A Micro-Group Look at Acts 22:6-21
Pondering Point
As we look into Paul’s life, we see that although he was brought up in the ways of God as a Jew (Acts 22:3), his rejection and persecution of Jesus put him at odds with Jesus and with God the Father. But God would get His man – using Jesus directly as well as some non-family members to introduce him to a life of grace, faith and service. Here is a testimony of that in Paul’s own words:
Acts 22:6-21
6 “About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’
8 “‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked.
“ ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. 9 My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me.
10 “‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked.
“ ‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’ 11 My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me.
12 “A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. 13 He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment I was able to see him.
14 “Then he said: ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. 15 You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’
17 “When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw the Lord speaking to me. ‘Quick!’ he said. ‘Leave Jerusalem immediately, because the people here will not accept your testimony about me.’
19 “‘Lord,’ I replied, ‘these people know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat those who believe in you. 20 And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’
21 “Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ”
While Paul experienced his call from God individually, he carried out his call in MG/SGs such as the Holy Spirit put together in Acts 13. Having no wife or child, Paul was free to travel readily in his ministry to the Gentiles (and Jews). God’s people became family for him – both those he travelled with and those he travelled to.
Prayer
Father God, thank You for bringing non-family members into my life who share a love of Jesus. Let these people become partners in Christ as we honor You. Amen.
This is the fourth week of the Micro-Group lessons.
The start of the first week is available here.
The start of the second week is available here.
The third week starts here.
The fourth week starts here.
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