Saturday, May 25, 2024

The CHOSEN vessel

 

Acts 9:20

King James Version

20 And straightway 

he preached Christ in the synagogues, 

that he is the Son of God.


Is it possible for wicked people to change?

We only need to look to the story of apostle Paul.

Who is greatly respected for his devotion to CHRIST.

But he once persecuted followers of the LORD.

Acts 9:1-2

King James Version

9 And Saul, 

yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter 

against the disciples of the Lord, 

went unto the high priest,

2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, 

that if he found any of this way, 

whether they were men or women, 

he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.


But one day, all that changed.

Acts 9:3-9

King James Version

3 And as he journeyed, 

he came near Damascus: 

and suddenly there shined round about him 

a light from heaven:

4 And he fell to the earth, 

and heard a voice saying unto him, 

Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

5 And he said, 

Who art thou, Lord? 

And the Lord said, 

I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: 

it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

6 And he trembling and astonished said, 

Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? 

And the Lord said unto him, 

Arise, 

and go into the city, 

and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, 

hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

8 And Saul arose from the earth; 

and when his eyes were opened, 

he saw no man: 

but they led him by the hand, 

and brought him into Damascus.

9 And he was three days without sight, 

and neither did eat nor drink.


The LORD also appears to Ananias, a disciple in Damascus:

Acts 9:11-12

King James Version

11 And the Lord said unto him, 

Arise, 

and go into the street which is called Straight, 

and enquire in the house of Judas 

for one called Saul, of Tarsus: 

for, behold, he prayeth,

12 And hath seen in a vision 

a man named Ananias coming in,

 and putting his hand on him, 

that he might receive his sight.


Ananias remembers who Saul is.

Acts 9:13-14

King James Version

13 Then Ananias answered, 

Lord, I have heard by many of this man, 

how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests 

to bind all that call on thy name.


But the LORD states:

Acts 9:15-16

King James Version

15 But the Lord said unto him, 

Go thy way: 

for he is a chosen vessel unto me, 

to bear my name before the Gentiles, 

and kings, 

and the children of Israel:

16 For I will shew him how great things 

he must suffer for my name's sake


That sealed the destiny of apostle Paul.

We also learn that he authored 13 books of the Bible.

I discovered that Paul has a lovely way of greeting others.

Click this link for the next post.


Image: Free Bible Images


The CHOSEN vessel

  Acts 9:20 King James Version 20 And straightway  he preached Christ in the synagogues,  that he is the Son of God . Is it possible for wic...