But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, till there was no remedy.  ~2 Chronicles 36:16

The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts.  ~Psalm 10:4

People who reject God and the truths found in His Word, all share that common trait; they do not know Him. In fact, knowing God or understanding His truth is nowhere on their list of things-to-do. People may know of God and even acknowledge His existence, but their actions and rejection of the Gospel betray their self willed ignorance of Who He really is.

He has said in his heart, "God has forgotten; He hides His face; He will never see."  ~Psalm 10:11

The most frustrating witnessing encounters I have had are with those people who will acknowledge God and agree with everything the Scripture says, yet reject Christ. The reason they give always reveals the "god" they know is not God Almighty revealed in the Bible and the person of Jesus Christ. Even if you give them biblical proof their concept of God is in error, they stubbornly cling to their own "god". It is evident their change of mind and heart can only come from divine intervention.

All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.  ~Matthew 11:27

Only by God's sovereign power can anyone come to know Him in a saving way. Scripture reveals that mankind rejects the knowledge of God and seeks to usurp His rule over creation. All of us have bought the lie that we can be God and we need not subject ourselves to anyone else. How merciful that Jesus Christ reveals God to even one sinner. The promise that was given to those who know God and seek Him will not be forsaken.

And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.  ~Psalm 9:10

 Brother Paul Washer makes the Gospel very clear again...

The timing of the rapture has proven to be both a thought provoking and devisive issue among Christians. No one it seems lacks an opinion or thought on the subject. My own denomination recently "clarified" its articles of faith concerning this issue at the annual conference...

We believe in the pretribulational rapture of the church, an event that can occur at any moment, and that at that moment the dead in Christ shall be raised in glorified bodies, and the living in Christ shall be given glorified bodies without tasting death, and all shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air before the seven years of the Tribulation.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 51-54; Philippians 3:20, 21; Revelation 3:10

My denomination wanted to ensure there was no question on where it stood on the timing of the Rapture. The question I have is how important is it in relation to other Christian issues and doctrine? Since it seems everyone has a position on this issue, what is yours? Comments are now open...

Previous Series Links:
The Sovereignty of God on the Damascus Road: Introduction
The Sovereignty of God on the Damascus Road: Saul's Past

Who did Saul hate?

Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.  ~Acts 9:1,2

The first installment of this series we began by looking at who the Apostle Paul was before his conversion on the Damascus road; the man Saul of Tarsus. The first verse of Acts chapter 9 begins by describing Saul’s state of mind; he is breathing threats and murder. I think it is important to note whom his hatred and murderous threats are directed against...

“Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord”

As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.  ~Acts 8:3

Here is Paul’s own testimony before King Agrippa about his former persecution of the Church...

“Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.  ~Acts 26:9-11

When Saul went from city to city searching for Christians to bind and return to Jerusalem, what would he look for? In other words, what were the distinctions of those early Christians that enabled him to identify them as disciples of Jesus Christ? Who were these people of the Way, how would you characterize them?

The first thing to consider is Saul was looking for Jews. He was not after gentile believers as they made up only a tiny fraction of the church at this time. Saul was primarily after Jewish converts as evidenced by the fact he needed letters from the high priest to the local synagogues (Acts 9:1,2).

Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.  ~Acts 9:1,2

So, Saul arrives into town and makes contact with the local Jewish leaders to inform them what he is doing and probably to gather information about who might be a Christian. He then begins his search and what does he look for? What sort of person catches his Christian hating eye? Jesus gives us a clue about these disciples of His...

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.”  ~John 8:31

The person Saul hates and wants to take bound to Jerusalem to be executed abides in the word of Jesus. The word “abide” is the Greek word μείνητε, which means “remain, continue, or stay” The point being a true disciple of Jesus Christ continues in His Word. At my house we call that “obedience”. The next installment we will review an example of a true disciple of Jesus Christ and why Saul might hate him so. Please read Acts chapter 7 and ask yourself if Saul found you during his early days, would he have taken you bound to Jerusalem?

So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.   ~Luke 14:33

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.  ~Psalm 119:105

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.  ~John 1:1-5

One result of God's Word is that it will divide humanity. It will forever separate the believer from the non-believer and it separates those who are wise in their own eyes from those who humbly seek God. The Holy Bible divides and separates family and friends. God's Word separates those who love and trust Him from those who love and trust someone or something else. The Living Word of God says so.

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.”  ~Matthew 10:34-37

God knows and understands the very thoughts and intentions of our hearts, after all He created us. He knows all of us are corrupt and we will lie to Him, to each other, and even to ourselves. So then, where can we find truth? Our Father in heaven has provided a way for us to know the truth through His written Word. His Word provides for us a standard by which we can judge all things. The Scriptures provide the only light whereby we can find our way through this life to fellowship with God in the next. If we begin to question the validity, or fairness of God's Word, we are at once on dangerous ground. We find ourselves contemplating the very thing that Satan used on Eve when he convinced her to disobey God and eat the forbidden fruit. The serpent planted the seed that maybe, just maybe, what God said isn't so.

Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”  ~Genesis 3:1

It is our pride which causes us to question God. When we begin to think that maybe God was unable to give us something completely trustworthy by which we could govern our lives and learn of His great salvation, we are reducing Him down to our level, or exalting ourselves to His. These words may sound harsh, but we must remember our place in our relationship to God. It is not a relationship of equals, but a relationship between the Creator and His creation. Our salvation comes by God's grace through faith, and faith is casting all doubt aside and completely trusting and relying on God alone. If you truly want to know the truth then cast aside all preconceived notions or things taught by the world and seek God, trust Him for He promises to teach, guide, and save to the uttermost.

But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.  ~Deuteronomy 4:29

Previous Series Links:
The Sovereignty of God on the Damascus Road: Introduction

What was Saul like before his conversion?

Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.  ~Acts 9:1,2

When reading the narrative account from Acts chapter 9, we would do well to remember where Luke got this information. The Apostle Paul himself would have recounted these events for Luke to record, so in a sense Paul describes his own assessment of whom and what he was before that day he met Christ. Let's begin this study by looking at the first part of verse 1:

“Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord”

Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.  ~Acts 7:57,58

The very next chapter Luke relates Saul was not only present at the murder of Stephen, but he was in agreement with it and inspired by it for more...

Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.  ~Acts 8:1-3

The very idea of “breathing threats and murder” is how Paul would describe his own attitude towards Christians before conversion. Threats and murder are what he drew his breath from and it sustained him. Finding and putting to death Christians is what got Saul out of bed in the morning! So then let it be noted that on the day Saul met Christ on the Damascus Road, repented of his sin and trusted Jesus Christ as Savior, his heart was filled with a hateful and murderous desire for Christians. Even up to the very moment of his conversion Saul was totally depraved, totally unable to know God on his own. Again, Saul's own words...

For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.  ~Galatians 1:13

Saul had the heart typical of any unbeliever. Later, many years after his conversion, he wrote a letter to a body of believers in Rome and in it he describes every man, woman, and child before salvation...

What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin. As it is written:

There is none righteous, no, not one;
There is none who understands;
There is none who seeks after God.
They have all turned aside;
They have together become unprofitable;
There is none who does good, no, not one.
Their throat is an open tomb;
With their tongues they have practiced deceit;

“The poison of asps is under their lips;
Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.
Their feet are swift to shed blood;
Destruction and misery are in their ways;
And the way of peace they have not known.
There is no fear of God before their eyes.

A few years ago when I began studying the Doctrines of Grace and whether mankind was totally depraved, I came across this clear statement made by the Apostle Paul...

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.  ~1 Corinthians 2:14

The point here is the “natural man” (unsaved) is incapable of receiving the things of God. It is not a matter of choice, but inability. In his book “What’s So Great About The Doctrines of Grace?” Richard Phillips said this...

Sin has corrupted man’s thinking in such a way that people lack the ability to understand the truth about themselves, God, and the world.

Saul was a typical man with an unsaved and unregenerate heart. He was ignorant of God and His Christ and in going about establishing his own fallen brand of righteousness; Saul lived for threats and murder of God’s people. What was Saul like before his conversion? He was totally depraved, totally unable to understand God and seek Him. Just like you... just like me.

God is sovereign over all of His creation including all aspects of salvation. A little over a year ago I would have argued against that statement. I would not have agreed God chooses whom He will save and chooses whom He will not save. After spending months of study in the book of Romans and particularly in chapter 9, I came to the inevitable conclusion that God saves those whom He has elected for that purpose.

I want to begin a study from the ninth chapter of Acts, working verse by verse through the Apostle Paul's meeting with Jesus Christ on the Damascus Road and subsequent conversion. I am drawn to this passage because there are some parallels between what happened to him on his way to Damascus and my own conversion (I am not insinuating in any way that I am like the Apostle Paul).

The argument I want to put forth is God is sovereign over every detail and aspect of our salvation. And to a lesser degree attempt to answer why God saves us in the manner He chooses. In other words, why doesn't God save everybody like He did Paul on the Damascus Road? The passage I want to work through is Acts 9:1-31, and breaking it into four parts:

     I.    Saul is Converted - Acts 9:1-9
     II.   Saul is Baptized - Acts 9:10-19
     III.  Saul is Persecuted - Acts 9:20-25
     IV.  Saul is Befriended - Acts 9:26-31  

If you would like to take part in this study and accompanying discussion take some time to read the passage and spend some time focusing on verses 1 and 2 as that is where the study will begin. The first two verses will lead us into a look first at who Saul was before he became known to us as the Apostle Paul. Each of the four parts of the passage will be covered by multiple posts as we work verse by verse (sometimes clause by clause) through the passage.

To get your wheels turning let me ask this question. Does God specifically choose whom He will save?

For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake.  ~Acts 9:16

So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.  ~Acts 5:41

Peter and some of the other Apostles were taken before the Sanhedrin Council to answer the charge of teaching and preaching Jesus at the temple. After examining the Apostles and taking council, they decided to beat them and charge them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus. After departing from the council, havening been beaten and publically shamed, how did the Apostles respond? Did they weep, lament and cry out to God in bitterness? No, they rejoiced; they were good stewards of the suffering.

Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.  ~1 Corinthians 4:2

There are a number of things God places into our care, all of which should be used for His purposes, His glory. There are even times God entrusts to our stewardship, pain and suffering. Regardless of the substance of our stewardship, the chief goal is to be found faithful in how that stewardship is carried out. Pain and suffering are circumstances that provide a unique opportunity to glorify God. Consider how the name of Jesus Christ is magnified when it is our faith in Him that enables us to endure disease, tragedy, or persecution.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.  ~2 Corinthians 12:10

As with anything else placed into our care, pain and suffering can be spent foolishly or selfishly. It is all too easy to wallow in self pity or doubt when confronted with personal suffering or persecution. I know, because there have been times when I squandered opportunities to glorify my Savior during times of suffering within my own family. Beloved, let us not forsake the blessed stewardship of suffering when it is granted by our Lord, but endeavor to glorify Him and faithfully discharge that duty with rejoicing.

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.  ~1 Peter 4:12,13

 My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on Your statutes.  ~Psalm 119:48

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.  ~1 John 5:3

Our love for God and His place in our lives can be measured by our attitude toward His Word. If all we can get out of reading the Bible is a list of burdensome commandments, then we must question our relationship with Him. If we truly love God, then we do not see a list of do's and don'ts within the pages of the Bible, but instead we find words of life and instruction unto righteousness.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness  ~2 Timothy 3:16

The entirety of Scripture is inspired by God, every page, every sentence, every word. It is perfect instruction from a Holy God to a people lost and enslaved by sin. God, in His infinite wisdom, has given us a source of truth that will never change, but one that has power to change our hearts! His Word is like fresh clear water that cleanses us and revives our soul. Can you imagine trying to cross the desert without water? To take it one step further, to bring the water with you but only take a sip from it once or even ignore it altogether. The Word of God is an infinite source of life giving water and that is where we should find ourselves planted…

He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.  ~ Psalm 1:3

The lack of, or abundance of God's Word in our lives has a direct impact on our spiritual life and well-being. When we are Born Again, there should be a desire, a thirst for all that God has to say. The Bible provides that spiritual water so that we might drink daily, even moment by moment. Some of us however, have become spiritual camels, and only come to the water one day a week and go thirsty the other six. I pray that God plants within you a greater desire for His Word and that you would search the Scriptures diligently to see if these things that I say are so. When once you begin to take in God's Word don't forget what is supposed to happen next…

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  ~James 1:22

But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.  ~James 3:8

Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?  ~James 3:10,11

James says you shouldn't be able to find both fresh and bitter water at the same well. Think of it, if you were to live in a hot arid desert, would you travel to a well for a drink if you knew that you may find bitter, undrinkable water? We should ask ourselves a question today; what kind of well am I? Can people come to me and find something which blesses and refreshes the soul, or is it possible that they may find bitter and undrinkable water polluted by sin. Where does this bitter water come from? If our mouth is a well of water, then it is our heart which is the spring supplying it…

But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.  ~Matthew 15:18

When Jesus was questioned by the Pharisees about His disciples eating with unwashed hands, He used the opportunity to point out it is not that which enters into a person which defiles them, but that which comes forth out of the heart. It is not some outside influence or circumstance which causes us to sin; the outside influences are catalysts which reveal the sin already present in the heart. It is like taking a glass of water in one hand and striking it with the other. The result is water on the floor. The water does not end up on the floor because you struck the glass, but because when the glass was struck there was water already in it…

Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.  ~Proverbs 4:23

When we say those things which require an apology later, then what we really want to look at is our heart. When the Bible speaks of our heart in this manner it is not talking about the muscle that pumps blood throughout our bodies, but it speaks of that inner person where our thoughts, emotions, soul, and spirit are. That part of us where only we can see and no one else. The writer of this proverb exhorts us to keep or guard our heart with all diligence. We are to guard our hearts against the evil and corruptive influences of this world. When we allow worldliness into our lives, even a little, we will see it later in our thoughts, words, and deeds. Oh yes, there is One other who can "see" into our hearts…

Would not God search this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.  ~Psalm 44:21