A man named Saul set out to kill the church. He put men and women in prison simply for believing in Jesus. He was not someone they invited to church. He was worthy of death. he should have been executed. Well actually, did you know, he was executed! That’s right, God executed Saul!
Saul was a murderous religious man. He sought out women, men, and children because they were Christians! He stood by and watched them stone Stephen. Read the story in the 7th Chapter of Acts. He traveled everywhere on a cruel mission of murder. He was looking for Christians as if they were criminals. However in Acts 9:1 -16 Saul went from breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord to Act_23:11 when the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. What a difference God makes?
What happened?
When Saul was knocked to the ground, wickedness died there! That murderer never got up! He stayed down. Christians in hiding could breathe a little easier after that day! God executed Saul, and raised Paul up in His place! For the church, whom God asked to receive Saul, it was scary and wonderful at the same time. The man who did them great harm was gone forever. There was a new preacher of righteousness who looked just like the old Saul, and no, they didn’t trust him at first. God bore witness with the leaders of the church, and Saul was accepted. He was now persecuted by his old friends. Yes, the persecutor became the persecuted!
Paul wrote the greatest percentage of the New Testament and preached Jesus in Rome. It is because he preached that the western world has the gospel today.
When we are saved, and Jesus enters our life, the old self is changed so drastically that the Bible calls it new life. Yes, old things pass away and behold all things become new! Can you remember the feeling of peace after Jesus brought you to your knees? The things you use to love, you now hated. You were a brand new creation! Saul became Paul because God killed the wickedness that made Saul sin!
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