Here is todays daily manna from Peter Pollock: JUNE 29 IT ALL HAPPENED SO FAST! Bible in a year: Job 14, 15, 16 Acts 9: 22- 43 Scripture: Acts 9: 26: And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him and did not believe that he was a disciple. Paul’s conversion had been dramatic, too dramatic for some of the disciples! The scripture tells us that “straightaway” he preached Christ in the synagogues and proclaimed that He is the Son of God. This was pure Holy Spirit power but we must not forget that Paul had been an ardent student of the scriptures for many years and so it would have been far simpler for him to convert his views and doctrine in such a short time. He went straight to the top – the synagogue – and caused such a stir that they not only disapproved of him but plotted to kill him. In fact Paul had to leave Damascus in a hurry and in a large basket let down through the wall of the city and it was the disciples, the ones in Damascus, who ensured that he made a successful escape. However when he got to Jerusalem the believers were not so openhearted. They all knew about the Saul who had caused them such grief and things had happened too fast and too dramatically for their liking! Paul needed an ally so along came Barnabus and he told the whole story, vouching for the “experience” and the change that had occurred and the fruit of Paul’s testimony. So they accepted him and Paul was able to continue preaching out boldly. Paul’s conversion experience – and the same applies to many who have had dramatic conversions – does often produce the response: “ Well, if I was given the same revelation as Paul I would also have responded favourably. I should be so lucky!” And I have heard that type of remark quite often! This has engendered a sort of understanding and acceptance of bible truth that places it all beyond the reach of normal human beings, rather like a “then” and “now” situation. But if you break down what happened to Paul, from his open aggression to his meeting with Jesus and the subsequent turn-around, this is what has happened to everyone who comes to faith, obviously in a lesser dramatic way! Principally we are all against God until we meet Jesus. Jesus is a light and a voice and we have been blinded by the world and it’s value system. Repentance is a total, 180 degrees decision of the heart and will, and regeneration does open our eyes, change our lives and produce amazement and disbelief from those around us!
Posted on: Sun, 29 Jun 2014 07:16:46 +0000
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