Drawn by the Father

Acts 9:1-8

When Stephen was stoned, a young and ambitious Pharisee was there to witness it, as we see in Acts 7:58. “And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.” Apparently he had already attained a level of authority, as Acts 8:1 tells us. “And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.”

In order to get their party’s support, both Republicans and Democrats are forced to support the Party platform without question, if they wish to advance their careers. As an aspiring leader of the Pharisees, Saul found it to his advantage to promote the high priest and his associates’ goals.

“And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.” (Acts 9:1-2)

Because he didn’t believe in Christ, he never questioned the leaders claims, according to I Timothy 1:13, “…but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.” He was just trying to promote his career by actively arresting the Christians. That it was his religious leaders who wished it made it seem legitimate.

“And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” (Acts 9:3-5)

According to Romans 1:18-20, God reveals himself to every single person. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”

Some choose to reject the idea of God at all, calling themselves Atheists. Others, agnostics, decide they don’t want to know, avoiding the idea. Still others decide there must be a God, and become religious. The majority of these decide what they want God to be like and devise an explanation that fits their desires, as Romans 1:22-23 explains. "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.”

John 3:18 informs us that it is this sin of refusing to believe that sends people to hell. “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” Every other sin is the result of rejecting God as Romans 1:28-32 makes clear.

We are surrounded by people who have rejected God, and many times, Like Saul we simply go along with their opinions. Saul had demonstrated an interest in God, even going beyond his peers, but his decisions were still based on other peoples’ beliefs. Like Saul, a lot of people who have grown up in church have just gone along with what the church told them without making a real decision for themselves. While most do not experience as dramatic a trigger event as Saul, every person comes to that same point of having to choose to believe or reject Christ. As John 6:44 tells us, they cannot be saved until God causes them to make that choice.

“And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.” (Acts 9:6-7)

Saul’s decision to believe is clear. When he asked “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”, he was committed to believing in Christ, willing to give up what he had been doing. As John 3:336 states, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life:…”

Salvation is always an individual event. Only God and the believer are involved. Anyone else is just an observer, hearing only part of the conversation, kind of like they are overhearing someone talking on the phone. As Acts 22:9 tells us the others saw the light and heard Saul talking but did not hear God understandably.

“And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.” (Acts 9:8-9)

For the next three days, the Holy Spirit prevented Saul from being distracted by those around him. He spent those three days in fasting and prayer, allowing the Holy spirit to teach him. While most new Christians are not physically unable to see after being saved, there is usually a period where they are protected from the evil around them, giving them a chance to understand what they have. It is exhilarating to be present during that period and see how God works in their lives, as sins drop away and the attitude changes.