…(Saul) proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He (Jesus) is the Son of God.”
Acts 9:20-25
Upon Ananias of Damascus laying hands on Saul, he received his sight and ate and drank for he had not done so for three days because Saul had prayed the entire time. Saul was baptized and joined a group of brethren for several days there in Damascus. Afterward, Saul proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah in the synagogues of Damascus. Saul’s proclamations amazed those who heard him for they knew only that Saul was the man who had created havoc in the Jerusalem church. Saul continued to confound the Jews in Damascus who were expecting him to persecute the Christians but, Saul preached Jesus and Him crucified. What we see, in Saul, is the Holy Spirit at work in a well-educated man of the Jewish Scriptures and his understanding of the Scriptures to reveal Jesus as the Son of the Living God. No one was able to dissuade Saul of his new-found life in God through Jesus Christ. When God regenerates a soul and he/she becomes a Christian, most people are not as knowledgeable as Saul in the Holy Scriptures. But, the soul saved by the Holy Spirit is no less saved and will exhibit a desire to read and learn the Scriptures to know his Savior more and more. Now, Saul continued many days in Damascus until the Jews who wanted the Christians there persecuted planned to kill Saul. Saul learns of their plot and Christian brothers help Saul escape Damascus through a hole in the city wall at night for the Jews were lying in wait to capture Saul if he tried to leave the city. Most Christians today do not have such hostility directed toward them at conversion. But, there are places, in the world today, where a newly converted Christian may be given only a few hours in which to leave his nation or he will be killed. Other new converts face immediate persecution when the ruling authorities discover their faith in Jesus. There are many “underground churches” in Asia, Africa and, other countries where Christianity is prohibited by law. All Christians everywhere need to pray for our brothers and sisters in such locations for their very lives are in danger and, yet, they continue to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ! Praise God for such faith and bravery!
Source: S C Ball June 20, 2023
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