Acts 9- Road to Damascus

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And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. Acts 9:3-5

Every Christian has that “Come To Jesus” moment, and Paul had his moment on the road to Damascus. While Paul was on his way to persecute more Christians, Jesus had different plans for Paul. As Paul literally saw the light and heard the Lord call him by name! Paul’s response was “Who are you Lord”? And Jesus revealed to Paul, Christ is the Lord, the same Lord you have been persecuting

This is the same for our conversions , Jesus has called us by name! Previously we were spending our days fighting against God, maybe not even realizing it, but Christ still loved us enough that he died for us even when we were still sinners!

And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. Acts 9:6-8

Paul was humbled on the road to Damascus, before this conversion he was terrorizing Christians, now Paul was blinded by the light. He became humbled and realized that Jesus was really Lord and he had a new mission to complete. Notice Paul’s response to The Lords calling “What do you want me to do”? This should be our response also, let the Lords will be done!

And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. Acts 9:9

Obviously the transformation is not going to be easy, as Paul previously spent his days persecuting the Church, now Paul is part of the Church! This is how God works, he can take anyone and make them new again for his glory and purpose!

The Road to Damascus was meant to terrorize the Church , however it brought glory to God as we know Paul will go on to be one of the greatest preachers in Church history! Spreading the gospel to all the Gentile nations Amen!

Acts 8- Philip and The Eunuch

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And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. Acts 8:30-33

The Holy Spirit led Philip to talk to an Ethiopian eunuch, have you ever felt led by the Holy Spirit to talk to someone? The eunuch was reading Isaiah 53 and didn’t understand who the prophecy was talking about, notice the eunuch said to Philip “How can I understand, unless someone should guide me” This is why preaching is very important, we can’t assume everyone understands the Bible or knows Christ

The Bible is clear that the prophecy of Isaiah 53 was fulfilled by Jesus, when you read the detail and accuracy of the prophecy, it’s amazing that it was written over 700 years before Christ was born. What would have happened if Philip was not obedient to the Holy Spirit? The eunuch may have never known Christ or heard the gospel message, listen to the Holy Spirit and be obedient!

And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? Acts 8:34-36

Who was Isaiah 53 written about? It was all about Jesus, and Philip shared the gospel with the eunuch based on Isaiah 53. If someone asks you to show them the gospel from the Old Testament, show them Isaiah 53! The eunuch understood the gospel and received Christ, now “What would prevent him from being baptized”? Nothing! Baptism is a profession of your faith in Jesus, if you believe you should be baptized!

And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. Acts 8:37-39

The eunuch professed Christ as Lord and Philip baptised him. Some translations are missing verse 37 which doesn’t make sense. If you haven’t received and understood that Jesus is your Lord, then why would you get baptized? After the baptism the Holy Spirit removed Philip, and the eunuch went back to Ethiopia sharing the good news of Jesus Christ!

One obedience of the Holy Spirit probably transformed hundreds, many thousands of lives. Think about it, the eunuch , who had a high position of authority, probably went back to Ethiopia and preached the gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone! Listen to the Holy Spirit, be obedient in Jesus Name , Amen!

Acts 8- Simon The Sorcerer

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But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Acts 8:12-14

There was a sorcerer named Simon, he became very famous among the people performing magic. However when Philip came with the gospel and demonstrated signs and wonders via the Holy Spirit, Simon became jealous and wanted the power of the Holy Spirit. Little did Simon understand that this is not how God works. Many false prophets and teachers today try to mimic and blasphemy the Holy Spirit today

As Philip continued to preach the gospel many people came to Christ and were baptized. This generated such a buzz that the Apostles decided to come down to Samaria to see the revival that was happening

Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. Acts 8:15-17

Now the interesting thing we see here is even though the believers were baptized with water, they were not yet baptized with the Holy Spirit as Jesus taught in John 3. The Apostles laid hands on the new believers and they were baptized by the Holy Spirit. There are two baptisms, the water and the spirit!

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Acts 8:18-20

Simon the sorcerer wanted the power of the Holy Spirit, he was a false convert. He didn’t really care about God, he just wanted the power of God. How many false converts do we still see today? Peter rebuked the sorcerer because Simon believed he could purchase God with money! Again we see the deity and sacredness of the Holy Spirit

Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Acts 8:21-23

Peter told Simon to repent of his sin, and his heart was not right with God. This is the difference between a true and false convert. Christianity is a heart issue, we must become Born Again with a clean heart through Christ!

God will not be mocked, we can’t pretend to be a Christian, God reads our hearts and minds. Examine yourself, and get right with God in Jesus name Amen!

Acts 8- Persecution of The Church

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And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. Acts 8:1-2

As we continue to look at the death of Stephen, we see that Paul consented or approved of his death. Saul began to persecute the Church, as it says “there was a great persecution” why did Paul do this? Well he had zeal for God, yet his zeal was misled. He believed he was honoring God with his work, however Paul was actually fighting against God, as he will later find out on the Road to Damascus

We see that the Church began to become scattered, remember how Jesus described us as sheep scattered without a Shepherd. Paul was actually doing the work of Satan and trying to destroy the Body of Christ, but what we found out over history is that the Church is unbreakable. The more you persecute the Church, the more it grows stronger and bigger in size!

Notice there was a great sorrow or lamentation over Stephen. As stated previously he was believed to be the first martyr of Christianity, but Stephen is now with The Lord as we seen in Chapter 7

As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. Acts 8:3-4

Paul tried to single handedly destroy the Church, he went from house to house , seeking Christians and putting them in prison or persecuting them. However the more he persecuted the Church , the stronger they became. As the Christians began scattered, it allowed them an opportunity to share the gospel to a larger audience. Christianity was actually spreading due to the persecution

This reign of terror by Paul was why the Church was reluctant to accept Paul when he became Born Again on the Road to Damascus. We must remember that Jesus has the power to transform even the worst of sinners!

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. Acts 8:5-7

Philip used this opportunity to head to Samaria and preach the gospel there. There he started a revival, performing miracles and healings by the Holy Spirit. Even though the Church was being persecuted, the Body of Christ was growing and spreading across the entire world

God can use what was meant for our harm and use it for our good, don’t live in fear, trust in Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you Amen!