Title: Paul the Witness of the Resurrection
Content Title: Paul the Witness of the Resurrection
Bible: Acts 26: 8-23
A witness is the most powerful person in court. No matter how eloquent the lawyer defends, no matter how smart the prosecutor argues, and even if the judge makes a decision, a single word of accurate testimony from a witness is a witness who has the amazing ability to overturn the judgment. However, such witnesses are not for everyone. In order to become a witness, you must be someone who has seen with your own eyes, heard with your ears, and experienced with your body. Verse 16 says, “Arise, stand on your feet, and I have appeared to you, that I might make you a servant and a witness in what you saw me and what I am about to appear to you.” These are the words of the risen Lord appearing to Saul, who persecuted him. Today, we would like to share grace with the title of "Saul, the witness of the risen Lord", centering on the text.
First, when did you become a witness?
Paul the evangelist in this text was arrested by the Jewish high priest while preaching the gospel of the Lord and had to defend his situation before King Agrippa. In his defense, he was able to testify of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. According to his testimony, it is said that he became a witness of Jesus when he first resisted the name of Jesus. Verse 9 says, “I also thought to myself that I must do everything against the name of Jesus of Nazareth.” Here, “I am also against the name of Jesus of Nazareth” means that he himself did not believe in the resurrection of Jesus and opposed Jesus, and he was one of those who opposed him. How much did he oppose and oppose Jesus? In verse 10 of the text, if you do these things in Jerusalem, and have authority from the high priest, and put many saints in prison, and when you put them to death, I voted for you.”
In verse 11, how zealous did Paul persecute those who believed in Jesus? is telling
1) In the synagogues, punishments were imposed and conciliatory measures were used. He said that he punished those who believed in Jesus in the synagogue.
2) It is said that Paul's zeal did not stop there, he went abroad to persecute him.
Second, how did you become a witness?
How did Paul, who resisted the name of Jesus with such zeal, become a witness of Jesus?
1) When did you come? The phrase “the hour came at noon” in the text refers to the time when Paul met the Lord. It is said that it was noon when Jesus met Paul.
Verse 18 says, “It will open their eyes, that they may return from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive the forgiveness of sins and an inheritance in the midst of those who are sanctified by faith in me.” Here Paul is telling us what to do. The first is to open their eyes. The second is to bring them back to God, and the third is to forgive their sins and to enable those who are sanctified through faith in Jesus to receive an inheritance. Today we need to know what the Lord has called us for. You must realize that you are called to evangelize your relatives, relatives, and strangers who do not believe in the Lord, who do not yet know the Lord.
Third, what happened to Saul who met the Lord?
Paul met the risen Lord on the road to Damascus while resisting the name of Jesus, and he experienced amazing grace and received a wonderful and great mission. What did the apostle Paul do after receiving the commission?