So here is the deal, Saul was a Pharisee and a religious zealot - he was so determined to do what is right, and he believed he was right in persecuting Christianity. He was on his way to Damascus to round up a batch of new converts to the Christian faith, and to bring them back to face persecution or death for their beliefs. In the midst of his journey, he was confronted on the road by Jesus, and asked, "Why are you persecuting Me?"
There are 4 great truths we can learn from this passage of Scripture, and from Saul's ultimate response to Jesus' question. And we can find application for our lives in the process. Let's look at the first truth from this passage.
1. When we persecute other believers, we are persecuting Christ (Acts 9:4).
Jesus was saying to Saul, and to us, when you persecute these Christian believers, you are persecuting Me. Jesus was actually asking the question in a way as to cause Saul to think about what he was doing. And it is something we should be doing as well. Any time we come against another Christian believer, in word or in deed, we are in fact coming against Christ. Each one of us makes up a part of the body of believers with Christ being the Head (Eph. 4:15). So in effect, we are coming against Christ.
Saul had just been part of a group of men who had stoned Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Saul had done this because Stephen had shared the Gospel message of Jesus Christ being the Messiah. This testimony infuriated Saul, and others, as they could not accept Jesus' deity, and Lordship. This leads us to our second truth we can learn from this passage of Scripture.
2. Jesus Christ is Lord (Acts 9:5).
Saul had witnessed the truth of God's Word being shared by Stephen, and the seed was planted deep within his heart. Saul had looked upon Stephen, and Acts 6:15 records Stephen's face shone like an angel. Now Saul was being confronted by the Lord on the road to Damascus. Saul, knowing it was the Lord of Heaven, had only one question he absolutely needed to have answered, and so as he fell to his knees, he asked.
Who are You, Lord? Acts 9:5 (NKJV)
The answer confirmed what Saul probably already knew in his heart; it was Jesus.
- Jesus Christ is Lord, and He is the Messiah who was sent to save the human race from sin (John 3:16-21).
- Jesus was the One who paid for all sin by dying on the cross (Col. 1:19-21; Heb. 10:10).
- Jesus is the One who rose from the grave 3 days after His death (1 Cor. 15:4).
- Jesus is the One who sits on the right side of the Father and makes intercession for His Children--those who believe in Him (Rom. 8:34).
Hey Christian, there are many today who try to deny who Jesus is. Some will say He was a good man. Others will say He was a messenger from God. While others will say He is just a prophet. Satan will do anything he can to distort the truth of who Jesus is. We need to know and believe who He is if we are to be saved. Jesus is Lord. Jesus is God (See Matt. 1:23; John 1:1-3, 14; Rom. 9:5; 1 John 5:20; 1 Tim. 3:15-16.)
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. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1-3, 14 (NKJV)
STUDY QUESTION: According to Acts 9:1-6, who is the Lord? According to John 1:1 what can we learn about Jesus being God?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Who is Jesus to you? Is He your Lord? Is He your Savior? Is He your God?
APPLICATION: Read your Bible, and share the Gospel message. Don't let anyone tell you that Jesus is anything less than fully God.
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