Sermon On the Net

PAUL’S CONVERSION

 

Acts 9: Paul was very active in his quest to destroy the church. He went to the high priest to ask for letters that he could use when he went to Damascus, so that he could arrest any Christians he might find. On his way, a flash of light on Paul caused him to fall to the ground and a voice sounded out of nowhere asking Paul why he was persecuting the church. Paul questioned the voice and was told that it was Jesus whom he was persecuting. Then Jesus told him to get up and go into Damascus and he would be told what to do. While he traveled to Damascus Jesus called on Ananias and told him to go to a particular house in Damascus and he would find Paul there. Ananias was told that Paul, in a vision, saw him come to him and would restore his sight. Ananias was afraid of Paul but Jesus told him it would be okay. Jesus also told Ananias that Paul was chosen to deliver the salvation message to the gentiles. When Ananias found Paul, he did as he was instructed and Paul regained his sight after being blind and without for three days. Paul was baptized at this time.

 

Paul spent several days in Damascus preaching and proving that Jesus is the Christ. He irritated the Jews to the point that they conspired to kill him. When this was discovered they lowered Paul in a basket outside the city wall to escape. When he arrived in Jerusalem the disciples had a hard time accepting Paul as one of them, But Barnabas intervened, took him to the Apostles, and assured them that Paul, indeed, was one of them. Paul continued his relentless quest to proclaim Jesus to everyone to the point that they were trying, again, to kill him. They sent him off to Tarsus and there followed a time of peace and they continued preaching the Word.

 

Peter was preaching throughout the area and came to a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years. Peter told him to get up and he was instantly healed of his affliction. Many came to believe because of this miracle. There was a disciple in Joppa who was always doing good for everyone. About that time she died and when Peter was told, he went to her house. She was in an upstairs room, having been prepared for burial. Peter went to the room and told everyone to leave and when they did Peter got on his knees, prayed to God and told Dorcas to get up. She did and everyone was amazed at this miracle. Many believed because of this.

 

One would think that it would be easier to believe in Jesus in those days because of the fact that He was living at the time and all the signs and wonders that were happening. But this is not true because there is only one way to believe and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, and that is FAITH. Yes, regardless of the circumstances, faith is the necessary ingredient for salvation, then and now. This is the reason that people who try to prove the truth find it so difficult, if not impossible, to accept Jesus as Savior. No one can prove Jesus as Savior and if you have any doubts, think back to the time when Jesus was alive and on the earth. Imagine, you see Him and yet you don’t believe while others who saw Him did believe. Why? Because of faith. Look no further than faith.”Without faith it is impossible to please God. Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see, “(Hebrews 11:1).

 

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