Samuel Chadwick wrote, “The Church is the Body of Christ, and the Spirit is the Spirit of Christ. He fills the Body, directs its movements, controls its members, inspires its wisdom, supplies it’s strength. He guides into truth, sanctifies its agents, and empowers for witnessing. The Spirit has never abdicated His authority nor relegated His power.” In Acts 9, the Holy Spirit chose the greatest terrorist, Saul, to trust Christ and as a chosen instrument to bear His name to the Gentiles. God chooses and builds up His church.
Saul went to the high priest to get letters so he could find disciples and bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he approached Damascus, a light from heaven flashed around him, he fell to the ground and a voice asked why Saul was persecuting Him. He said, “Who are Thou, Lord?” He answered that it was Jesus who Saul was persecuting and he should enter the city to be told what to do next. He was in Damascus three days without sight and did not eat or drink (Acts 9:1-9). God chooses who He brings to faith including those who persecute Him.
The Lord spoke to a disciple named Ananias in a vision so he would go to the street called Straight and inquire at a house where Saul was praying expecting Ananias to lay hands on him to regain his sight. After Ananias expressed concerns about Saul’s violent reputation, the Lord said that Saul was His chosen instrument to bear His name before the Gentiles, kings and Israel for He would show how much he must suffer for His name’s sake. When Ananias laid hands on him, scales fell from Saul’s eyes, he regained his sight, was filled with the Holy Spirit, baptized, took food and was strengthened (Acts 9:10-19a). God chooses how He brings someone to faith and their role in God’s kingdom.
Saul was with the disciples for several days in Damascus and proclaimed Jesus as the Son of God in the synagogues, which amazed people. He increased in strength and confounded the Jews proving Jesus is the Christ. The Jews plotted to kill Saul. His disciples took him by night and lowered him in a large basket (Acts 9:19b-25). God grows believers through success and failure in ministry.
The disciples were afraid of Saul when he tried associating with them. Barnabas defended him by explaining to the apostles how Saul had seen the Lord. When he spoke the Lord’s name boldly in Jerusalem, the Hellenistic Jews tried putting him to death. The brethren sent Saul away to Tarsus (Acts 9:26-30). Believers experience persecution and prejudice as they share the gospel, even from fellow believers.
The church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace being built up. It experienced the fear of the Lord and comfort of the Holy Spirit while continuing to increase (Acts 9:31). The church grows numerically as it’s built up in the fear of the Lord and comfort of the Holy Spirit.
Peter healed a paralyzed man named Aeneas in the name of Jesus. Those in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. A disciple named Tabitha who abounded with deeds of kindness and charity fell sick and died. Peter came to her and said, “Tabitha, arise.” She arose alive and many in Joppas believed in the Lord (Acts 9:32-43). God adds people to the church as they see healing miracles and believe in Christ.
Share with someone how Christ chose you to faith in Christ, Consider how God is using you as a chosen instrument. How has God used success and failure in ministry to grow you spiritually? Thank God that He uses the fear of the Lord and comfort of the Holy Spirit to bring you and others to faith in Christ.
