Articles

Articles

Accepting Brother Paul - Acts 9

Accepting Brother Paul - Acts 9

He approved of the stoning of Stephen. He ravaged the church in Jerusalem, imprisoning many – both men and women. He began an official trip to Damasus to ‘arrest’ and bring disciples back to Jerusalem.

Then he had a confrontation with the resurrected glorified Jesus. After being baptized, he immediately began preaching Jesus saying He is the Son of God,” and ‘proving that Jesus is the Christ (Acts 9:20, 22).  Upon escaping the plot against him, he began preaching throughout the surrounding area.

THEN, he returns to Jerusalem and tries to join himself with the disciples.

WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE WITH HIM? Accept him? Forgive him?  What if it was your mom or dad or husband or wife that he was responsible for their imprisonment or death? Would you have been a Barnabas and publicly supported him?

Discipleship can be difficult! God forgives, but we struggle when it is US that has been harmed by a brother. People of evil reputation are converted, what do I do in response to them?  Here are the instructions for us:

31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.  32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:31-32)

Would you have treated Paul in this manner? How are you treating your brethren today? 

Hugh DeLong