Wednesday: The Beginning of Paul’s Ministry
Acts 9:19-25 gives the impression that after his conversion, Paul remained in Damascus for a while before returning to Jerusalem (Acts 9:26). In Galatians 1:17, however, Paul adds that, before going to Jerusalem, he went to Arabia, where he apparently lived in seclusion for a certain period.
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“Here, in the solitude of the desert, Paul had ample opportunity for quiet study and meditation.”—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 125.
Read Acts 9:20-25. How does Luke describe Paul’s ministry in Damascus? How well did it go?
Paul’s original target when he left Jerusalem with letters from the high priest was the Jewish believers that had presumably sought refuge in the synagogues of Damascus (Acts 9:2). Now, after coming back from Arabia, he finally made it to the synagogues, not to arrest believers but to increase their number; not to slander Jesus as an impostor but to present Him as the Messiah of Israel. What must have gone on in the minds of those who, having heard of him only as one of their persecutors, now hear him witness about Jesus? What could they do but marvel at what Saul of Tarsus had become and at what he was doing for the church? (They probably had no idea of the influence this new convert would eventually have!)
Not able to contradict Paul, some of his opponents conspired together to take his life. Paul’s account of the episode (2 Cor. 11:32-33)suggests that his opponents denounced him to the local authorities in order to achieve their intent. However, with the believers’ help, Paul was able to escape in a basket, possibly through the window of a house built on the city wall.
Paul knew from the start that he would face challenges (Acts 9:16). Opposition, persecution, and suffering from various sources would be a constant in his ministry, but nothing would shake his faith or sense of duty, despite the hardships and trials that he faced practically at every step of his new life in Christ (2 Cor. 4:8-9).
| Despite struggles and opposition, Paul didn’t give up. How can we learn to do the same when it comes to faith—that is, how to persevere amid discouragement and opposition? |
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When Paul preached Christ, Jews plotted to kill him, but the disciples save the life of Paul.
The hunter becomes the hunted, predator becomes the prey.
A general slain in battle is lost to his army, but his death gives no additional strength to the enemy. But when a man of prominence joins the opposing force, not only are his services lost, but those to whom he joins himself gain a decided advantage. Saul of Tarsus, on his way to Damascus, might easily have been struck dead by the Lord, and much strength would have been withdrawn from the persecuting power. But God in His providence not only spared Saul's life, but converted him, thus transferring a champion from the side of the enemy to the side of Christ. An eloquent speaker and a severe critic, Paul, with his stern purpose and undaunted courage, possessed the very qualifications needed in the early church.
Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 123-127.
Paul’s ministry was one of a kind, not that he was the only one to have a drastic 180 degrees turn around but he was the only one who was so impactful. He got the message and was so eager for his friends to accept and repent but it didn’t happen how Paul would have wanted it. He was reminded of the Acts 9: 16. He was basically in the middle as the followers of Jesus didn’t trust him initially and the Jews (who rejected Jesus) wanted to kill him for his convictions. We too can learn many lessons. We will not necessarily know when someone is truly converted and hence, we must see everyone as a candidate for heaven, not condemning anyone no mater how impossible it may seem. When we decide to follow Christ, there will be those (even Christians) will mistrust us and may not accept us openly and willingly but we ought not to allow that to deter us.
The one who brought suffering to the church now suffered for it's noble cause in bringing the knowledge of the world's Savior to all who would listen. This, in turn, will always arouse the evil one who will work to destroy every good influence. Satan works in ways that will draw us away from the work of the gospel and back into the cares of this life, it's pleasures, it's temporal success and wealth, etc. If these things do not entice, then he will bring persecution and destruction as far as God will allow. So the persecutor became the persecuted, and in this demonstrated his conversion and sanctification. As Jesus had taught: "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake".
Saul ever rejoiced in every trial of his faith. The joy of salvation was his as he labored to bring it to others.
Yes, Paul's story is an inspiration for all of us! But God has something separated for me and you. He desires us to focus on the ministry that He has for us... although it may seem small or different than the first apostles, but Jesus can use us as instruments where none can be!
"...present yourselves to God, as those that are alive from the dead; and your members as instruments of justice unto God."Rom 6:13
Did Paul receive any Spiritual Gifts after his Damascus Experience?
It seems to me he was using the same abilities 'before' against Jesus/Christians and 'after' for Jesus/Christians.
What was the sign that Paul had received the Holy Spirit?
In Acts 10 the sign for the Gentiles was that they spoke with tongues and magnified God. (see below)
However with Paul according to Barnabas it was his vision of Jesus and preaching boldly.
For the disciples it was tongues of fire, other languages and preaching boldly.
Jesus: It was preaching the Gospel and doing good, healing
What is the common denominator of those receiving the Holy Spirit?
Preaching the Good News!
How has the Holy Spirit been manifested in your life?
Act 10:36 You know the Word which God sent to the sons of Israel, preaching the gospel of peace by Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all!); Act 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and He went about doing good, and healing all those who were oppressed by the Devil, for God was with Him
Act 9:27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and told them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had spoken boldly in Damascus in the name of Jesus.
Act 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those hearing the Word.
Act 10:45 And those of the circumcision, who believed (as many as came with Peter), were astonished because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on the nations also.
Act 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered,
Act 10:47 Can anyone forbid water that these, who have received the Holy Ghost as well as we, should not be baptized?
Act 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they begged him to stay certain days.
Why didnt Holy Spirit reveal to the disciples that it was safe to accept Paul but it was Barnabas who related his experience to them? The example of Ananias & Sapphira- The Spirit revealed the deceit of them. Just trying to understand the work of Holy Spirit.
A good question, possibly difficult to answer. What we have to see is the specific ways in which the Holy Spirit did work, so we can recognize it's working in our own lives. If the Holy Spirit revealed everything to everyone, then how could we know when someone says: "The Spirit told me this or that" if it was truly the Spirit?
It seems to me that the Spirit DID tell the others that Saul/Paul was "ok", through Barnabas, whom they knew and trusted. God works in ways often mysterious to humans, yet in the final analysis, we realize it was the best way. The promise is "Lo, I am with you always...", and we must acknowledge this when we see the evidence. If we only accepted truth if the Holy Spirit addressed each of us directly, there would be little "unity of the spirit in the bond of peace". Every believer has a part in benefiting the whole body, and it's vital for each to recognize this potential. This is how God chooses to work, for our best interest and the best interest of the Gospel.
I do believe that the Holy Spirit wants to use man as a witness and testimony to convey to others his faith in the power of Christ unto conversion, when ever possible. And it worked. They all believed Barnabas and then recieved Paul as one of them. Acts 9:27-28.
Acts 19:11, 12 addresses this question. "And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them."
Paul recieved spiritual gifts in the Deseret after hatred was amplified 800 times by Paul’s fervent teaching of Christ life, death, and resurrection in Damascus. He sought forgiveness with repentance from God, God gave him assurance of his full forgiveness. He was then taught by Christ. Christ communed with Paul and gave him the spiritual gifts of grace and wisdom. These gifts along with ardent study of the scriptures, prepared him for his future ministry.
The strongest point that jumped out at me in today's lesson according to Ellen G. White is that Paul went into seclusion before he started in his ministry full time.
We too should find that secret place, that desert place, in our lives/ministry where we can renew our spiritual strength for the Christian journey ahead.