Title: Saul Meets Jesus
Contents
Saul meets Jesus
Acts 9:1-9
And a child's personality and character depend on the kind of parents he meets.
And whoever gets married depends on what kind of person he is dating.
And your soul depends on what religion you believe in.
Greetings. Are you dating good people?
At this time today, we must first look at the person named Saul through the text. He grew up in strict Pharisee Judaism, and is a Jew among Jews.
He was very well versed in Jewish tradition and Hebrew law, and was a Hebrew among the Hebrews.
And being born in Dasosa means being familiar with Halla culture and philosophy.
Also, having Roman citizenship by birth means that you are familiar with Roman politics and laws.
Not only that, but he also studied under Gamaliel. In other words, it can be said that he is a scholar of the time.
Saul is an intellectual who has knowledge of history and philosophy. Most intelligent people have no action. He is clearly smart, quick-judgmental, and critical, but the inability to act at the decisive moment is the weakness of ordinary intellectuals.
However, the man named Saul who appears in today's text is an intelligent man who risk his life for what he judges to be right.
Notice verses 1-2.
Saul is a witness when Stephen died. As recorded in 7:58 and 8:3, it is well known that he is a very menacing person.
Before Saul meets the Lord, he discovers two aspects.
(1) He had very bad preconceived notions and feelings toward those who believed in Jesus.
There is a saying in vogue these days that the bride-to-be is a bouquet. In other words, I think they are very unlucky and tasteless. (2) A person who takes actions to the extent of getting an official letter from the high priest and going directly to Damascus in order to arrest those who believe in Jesus and bring them to Jerusalem.
Look at verses 3-4.
Saul, who was commissioned by the high priest to arrest him and went to Damascus, made a great decision to be faithful to his sense of justice and put it into action in his life.
No one can stop Saul. Who can stop him who dares to act so powerfully?
But suddenly, a light from heaven came on Saul and he heard the voice of the Lord.
For a moment he fell to the ground. A voice came from the sky. Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? This is what it sounded like.
It is the greatest event since Pentecost. When the Holy Spirit came upon Mark's upper room, it is also recorded in Acts 2:2 that it suddenly came from heaven.
In this way, it is the word that informs us that the Holy Spirit comes equally to individuals and communities.
A detailed voice is heard from Saul, who is lying on his face. He is calling you Saul, Saul.
It is the voice of the Lord's mercy and love that is called twice, not once.
In general, when we call people, we call them deacon, teacher, but not 2 or 3 times. We must become spiritual people who can hear the voice of the Lord.
If you meditate on the voice of the Lord calling Saul, (1) I loved you, and I died on the cross for you,
I hope you return to my arms. I was expecting my love to be accepted, but instead of receiving that love, are you persecuting me?
(2) Why do you persecute my church? Or why do you persecute my disciples? Why don't you say that and persecute me? would you have said
In 8:3 and verse 1 of the text, they persecuted the saints or the church, but did not persecute Jesus directly. Why is the Lord persecuting me? would you have said It is intended to show that the church is the body of Jesus Christ.
Look at John 15:18-19.