WEEKLY
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An
international Sunday school lesson commentary
For
Sunday August 20, 2017
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136,000 readers worldwide
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CALLED
TO PREACH
(Only
GOD can change hearts)
(Acts
9:1-22)
Before we can help a person to change, we must
first show that person our love for them just as they are. In Acts chapter 9,
verses 1-18, Luke gives us a vivid description, of the most famous, and
perhaps, the most sweeping transformation of any human being in the annals of
biblical literature. Here we see chronicled, the story of how Saul (the Apostle
Paul) was converted by JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF, one day on the road to Damascus,
the oldest continually inhabited city in the world, and the capital of Syria.
Scripture
tells us that Saul, who was apparently an important figure to the Libertines (a
group of freed slaves who had converted to Judaism), was an arch-enemy of the
Christians, who referred to themselves at that time as “Adherents of the way”.
Remember the Libertines were the group that stoned Stephen to death back in Acts
chapter 7, setting off a round of major persecutions against the followers of
CHRIST in Jerusalem.
Saul
embodied a deep hatred for this so-called sect of the Nazarenes that followed
and promoted the ideology of JESUS, and, who were gaining much in popularity
following HIS death at Golgotha. Little did Saul know at the time, that Stephen’s
death at Jerusalem would be used by GOD to birth, and force the spread of
Christianity throughout the world, and, that he, would become the face of that
radical movement.
The
strong preaching and teaching of the original Apostles of CHRIST, and other
early Church leaders such as Barnabas, Philip, and the like, had catapulted the
Christian doctrine of “Good News” into a legitimate threat against the powerful
Church of Judaism at Jerusalem. The Gospel of CHRIST was swiftly becoming
accepted by vastly increasing numbers of Jewish converts, who were formally
associated with Judaism.
Here
in Acts chapter 9, we find Saul, on a rampage, eager to destroy any of the
followers of CHRIST who crossed his path. He goes to the High Priest and
requests letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus asking their
cooperation in the arrest of anyone proclaiming to be a follower of CHRIST that
he found there. He wanted to bring them back to Jerusalem in chains to either,
jail, beat, or stone them to death.
However,
as Saul was nearing Damascus on this mission of hate, he is overcome by a
brilliant light from Heaven, beaming down to the earth and causing him to fall
to his knees in helpless wonderment. Suddenly the voice of JESUS rang out
saying, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me? When Saul asks, “who are you?”
The voice replies, “I am JESUS, the one you are persecuting! Now get up and go
into the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”
The
men with Saul also heard this voice, but they saw no one, and they all stood
speechless in utter amazement. Saul, now blind, rises to his feet, and is led
by his companions, into Damascus. He abided there for three days, fasting,
going totally without food or water.
There
was a believer in Damascus, by the name of Ananias, whom the LORD spoke to, in
a vision. HE instructed Ananias to go over to “Straight Street”, the main thoroughfare
in Damascus in those days, to the house of Judas, where Saul was residing. A
protesting Ananias, who already knew of Saul’s exploits against the followers
of CHRIST, is further instructed by JESUS to pray and lay hands on Saul, so
that he would be healed of his blindness.
Ananias
reluctantly goes and finds Saul and lays hands on him, as CHRIST had instructed
him to do, and the scales fell from Saul’s eyes. Saul is then baptized, and
remains in Damascus with the believers for a few days. After being baptized and
filled with the HOLY SPIRIT, Saul immediately begins to preach about JESUS in
the Synagogues saying, “JESUS truly is the SON of the LIVING GOD!”
After Saul’s conversion, he abided in Damascus
preaching about CHRIST for a few more days, and all who heard him were amazed
at his transformation of doctrine, and, his behavior (his sudden surrender to
CHRIST). They could hardly believe that this was the same man who had once
terrorized the “Adherents of the Way” (followers of CHRIST) every chance he
got. As Saul’s preaching became more and more powerful and effective, the Jews
in Damascus were no longer able to refute his proofs that JESUS truly was, and
indeed is, the MESSIAH.
It
is a life-changing thing, getting to know, and then, becoming accustomed to
practicing the Word of GOD. Getting to know CHRIST transforms our lives into
something wonderful and new, and then, our commitment to that change, catapults
us into everlasting freedom from Fear, Self, Other People, and finally, Sin.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, and so HE, in HIS wonderful grace,
offers this opportunity of change to all mankind, so that HIS grace and mercy
towards us will win out over HIS judgment upon us.
A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander
LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website
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