TUESDAY March 21, 2023
A Man with a Mission
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
In Acts 8, there are four important people who we shall study about: Saul of Tarsus, Phillip the Evangelist, Simon the Sorcerer, and the Ethiopian Eunuch, the treasurer to the Queen of Ethiopia. Philip was tremendously used by God to share the Gospel with the Ethiopian man.
Who was Saul of Tarsus? He was a Jew––a Pharisee. He was well-educated as he had studied under Gamaliel a highly esteemed Pharisee, and an expert teacher of Jewish Law. At this time, persuading himself that he was doing the right thing, Saul was a man with a mission, he set out to persecute, imprison and kill Christians! Actually, though he did not realize it, he was literally persecuting Jesus Christ. After his true conversion, Saul became Paul the Apostle––an incredible man of God among the many men who ever lived in Church history. He had a miraculous conversion.
When someone is converted to Christianity, there is a marked change in their lives––a transformation takes place. Then over weeks, months and years, they grow and mature in Christ. I highly recommend that if you want to grow as a Christian, find a church that teaches the Word of God.
When God touches your life there is a transformation. You are no longer a fornicator, adulterer or a liar. Christians do trip and fall, but they are not to continue in the same lifestyle that they were in prior to becoming a Christian––no possible way. The book of Romans, which Paul the Apostle wrote, clearly defines the transformation that takes place in the life of a Christian. We must not take advantage of God’s grace (Romans 6:1-2).
When some people accept Jesus, they never seem to grow in Christ. Some are not true conversions. There are people who are just like Simon the sorcerer, (not that they are sorcerers), they see the power of God, and acknowledge Christ, but they are never truly born again of God’s Spirit. They have a head knowledge of Christ, but no life transformation––change. Without genuine regeneration something is deathly wrong.
Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion––it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.
~Billy Graham~