvation with him to the ends of the earth. Today
we'll hear how Saul, in the midst of his campaign
to destroy the Church and the message of Jesus, encounters
the very one that he is persecuting. It is on
the road to Damascus. He will be physically blinded, but
have his spiritual eyes open to the truth of who
(04:11):
Jesus is and there receive the highest calling of all,
which is to take the very message that he wanted
to destroy to the ends of the earth. Let's listen
now to today's reading.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
His every breath was filled with hatred and murder, filled
with zealous rage. Towards the church. Saul stood under the
torch light in the courthouse. He watched as the temple
judge put pen to parchment. The words gave him complete
authority to drag any man, woman, or child into the
city streets and end them. The letters were his license
(04:46):
to kill. Saul took the letters and shoved them into
his bag. He slung it over his shoulder and left
the temple in a fury. He mounted his horse and
rode in the night towards Damascus. There he would round
up every li Las Christian like cattle. He would put
an end to the life of Jesus once and for all.
The darkness was draped heavily over the skies as Saul rode.
(05:10):
The stars were hidden by thick clouds. Saul's heart was
as black as the night. He was held bent on
destroying the followers of Jesus. He despised their gospel. It
was a direct threat to everything he had built his
life upon. Piety, holiness, and perfection. These were Sal's goals.
(05:30):
He desired power, he desired holiness. He desired for God
to approve of him because of his actions, not some
act of grace or mercy. Saul wanted to earn God's love.
Saul's horse rode violently into the cold, dark nothingness. The
road ahead of him was barely seen by a small
torch Saul held in his hand. Damascus was not too
(05:53):
far away. All of a sudden, Saul's torch snuffed out,
and his horse stopped abruptly. With his light removed, Saul
could see nothing. The silent and dark night was maddening.
Saul breathed heavily, trying to restore the flames on his torch,
to no avail. Then, like the night was being pierced
by a blade, a bright light cut through the blackness.
(06:16):
The jagged light surrounded him. Saul's eyes could barely stand
the brilliance around him. As the light rushed forward, Saul
was bucked off of his horse. He hit the ground
with force, and his horse ran away. A voice as
clear as can be spoke through the light. Saul Saul.
The voice said, why are you persecuting me? Saul stood
(06:40):
to his feet, trying to see who dwelled behind the radiance.
Speaker 3 (06:44):
Who are you?
Speaker 2 (06:44):
He asked, with panic in his voice. Who is speaking?
The light danced in a hundred different directions like a
weaved tapestry. It is I, Jesus, the one whom you
have persecuted. Why are you kicking against the goads? Why
do you deny who I have called you to be.
The men who were following Saul could hear the voice,
(07:07):
but could not see the bright light dancing around Saul.
They saw him on his knees panicking as he listened
to the terrifying voice of Jesus. Saul fell to his
face and closed his eyes. Then the light vanished, Silence
returned to the dark night, and flames were restored to
Saul's torch. However, Saul opened his eyes to discover he
(07:29):
was blind. Saul's companions led him by the hand to Damascus.
There he lay in bed for three days, silently seeking
answers from God. He neither ate nor drank. He simply
waited until God spoke to him about what he had
seen and heard. There was a believer in Damascus named Anoneus.
(07:51):
He was an older man and very attentive to the
will and direction of God. Early in the morning, he
sought the voice of Christ. As he prayed, the silent
and prompting of God's spirits spoke to him. Rise. He said,
not too far from here, in the house of Judas,
there is a man named Saul. He is praying and
seeking God. You must go to him and tell him
(08:14):
of me. Anonius shook his head. Lord, I have heard
of this man. He is the cause of much evil
to your people. His hands are stained red with the
blood of believers. Go for I have chosen him to
carry my name and proclaim me to the gentiles. I
will show him how much he will do and suffer
in my name, the Lord answered. So Anonius packed a
(08:38):
small bag and left for the home where Saul was waiting.
Saul was still shrouded in darkness in the night. He
closed his eyes and saw visions of a man named Anonius,
but all was a blur. To Saul. Everything was confusing.
He did not know what the Lord was doing. As
Paul sat in darkness, his heart began to soften. All
(09:00):
heard the door creak open brother Saul. A voice said,
I am Anonius, I have been sent by Jesus to
heal you. Saul's heart ached when he heard the name
of Jesus. The words of the bright light still echoed
in his mind. Tears fell from Saul's blind eyes. Then,
(09:20):
as Anonias prayed over him, Saul began to regain his sight.
It was as if scales were peeling away. In that moment,
Saul's heart was changed. He not only saw the daylight,
but he saw the light of Jesus. He understood in
a moment all the things he had done. It was overwhelming.
(09:40):
After being baptized, Saul presented himself to some of the
disciples at Damascus. They were the ones he planned to
kidnap and kill. They watched as he entered the room
with his head held low. They were skeptical, but could
clearly see that something was different about him. Peter sat
among them. He was protective over the rest of the
day disciples. He did not want a wolf among sheep.
(10:04):
Who is Jesus, he asked plainly. There was a long pause.
Saul's face was filled with anguish and regret. He remembered
what he had done and what he had said, there
was blood on his hands. He is the son of God.
Saul answered. As he said these words, the entire room gasped.
They were amazed that Jesus had touched the heart of
(10:26):
someone so dark and so evil. Is this not the
man who watched as Stephan was stoned. Someone shouted, he
has probably come to kidnap Us and bind Us. But
Saul remained with the disciples for a long while and
learned under them. He listened to their words, he prayed
with tenderness. Day by day they watched this once evil
(10:48):
man turn into a minister of grace. Soon he appeared
in front of the Jews and Damascus and proclaimed the
truth of Jesus as the Christ, so much that they
plotted to kill him. So the Apostle lowered him down
and sent him back to Jerusalem with Barnabas. Thus began
the epic journey of the suffering servant of Christ. The
(11:08):
man who once sought the lives of Christians would lay
his life down daily for the advancement of the Gospel.
Saul's life would prove as a symbol to all those
who feel like they are too lost to come to God.
He is proof that nobody is outside the reach of
a tender and loving savior.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
Saul is relentlessly pursuing the followers of Jesus, determined to
destroy once and for all this new movement, the Christian
faith that is threatening everything that he holds dear, all
of his traditions, all of his religion. Saul was zealous
for God, but he was misguided. He's still stuck in
(11:50):
the chains of legalism and good works, unable to understand
who Jesus is despite his years of studying the law
and prophets. So Saul pa asked the High Priest for
letters to the temple in Damascus, authorizing him to round
up as many Christians as he could, people known as
followers of the Way, and then to throw them in
(12:10):
jail are worse. But God had other plans, and in
today's reading we hear how God went to supernatural links
to reach Saul and to stop him in his tracks.
For there on the road to Damascus, on his way
to destroy the church, Saul was blinded by the light
of heaven. This is the resurrected Christ himself. There on
(12:33):
the ground, Saul could see nothing but the glorious light
of Christ and the voice that came to him. This
is Jesus asking Paul, why are you persecuting me? Jesus,
as Saul, why are you fighting against me? And what
I am telling you to do? You see, though Saul
did not yet know it, God had a heavenly high
(12:55):
calling and purpose for him. God would not take away
this man's zeal or deep understanding of truth and scriptures. Rather,
he would fulfill the scriptures in the life of Saul,
and he would become the great missionary of the Church. So,
after being knocked off his horse, Saul then blindly stands
to his feet, and already God is changing him. Jesus
(13:17):
is changing him, for when he opens his eyes, he
found that he could not see. Saul is now physically blind.
And for many years he had lived in spiritual darkness
and blindness and had physical sight. But now the tables
are turned. God had begun to open his spiritual eyes,
but he is blind and helpless. His companions lead him
(13:40):
to Damascus, where he stayed for three days, fasting and
drinking nothing. As Saul waited, not knowing what would come next,
God was working behind the scenes as he always is.
He appeared at a vision to a believer in Damascus
a man named Ananias, and God told him that he
was to go to Saul. Understandly, Annius was concerned because
(14:03):
he had heard about Saul, how vicious he was, how
he was attacking Christians and attempting to destroy the church.
Did God really want Anonaius to go talk to this man.
Notice that God did not chastise him or get angry
for his questions. He simply affirmed the command and explained
his purpose, saying in Acts nine, verses fifteen and sixteen,
(14:26):
go for he that is Saul, is a chosen instrument
of Mine to carry my name before the gentiles and
the kings and the children of Israel. For I will
show him how much he must suffer for the sake
of my name. Anonius, what a great man, then obediently
fulfilled his calling. And he went to Saul, and he
(14:47):
laid hands on him, and immediately he embraces him and
calls him brother. This man who was an enemy of
the Church is now being called brother, a part of
the family of God. Don't miss the important and the
significance of this. Not every one of us would have
been so quick to embrace Saul. But Anonius, knowing that
(15:07):
God had a great purpose for this man, and trusting
in God's will, welcomed Saul and prayed for him to
receive the Holy Spirit. In that instance, Saul's eyesight was restored,
the scales of his eyes fell, and he now sees again.
Saul was then baptized and immediately is transformed into a
(15:28):
force for the Gospel, a fearless, faithful evangelist who had
spread the Gospel, pointing others to Jesus everywhere he went.
The disciples were confounded and confused and a little uneasy.
But as they heard this man preach, as Saul witnessed
of the good News, they were sure now that he
is a changed man, and the murderer becomes a missionary.
(15:52):
Soon Saul returned to Jerusalem, but when he tried to
join the disciples there again, he was faced with some
fear and skepticism. But a man by the name of Barnabas,
just as Anonias had done, welcomed his new brother in Christ.
He stood up for Saul before the disciples, and then
Saul was accepted, joining those in Jerusalem, boldly preaching Christ
(16:15):
to all who would listen. It wouldn't be long that
Saul would face the same oppression and opposition and persecution
that he had brought to the church. Now he was
the hated and hunted one. But nothing would stop this man.
He was unstoppable. Saul is an incredible testimony to God's
power to redeem and change even the most lost and
(16:36):
hopeless person. Saul would carry God's grace to the ends
of the world, fueled by the power and the passion
of the Spirit within him, and both Jews and Gentiles
everywhere would believe the saving message of Christ because the
man who hated Christians is now becoming the greatest Christian
who ever lived. Let's pray together, Dear God, thank you
(16:59):
for today scripture which reminds us of your great grace,
your amazing grace that can take us when we're going
the wrong direction and turn our lives around so that
we can become your followers. We know this is all
true because Jesus is alive, because you are risen Lord,
and we follow you and trust in you and obey you.
(17:19):
And may we be bold in our witness, using our
own testimonies to tell the world who Jesus is. For
we pray in Christ's name. Amen. Thank you for listening
to today's Bible into your Podcast, And before we go,
I wanted to let you know that the Bible into
your Podcast is an outreach of PowerPoint Ministries and can
(17:41):
only come to you each week through the support of
listeners like you. Your support today is so important that
we want to thank you for your gift by giving
you a copy of my book called The Jesus Book.
This book is a powerful guide that shows how every
book in the Bible points to Christ and how you
can better read and understand the Bible and how God's
(18:04):
Word transforms our lives. So to get your copy of
The Jesus Book, simply go to Jaggraham dot org slash Jesus.
That's Jaggraham dot org slash Jesus and thank you for
your support.
Host
Jack Graham
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