Where Did Jesus Tell Paul to Go to Be Able to See Again
The first time we run across Saul of Tarsus (who was afterwards chosen Paul), he was office of the group who was killing Stephen for preaching about Jesus (Acts vii:57-60).
Not just did Paul think this faithful man deserved to die, he thought everyone who followed the way of Jesus Christ should be arrested and perchance face up the death penalty likewise.
Persecuting the Church
Paul then "made havoc of the church, entering every business firm, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison" (Acts eight:iii). Members of the Church in Jerusalem fled to other areas to try to escape from Paul.
Just he got permission to chase after them, fifty-fifty to Damascus! Paul would exist able to arrest Christians in that location and elevate them the long 140 miles back to Jerusalem.
Paul was the enemy of the Christians. He was probably the one they feared the most.
Only then came a miraculous event that drastically changed the course of Paul'south life.
On the road to Damascus
"Equally he journeyed he came near Damascus, and of a sudden a light shone around him from heaven. Then he savage to the basis, and heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are yous persecuting Me?'
"And he said, 'Who are Yous, Lord?'
"Then the Lord said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is difficult for you lot to kick against the goads'" (Acts 9:3-5). A goad was a sharp stick used to prod cattle to move, and then Jesus was telling him information technology was foolish to resist—that he was being similar a stubborn ox in standing to persecute Jesus' followers in spite of the misgivings he must accept been feeling.
In an instant, Paul's whole betoken of view changed. He now knew that Jesus had come up dorsum to life and was his Master. Even though Paul was blinded by the light, for the offset time he could really see. He had been blind spiritually, but God was offset to open his eyes.
Paul's response
"And so he, trembling and astonished, said, 'Lord, what exercise You want me to do?'
"And so the Lord said to him, 'Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do'" (verse 6). Paul's companions, who had seen the light but hadn't heard the words he heard (Acts 22:nine), had to pb Paul past the paw. For three days he couldn't run across and he didn't eat or beverage.
Meanwhile, God broke the surprising news to a Christian named Ananias. God told Ananias to go to find "Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, and then that he might receive his sight" (verses eleven-12).
Ananias was stunned! Had he heard correctly?
"Lord, I have heard from many near this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has say-so from the master priests to bind all who call on Your name" (verses 13-xiv).
Paul repented, was baptized, received the souvenir of God's Holy Spirit and accepted the mission God gave him. He made a complete U-turn in his life.
Only God reassured Ananias that this was really part of His plan. He had an important mission for Paul. Notwithstanding, Paul, who had caused many people to suffer, would as well have to suffer many things for the sake of Christ's name.
Paul repented, was baptized, received the gift of God's Holy Spirit and accepted the mission God gave him. He made a consummate U-turn in his life.
"Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God" (poetry 20). He began educational activity the things that he would take killed others for saying simply a few days earlier! No wonder "all who heard were amazed" (verse 21).
Paul's calling on the road to Damascus became an of import part of his story. The Bible records him telling information technology in detail to an angry oversupply in Jerusalem (Acts 22:one-21). He told it again when defending himself before Male monarch Agrippa and the Roman governor Festus (Acts 26:one-23). (Though some feel there are contradictions betwixt the diverse accounts, a careful study shows that they are all complementary. For more on this, see "Route to Damascus: a Bible Contradiction?")
Paul also wrote often almost the importance of God's calling for every Christian. Each follower of Christ has a unique story of God'due south calling, merely essentially Christians have the aforementioned calling. As Paul wrote, God "has saved us and chosen the states with a holy calling" (2 Timothy 1:9).
The Christian calling
The Bible gives other examples of men and women being called to follow Christ, and most of their stories were not as dramatic as Paul's. Most did not include concrete miracles.
Only everyone who is called by God does experience a spiritual miracle—the opening of his or her mind to understand God's truth and calling. This phenomenon, though silent and invisible, is one of the greatest possible miracles. It gives u.s. the chance to be part of the family of the all-powerful Creator God.
Jesus said, "No one can come to Me unless the Male parent who sent Me draws him; and I will heighten him up at the last mean solar day" (John half-dozen:44).
People who answer this miraculous calling will exist able to live forever as sons and daughters of God (2 Corinthians vi:xviii)!
For more than about how God calls people to become followers of Christ, see the article "God Calling!" If y'all feel God is calling you, nosotros encourage you to also download our free booklet Change Your Life! It describes the steps that God wants us to have to answer to His calling.
About the Author
Mike Bennett
Mike Bennett is editorial content manager for the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, in the Dallas, Texas, area. He coordinates the Life, Promise & Truth website, Discern magazine, the Daily Bible Verse Blog and the Life, Promise & Truth Weekly Newsletter (including World Sentinel Weekly). He is also function of the Personal Correspondence team of ministers who have the privilege of answering questions sent to Life, Promise & Truth.
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Source: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/bible-study/bible-stories/paul-and-the-road-to-damascus/
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