Bryant Wright, Founder

“‘Lord,’ Ananias answered, ‘I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.’ But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.’” Acts 9:13-16

His name was Saul.

Believing wholeheartedly in orthodox Judaism, Saul persecuted the followers of Jesus until an event occurred one day that forever changed both his life and the course of history.

We are all too familiar with religious terrorism today. Sadly these people truly believe that what they are doing is right. Saul was no different. He sincerely believed that imprisoning, persecuting and even murdering followers of Jesus was the right thing to do – He was sure that it pleased God.

In Acts 9:1, Saul is described as “breathing threats” against the church. In other words, he was completely consumed with anger towards these “heretical Jews” who would abandon traditional Judaism to follow Jesus as a Savior.

So what happened?

Suddenly, on the way to Damascus, Jesus, who he thought to be dead, appeared to Saul. Immediately, his world was completely turned upside down. Everything he had believed in was wrong. On top of everything else, Saul was struck blind for three days to wrestle with everything that had happened and all that he had done. What a humbling conviction of self-righteous sin in his life.

After three days, God called Ananias to meet Saul. Now for Ananias, this was quite the step of faith. Yet, he obeyed God and went to pray for Saul. At that moment, Saul was filled with the Holy Spirit as his spiritual and physical eyes were opened. His life was forever changed.

Have you encountered Christ? Have you come face to face with your sinful past in light of Christ’s love and grace? Saul went from a religious terrorist to the greatest missionary and theologian in the history of the church.

What’s your excuse? Understand that you are a sinner in need of God and trust in Jesus as your Savior today. 

DIG DEEPER:
Read “Repent and Believe” also by Bryant Wright