Ray Bentley/ACTS 9:10-25
When Saul of Tarsus met the risen Jesus, a radical person underwent a radical change. Into the darkened chambers of Saul’s mind an explosion of light revealed the ignorance and error of his entire former life. Saul became the Apostle Paul. His conversion teaches us the Gospel of grace. Paul was discipled by Ananias, an ordinary disciple God used to lay hands upon Paul that he might be healed, receive his sight, and receive the empowering of the Holy Spirit! Two things disciples need to learn: 1)They need to understand the difference between a transactional religion of good works, and the Gospel of Grace. 2) They need the help of a disciple who knows what it is to feel inadequate and apprehensive.
Have you ever known someone you think will never become a Christian? They embarrass you or mock you; they seem to live to make your life miserable. Welcome to a fitting description of Saul of Tarsus, who became the apostle Paul. Young Saul was the Enemy, Persecutor and relentless pursuer of Chris...
God leads us by the Holy Spirit, one step at a time. He led Philip, instructing, "Go to Gaza...a desert." Take the first step. God sees every heart yearning for Him, and will take extraordinary measures to bring His Love and truth to every true seeker. He sent Philip to the Ethiopian Jew. The...
Trials are actually good for the Kingdom of God. Persecution does for the Church what wind does to seed; it scatters it and produces a harvest! Saul, (who became Apostle Paul), persecuted men and women, often to death. But God used Saul's rage. Years later, Saul/Paul spent time in fellowship wit...
