Bible Study - Life After Physical Death - 2 Corinthians 12:1-5 Plus - August 30, 2026

 

Bible Study – Life After Physical Death – 2 Corinthians 12:1-5 Plus – August 30, 2026

2 Corinthians 12:1-21:

Greetings to all with prayers for blessings and thanksgiving.

In a previous study, I mentioned that Brother Paul went to Heaven. Copied below is his brief account of that event in his life. Let’s go on that journey with him.

Paul’s journey to the third Heaven as recorded in:

2 Corinthians 12:1-5: Christian Standard Bible

Sufficient Grace – Paul’s Journey to Heaven

Sharing what we have encountered may seem to others that the person who had the experience is boasting. NO!!! The person is sharing an encounter that may help others to add to their knowledge of the mysteries of the unknown and desire to be “Born Again” in his/her spirit through faith in JESUS.

Sufficient Grace

12 Boasting is necessary. It is not profitable, but I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord. ² I know a man in Christ who was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know; God knows. ³ I know that this man—whether in the body or out of the body I don’t know; God knows— ⁴ was caught up into paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a human being is not allowed to speak. ⁵ I will boast about this person, but not about myself, except of my weaknesses.

The first Heaven is where the birds, clouds, etc... are.

The second Heaven is where the sun, moon, stars reside.

The third Heaven is where GOD is.

Those who have read the studies our LORD has led me to write, know that a number of fellow Christians have shared with me their journey to Heaven and back. Our LORD has allowed me to have an experience as well. (My experience is recorded in actsclass.blogspot.com – in the upper left corner of the blog is a blank space. If you type in the name Mrs. Green, it will take you to the experience that came to me, I was not seeking, it was GOD’S Gift.

I quickly add, I am in no way trying to compete with Brother Paul or Brother Ron. I will repeat Brother Ron’s visit to Heaven. Such experiences make us more accountable to GOD.)

Heaven is real and it is the final destination of all who place their faith in JESUS and are “born again.”

Christian Standard Bible

12 Boasting is necessary. It is not profitable, but I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord. ² I know a man in Christ who was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know; God knows. ³ I know that this man—whether in the body or out of the body I don’t know; God knows— ⁴ was caught up into paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a human being is not allowed to speak. ⁵ I will boast about this person, but not about myself, except of my weaknesses.

Where is the third Heaven?

The first Heaven is what we, and the birds enjoy and is vital to our existence – mainly oxygen/the air we breathe.

The second Heaven is where the sun, planets, moon exist.

The third Heaven is where GOD is.

A friend/acquaintance of mine, brother Ron, was in an automobile accident, while he was in Seminary at Clear Creek. Brother Ron was in the hospital in Knoxville; TN. Brother Ron died and was pronounced dead. His body was taken to the basement of the hospital for the funeral home to pick up his body.

A nurse happened to walk past his body, in the basement, and saw his eyelid move and she began resuscitation.

In the meantime, if Brother Ron had not been in the hospital, he would have been in a class at Clear Creek Seminary. The class stopped and began praying for Brother Ron at the seminary.

At the end of their class, the class went to a Chapel program. The class told those who assembled in the Chapel that they could not have their planned program; they had to pray for Brother Ron. Those who attended the Chapel assembly began praying for Brother Ron.

And They did!

Putting the timeline together, when Brother Ron was pronounced dead coincides with his classmate announcing to the class that they had to pray for Brother Ron. When Borther Ron was resuscitated it corresponded to the time the Chapel time ended.

Brothern Ron told me what I have written, himself.

He told me that he went to heaven and was led around Heaven by a horrible looking creature. He said, “There are no human words for him to describe what he saw. He said, he has prayed and asked The LORD to give him the words but as of that time there were no human words to describe what he saw.”

When we have these extraordinary experiences, how do we handle it or them? We know these experiences are out of the ordinary and those who experience it or them are not to get puffed up but to share as GOD gives opportunity.

Back to Paul’s testimony about his experience ------

⁶ For if I want to boast, I wouldn’t be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I will spare you, so that no one can credit me with something beyond what he sees in me or hears from me, ⁷ especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so that I would not exalt myself. ⁸ Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me. ⁹ But he (THE LORD) said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.”

Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. ¹⁰ So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

To sum up Paul’s experience seeing Heaven:

1 Corinthians 2:9

But as it is written, What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived— God has prepared these things for those who love him.

Paul knew, JESUS and that JESUS was in him and was his Savior and LORD. Paul knew his eternal destination was Heaven and eternal life through faith in JESUS.

Do you know where you will go when you die?

If not, eternal life is just a breath way:

Dear JESUS, I am a sinner and I ask YOU to forgive me for all my sins and for YOU to come into my heart/life and make me whole through the miracle of Spiritual Birth when YOUR HOLY SPIRIT unites with my human spirit and I am born again into the eternal family of GOD, never to be unborn.

I rejoice that my citizenship is eternally in Heaven as the result of me being “Born Again” in my human Spirit.

Blessings!!!

 

 

Bible Study - Acts 22:1-30 - Saul's/Paul's Testimony - Acts 22:1-30 - August 23. 2026

 

Bible Study - Acts 22:1-30 - (Saul’s/Paul’s Testimony) – August 23, 2026

Acts 22:1-30: Christian Standard Bible

22:1 “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense before you.” ² When they heard that he was addressing them in Aramaic,^[a] they became even quieter. ³ He continued, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strictness of our ancestral law. I was zealous for God, just as all of you are today. ⁴ I persecuted this Way to the death, arresting and putting both men and women in jail,

[Paul (Saul) told his audience that he was zealous to terminate this Christ professing group called, “the Way.” As presented in last week’s study, “the Way” began sometime during the ministry of JESUS while HE was alive and ministering upon earth.

John 14:6

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Thus, those who believed that JESUS was “the Way” to GOD and eternal life in Heaven became believers and followers of JESUS.

The road to redemption had to be revealed. The Law had been the master of those seeking to be in right relationship with GOD. Various sacrifices had to be made to maintain a person’s relationship with GOD. Worship was outward, which was necessary during these early times until GOD could reveal “Grace” through faith in JESUS, HIS ONLY SON, JESUS.

How was that? JESUS fulfilled “THE LAW” and established “Grace.”

There was a paradigm shift going to take place in the religious practice of the Jews and, in fact, the world. This shift would be going from observing “THE LAW” as the path to Heaven to “Grace” through faith in JESUS, GOD’S SON through a person being “Born Again” through faith in JESUS and HIS Passion.

Observing “THE LAW” was mechanical.

GOD’S redemptive plan through faith in JESUS was just that, “redemptive,” “dynamic,” “personal,” “eternal,” and confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit, as a person of faith’s eternal guarantee.

God wanted to make known among both the Jews and the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Sin came into the world, as we read in Genesis 3:20-24:

²⁰ The man named his wife Eve^[g] because she was the mother of all the living. ²¹ The Lord God made clothing from skins for the man and his wife, and he clothed them.

The first animal sacrifice was made to provide clothing for Adam and Eve after they sinned.

²² The Lord God said, “Since the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil, he must not reach out, take from the tree of life, eat, and live forever.” ²³ So the Lord God sent him away from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken.

²⁴ He drove the man out and stationed the cherubim and the flaming, whirling sword east of the garden of Eden to guard the way to the tree of life.

Sin came into the world and had to be dealt with for GOD’S complete redemptive plan for the people of earth. The sacrifice of an animal, by the shedding of its blood, was a place holder until the shed blood of JESUS could pay, in full, for all sin, for those who place their faith in JESUS as GOD’S only SON.

We take a giant leap to Saul’s conversion experience on the road to Damascus.

Saul/Paul was testifying about his conversion experience after JESUS had been crucified, buried, resurrected, revealed Himself to over 500 people after JESUS was resurrected.

GOD had raised JESUS from the dead on the third day. THE resurrected JESUS revealed Himself to HIS disciples and many others who were alive upon earth at that time. In fact, JESUS revealed Himself to over 500 people following HIS resurrection before HIS resurrected body ascended into Heaven to take HIS seat at the right hand of GOD, HIS FATHER. Why? HIS work upon earth was finished but there was still work to be done.

Colossians 1:27

God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

CHRIST in you is personal and makes a person complete Spiritually.

 

1 Corinthians 15:20

Christ’s Resurrection Guarantees Ours

But as it is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

2 Corinthians 1:22

He has also put his seal on us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a down payment.

Ephesians 1:13

In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed.

Ephesians 4:30

And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed by him for the day of redemption.

JESUS intercedes on behalf of all “born again” people when we sin.

Yes, born again believers’ sin and when we do, Satan accuses us before GOD/JESUS. JESUS tells Satan to bug off because the people of faith in JESUS are covered by the shed blood of JESUS, eternally.

When a person places his/her faith in JESUS, a miracle takes place quicker than the twinkle of the eye. The person who places his/her faith in JESUS is “born again” in his/her human spirit.

The Divine Sperm, THE HOLY SPIRIT unites with the human spirit, considered as the spiritual egg, results in the miracle of “Spiritual birth.” Thus, the human person of faith in JESUS is born again, Spiritually.

A person’s second birth is Spiritual, eternal, and his/her citizenship is eternally in Heaven ----

Philippians 3:20 Christian Standard Bible

²⁰ Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

This raises many questions: What about aborted babies, unborn fetus, children, mentally challenged, etc.? GOD has a plan for all such issues.

The resurrection and ascension of JESUS into Heaven made ready for the Holy Spirit to indwell the human body. When any person asks JESUS to forgive him or her for his/her sins and asks JESUS to come into his/her heart, it is THE HOLY SPIRIT that unites with that person’s human spirit for that person to be “born again” Spiritually and eternally.

After JESUS ascended into Heaven, JESUS took HIS seat at the right hand of GOD to reveal to Satan and his demons that HE, JESUS, had accomplished and completed the redemptive cycle, such that all who place their faith in JESUS are “born again,” are an eternal Child of GOD, with eternal citizenship in Heaven, and eternal life. The person of faith in JESUS receives THE Holy Spirit as his/her eternal guarantee that he/she has been “Born again”.

1.    2 Corinthians 1:22

it is He who has also put His seal on us [that is, He has appropriated us and certified us as His] and has given us the [Holy] Spirit in our hearts as a pledge [like a security deposit to guarantee the fulfillment of His promise of eternal life].

2.    2 Corinthians 5:5 - Now He who has made us and prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the [Holy] Spirit as a pledge [a guarantee, a down payment on the fulfillment of His promise].

Paul was filled with THE HOLY SPIRIT from the day he encountered JESUS, and throughout his earthly life into eternity.

Did you know that later in Paul’s ministry he went to the third Heaven?

For now, back to Paul’s testimony ---- Saul’s life before his encounter with JESUS on the road to Damascus ----

Paul continues his testimony -----

 ⁵ as both the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about me. After I received letters from them to the brothers, I traveled to Damascus to arrest those who were there and bring them to Jerusalem to be punished.

Paul’s Testimony

⁶ “As I was traveling and approaching Damascus, about noon an intense light from heaven suddenly flashed around me. ⁷ I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’

⁸ “I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’

“He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, the one you are persecuting.’ ⁹ Now those who were with me saw the light,^[b] but they did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me.

¹⁰ “I said, ‘What should I do, Lord?’

YES, Saul heard JESUS and called HIM, “LORD.”

“The Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything that you have been assigned to do.’

That is VERY INTERESTING STATEMENT, “there you will be told everything that you have been assigned to do’.”

“you have been assigned to do”!!!

When GOD calls a person of faith, HE has a plan for their lives. -Back to Paul’s testimony -----

¹¹ “Since I couldn’t see because of the brightness of the light,^[c] I was led by the hand by those who were with me and went into Damascus. ¹² Someone named Ananias, a devout man according to the law, who had a good reputation with all the Jews living there, ¹³ came and stood by me and said, ‘Brother Saul, regain your sight.’ And in that very hour I looked up and saw him. ¹⁴ And he said, ‘The God of our ancestors has appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear the words from his mouth, ¹⁵ since you will be a witness for him to all people of what you have seen and heard. ¹⁶ And now, why are you delaying? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

¹⁷ “After I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance ¹⁸ and saw him telling me, ‘Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’

¹⁹ “But I said, ‘Lord, they know that in synagogue after synagogue I had those who believed in you imprisoned and beaten. ²⁰ And when the blood of your witness Stephen was being shed, I stood there giving approval^[d] and guarding the clothes of those who killed him.’

²¹ “He said to me, ‘Go, because I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”

Paul’s Roman Protection

²² They listened to him up to this point. Then they raised their voices, shouting, “Wipe this man off the face of the earth! He should not be allowed to live!”

²³ As they were yelling and flinging aside their garments and throwing dust into the air, ²⁴ the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, directing that he be interrogated with the scourge to discover the reason they were shouting against him like this. ²⁵ As they stretched him out for the lash, Paul said to the centurion standing by, “Is it legal for you to scourge a man who is a Roman citizen and is uncondemned?”

²⁶ When the centurion heard this, he went and reported to the commander, saying, “What are you going to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.”

²⁷ The commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?”

“Yes,” he said.

²⁸ The commander replied, “I bought this citizenship for a large amount of money.”

“But I was born a citizen,” Paul said.

²⁹ So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately. The commander too was alarmed when he realized Paul was a Roman citizen and he had bound him.

Citizenship has its privileges and so does the “Spirit Born” person whose citizenship is eternally in Heaven, through faith in JESUS.

Paul before the Sanhedrin

³⁰ The next day, since he wanted to find out exactly why Paul was being accused by the Jews, he released him^[e] and instructed the chief priests and all the Sanhedrin to convene. He brought Paul down and placed him before them.

Brother Paul, what a powerful testimony and witness of “CHRIST IN YOU THE HOPE OF GLORY!!!”

The same JESUS that redeemed Paul is also the redeemer of all who place their faith in the risen from the dead JESUS.

Ask JESUS to forgive you for all your sins and for JESUS to come into your heart now, if you haven’t, and forgive you.

If you did, then welcome my Brother or Sister in CHRIST into the eternal Family of GOD through faith in JESUS and the miracle of being “Born Again” Spiritually into GOD’S eternal Family.

Blessings!!!

 

 

 

Bible Study - Saul/Paul's Conversion - August 16, 2026

 

Bible Study – August 16, 2026 – Saul/Paul’s Conversion– August 16, 2026

Back to Saul’s experience on the road to Damascus to arrest Christians ------- Continuing from last week’s study.

Review: (I thought this was interesting – The Romans knew about “the Way” before the crucifixion of JESUS but left them alone until “the Way” began to be a threat.)

The question I had was:

Did Followers of Jesus Call Themselves “The Way” Before His Crucifixion?

[[The earliest followers of Jesus were indeed known as “the Way” before the term “Christian” appeared, and this name appears in the New Testament before the crucifixion. The first clear reference comes in Acts 9:2, where Saul of Tarsus (later Paul) sought letters from the synagogues of Damascus to arrest anyone “belonging to the Way” biblestudytoolbox.com+1. This shows that by the time of Saul’s persecution (around 30–33 CE), the movement had already developed a distinct identity.

The term “the Way” (Greek: hodos) referred to the path or direction of life they followed, shaped by Jesus’ teachings and example. It was not just a label but a description of their way of living—a lifestyle of love, mercy, humility, and obedience to God biblestudytoolbox.com+2. They saw following Jesus as more than adopting a doctrine; it was a journey of transformation.

The name “Christian” first appears later, in Acts 11:26, in Antioch, when the disciples were called “Christians” by outsiders Medium+1. This suggests that “the Way” was the earlier, more familiar self-designation among the believers themselves.

Key points:

• “The Way” appears in Acts 9:2, 18:25, 19:9, 19:23, 22:4, 24:14, and 24:22 biblestudytoolbox.com.
• It was used by both Jews and Gentiles to describe the movement.
• The name reflected their lived experience of following Jesus, not just belief in Him.
• The term “Christian” emerged years later, in a different cultural context.

So yes—before Jesus’ crucifixion, His followers were already known as “the Way”, and this was their primary self-identification in the early years of the movement biblestudytoolbox.com+2.

Legacy

The term “the Way” underscores that early Christianity was about following a living Savior — a journey of discipleship that shaped both belief and behavior biblestudytoolbox.com+1. Today, the name is remembered as a reminder that being a Christian is not just about holding beliefs, but about walking in the way of Christ every day somoscristianos.org.

For the first Christians, “the Way” signified:

• A path of faith and obedience — following Jesus as the true way to God (John 14:6) somoscristianos.org+1.
• A way of life — living out Christ’s teachings in daily decisions, love, forgiveness, and service somoscristianos.org.
• A distinct identity — different from surrounding Jewish and Gentile cultures, with its own ethics, practices, and community life BibleAsk.

They were not merely doctrinal followers; they were people who walked in the footsteps of Jesus, embodying His message in their words and actions somoscristianos.org.

Transition to “Christians”

The name “Christian” first appears in Acts 11:26 in Antioch, where followers of Jesus were called “Christians” by outsiders BibleAsk. This shift likely reflected the growing distinctiveness of the movement and the need for a label that emphasized their allegiance to Christ.]]

Let’s continue to explore Saul’s/Paul’s Journey from observing The Law to Grace through faith in THE RESURRECTED JESUS --------

Who was Saul/Paul? Reminder -----

Saul/Paul was a Pharisee, who studied the Old Testament under the well-known Jewish teacher Gamaliel.

GOD knew the heart of Saul/Paul and his potential, as HE does all of our hearts and potential. Saul was a stalwart for the Law, but he was headed in the wrong direction in search of truth, until he met JESUS in a most profound way.

Often, many of us head on our own volition in the wrong direction in search of truth. We lean to our own understanding and often stubbornness rules our minds over asking JESUS to reveal truth to us.

GOD knows the potential of each of us, if and when we accept JESUS as our Savior. HE has a plan for our lives in HIS Kingdom both upon earth and in Heaven through faith in JESUS. THE HOLY SPIRIT works within our hearts/minds to urge us to seek and discover truth in JESUS, WHO is the pearl of great price to be obtained and personalized as we journey through life.  

Often, we may have to look back to see how the guiding hands of GOD have done just that, guided us into a deeper relationship with HIM and ministry.

Isaiah 1:18

“Let Us Reason”

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be like wool.”

The Prophet Isaiah was looking forward to the time when our sins would be completely wiped away by the shed blood of GOD’S perfect sacrifice. HIS only SON, JESUS.

GOD had a plan for Saul/Paul and GOD has a plan for all who place his/her faith in JESUS-----

WHO will make this possible? GOD’S only Son, JESUS by HIS sinless, physical life upon earth, HIS physical death by the shedding of HIS sinless blood on the cross, confirmed by HIS resurrection from the dead witnessed by HIS disciples and five hundred people and HIS bodily ascension into Heaven to take HIS seat at the righthand of GOD, HIS FATHER to intercede for all “Born again” Christians.

JESUS is the advocate of all who place their faith in HIM before GOD, HIS FATHER. Why?

Satan accuses those who have been “born again” when they sin.

JESUS is the advocate before Satan when the redeemed sin.

When the redeemed sin, they are to confess their sin(s) and ask GOD to forgive, cleanse and restore them. When we do not confess our sins, it gives Satan a path into our lives to defeat us.

All who place their faith in JESUS are eternally redeemed and they are GOD’S eternal Sons or Daughters. Their eternal citizenship is in Heaven. However, it is not okay to live like we choose.

“Born again” Christians have been bought for a price. The perfect acceptable sacrifice to GOD, JESUS THE CHRIST WHO paid the sin debt in full. But all people must accept what JESUS did to pay the sin debt in full through faith in the resurrected and ascended JESUS.   

THE HOLY SPIRIT is the divine sperm, WHO unites with the human spirit, considered as the human spiritual egg. This union of the Holy Spirit with the human spirit results in a human being “Born Again” Spiritually and eternally, through faith in JESUS and HIS Passion.

You may recall what JESUS told Nicodemus, as recorded in:

John 3:1-7:

3 There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. ² This man came to him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform these signs you do unless God were with him.”

³ Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again,^[a] he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

⁴ “How can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked him. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?”

⁵ Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ⁶ Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷ Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again. 

All humans are born first physically, which they had no control over, however all have the opportunity to be “born again” Spiritually through faith in JESUS and HIS Passion.

GOD does have provisions for those die before reaching the Age of Accountability. Many speculate what that age might be but only GOD knows.

I know on a previous study I shared with you the conversation I had with people who died and went to Heaven and saw angels bringing babies to the Heavenly nursery.

The “Born again” person is not only “Born Again” Spiritually but his/her citizenship is eternally established in Heaven.

The singer Burl Ives sang a song, “There is a new name written down in Glory and it is mine.” As a Spirit Born believer in JESUS, so will your name be written in the Lambs Book of Life and you are an eternal citizen of Heaven -----

Philippians 3:20

But [we are different, because] our citizenship is in heaven. And from there we eagerly await [the coming of] the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

What does this mean? As a “born again” Christian through faith in JESUS, in essence the “born again” person is an eternal resident of Heaven, just on assignment for JESUS upon earth until GOD calls him/her to his/her eternal home, Heaven via death or the rapture when JESUS takes the true believers to Heaven ---

WOW!!! Saul was on a lifelong journey of discovery, as he obediently ministered for GOD, JESUS as led by THE HOLY SPIRIT and so are we who have asked JESUS to forgive us for our sins and ask JESUS to come into our hearts. Our journey may or may not be as exciting as Paul’s, but it will be rewarding.

Saul was on the road to his heavenly eternal journey via obedience to JESUS. What a journey brother Paul had ----- And so are all who have been “born again” and desire to serve as The Holy Spirit directs us.

We have an excellent vantage point through GOD’S Word to journey with Paul as GOD, JESUS, and THE HOLY SPIRIT shaped and reveal truth to Saul as his name changed Paul.

The very JESUS’ revelation and revolution Saul was fighting against before he encountered JESUS would become the passion of his life to tell and reveal the truth of JESUS to others --- Let’s explore -------

Acts 9:1-16: (Let’s refocus our minds back to Saul’s reason for going to Damascus)

The Damascus Road – Brief review

9 Now Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. He went to the high priest ² and requested letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem. ³ As he traveled and was nearing Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. ⁴ Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

⁵ “Who are you, Lord?” Saul said.

That statement still excites me ---- “Who are you, Lord?”

Do you think such an encounter would get your attention???

Most certainly!!! Notice Saul’s reaction, “Who are you LORD!!!”

That, to me, is so revealing.

It indicates, to me, that Saul was looking beyond obeying the Law to a personal relationship with GOD and possibly greater assurance of Heaven other than the Law.

Keep in mind that Saul knew the Scriptures/Law ---

So, when Saul heard these words from JESUS, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting,” he replied. 

Did the words of JESUS confirm in Saul’s heart and mind what he had been contemplating in his heart and mind???

We do not know but GOD, JESUS and THE HOLY SPIRIT are communicators and revealers of truth to those who seek truth.

Saul had a love of GOD, for GOD and GOD knew it ----

How was GOD communicating with Saul? In a way, Saul would listen and respond. GOD still communicates with HIS chosen the same today --- In a way HE knows we will pay attention and listen – sunrise, sunset, clouds, music, poetry, still small voice and so many more ways because GOD’S desire is for those HE seeks to respond.

Let’s consider the Prophet Elijah’s mountain top encounter after fleeing from Jezebel ---

1 Kings 19:9-13:

Elijah’s Encounter with the Lord

Suddenly, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

¹⁰ He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Armies, but the Israelites have abandoned your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are looking for me to take my life.”

¹¹ Then he said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the Lord’s presence.”

At that moment, the Lord passed by. A great and mighty wind was tearing at the mountains and was shattering cliffs before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. ¹² After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper. ¹³ When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

We often look for the dramatic, but GOD may communicate with us via “a soft whisper.”

Let’s go on a journey with Saul ------

Step 1 – CHRIST in you the hope of glory ---- JESUS speaks to Saul ---

 ⁶ “But get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Saul was on the ground, and he heard the voice of JESUS, who Saul, likely knew had been crucified, died, and buried from the testimony of Stephen and others. Did Saul know that JESUS was resurrected? Likely. We don’t know for sure, but it is reasonable that Saul knew what was being said about JESUS. He knew that JESUS had a group of followers and now he had a personal encounter with JESUS --- wow!!!

Had the stoning of Stephen prepared him for his encounter with the resurrected JESUS? We do not know but GOD works in mysterious ways. HE goes after the lost sheep and especially when HE knows their potential for HIS Kingdom ----

⁷ The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the sound but seeing no one. ⁸ Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing. So, they took him by the hand and led him into Damascus. ⁹ He was unable to see for three days and did not eat or drink.

Did Saul think about the three days JESUS was in the tomb? Only GOD knows.

Saul’s Baptism

¹⁰ There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.”

“Here I am, Lord,” he replied.

¹¹ “Get up and go to the street called Straight,” the Lord said to him, “to the house of Judas, and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, since he is praying there. ¹² In a vision^[a] he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and placing his hands on him so that he may regain his sight.”

THE LORD gave Ananias clear and detailed instructions and prepares the Way -----

¹³ “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And he has authority here from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

Sometimes the LORD asks us to go to the unlovely, but the GOOD NEWS IS THAT GOD GOES AHEAD OF US -WE HAVE TO TRUST-----

THE LORD heard what Ananias had said about Saul ----

The LORD always prepares the way when HE tells us to go. Our part is to trust as we go -----

¹⁵ But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is my chosen instrument to take my name to Gentiles, kings, and Israelites. ¹⁶ I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

THE LORD gave Ananias HIS stamp of approval!!! That is vital and reassuring when our LORD calls us to go -----

THE LORD said to Ananias, “Go, for this man is my chosen.”

There are times when the LORD calls his chosen to step out in faith, even when the step looks shaky, but when we do, not only is the objective of our LORD achieved but our faith is strengthened and renewed----

“MY Chosen” – THE HOLY SPIRIT is the “born again”/” Spirit Born” person’s guarantee, assurance of salvation and guide through life as those who have been “born again” journey under HIS leadership and direction. Ananias was on a vital mission for GOD because there was a new name written in Glory and in the “Lambs Book OF LIFE.” That was Saul of Tarsus and soon to be Paul.

There was a new name written in Glory and it was Paul.

It was mine when I asked JESUS into my heart years ago. It is yours when you ask JESUS to forgive you for all of your sins and ask JESUS to come into your heart and forgive you for all your sins.

Salvation is not difficult. I have heard of some people just saying “LORD, I give up, please forgive me for my sins and come into my heart.”

What takes place when a person asks JESUS to forgive him or her for their sins and for JESUS to come into his/her heart?

THE HOLY SPIRIT unites with the human spirit, and Spiritual conception takes place quicker than a blink of the eye. Consider the Holy Spirit as the divine sperm.

1 John 3:9

No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, for God’s nature abides in him [His principle of life, the divine sperm, remains permanently within him]; and he cannot practice sinning because he is born (begotten) of God.

John 3:17

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Let’s go back to GOD calling Ananias to go to meet with Saul. GOD may ask HIS Children to go to HIS chosen to minister to them. Ananias knew Saul’s reputation and it was not good. Ananias had to trust GOD.

The same is true when GOD calls us to go and speak to those who may be unlovely or unloving.

GOD always has a plan -----

Back to Acts 9:17:

¹⁷ Ananias went and entered the house. He placed his hands on him (Saul) and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road you were traveling, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

WOW!!! “Brother Saul!!!” What a joy it must have been for both Ananias and Saul ----

¹⁸ At once something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. ¹⁹ And after taking some food, he regained his strength.

When a person receives JESUS as his/her Savior, he/she sees truth clearly. Let the journey continue, seeing and understanding truth --

Saul Proclaiming the Messiah

Saul was with the disciples in Damascus for some time. ²⁰ Immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues: “He is the Son of God.”

²¹ All who heard him were astounded and said, “Isn’t this the man in Jerusalem who was causing havoc for those who called on this name and came here for the purpose of taking them as prisoners to the chief priests?”

WOW!!! When JESUS comes into any person’s life, he or she is transformed by the renewing of their minds as recorded in----

²² But Saul grew stronger and kept confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.

Once you see the truth, it is the GOOD NEWS we want all to hear because it is life changing and eternal----

²³ After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, ²⁴ but Saul learned of their plot. So, they were watching the gates day and night intending to kill him, ²⁵ but his disciples took him by night and lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the wall.

Saul in Jerusalem

²⁶ When he arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, since they did not believe he was a disciple. ²⁷ Barnabas, however, took him and brought him to the apostles and explained to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and that the Lord had talked to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. 

There may be a time in our journey that we may have to take someone in our care and vouch for him or her.

²⁸ Saul was coming and going with them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. ²⁹ He conversed and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. ³⁰ When the brothers found out, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

The Church’s Growth

³¹ So the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

When Saul saw the truth in JESUS, he was compelled to share that truth with others. Saul/Paul’s testimony next study.

 

Blessings!!!