And when he (Saul) had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple.
Acts 9:26-31
After escaping Damascus, Saul returns to Jerusalem. But, Saul, now a convert, wants to join with the Christians in Jerusalem. He is met with fear from them for all they have known of Saul has been persecution and death. They believe he may be using his “being a Christian” now as a tactic to infiltrate the church and do further harm to the believers there. So, Barnabas enters the scene and takes Saul to the Apostles, explaining Saul’s mighty conversion experience and how boldly Saul had spoken of Jesus, Messiah, to the churches in Damascus. After a time of Saul’s preaching and disputing with some Hellenists, another plot to kill Saul is discovered and Saul is taken to Caesarea and shipped off to Tarsus, Saul’s home. After this, the churches throughout Judea, Samaria and, Galilee were not persecuted much and the numbers of converts rose dramatically in the region. The Redeemed walked in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit which in-dwelt each believer. Today, believers are also in-dwelt by the same Holy Spirit. He is the Comforter Jesus promised all who believe in Him would receive. The Holy Spirit is no less capable of working in a Christian today than He was in Saul when he was converted. But, many Christians are satisfied with the “status quo” of being saved without understanding that their sanctification is a life-long process until they enter Heaven when they “graduate.” Sanctification is a process that begins at conversion and will continue in the truly saved individual. The Holy Spirit will work in each Christian to lead him/her into more and more holiness and to enlighten each Christian of what the God they serve requires of them in this life. Some Christians grow very quickly while others grow more slowly. There is no right or wrong way of growth. If one claims Christianity but is not living like a Christian or growing in faith, that person must question whether or not he/she is truly a Christian. More mature Christians must be a catalyst for new Christians to grow in their faith and grace in the Lord. Christians in name only must be confronted and dealt with if they continue claiming but not living a Christian life. May the Chosen of God to be Christ’s Bride lovingly teach the less mature believers of the ways of following our Savior and Lord Jesus.
Source: S C Ball June 21, 2023
Leave a Reply