Good Thursday May seventh as we study from God’s Holy Word.
Now I see-
Paul is giving his testimony as to his conversion to Christianity to the Jews standing in the temple courts. In Acts nine Luke has told the story of Paul’s conversion but now Luke records what Paul remembers that day on the road to Damascus. Understand Paul began by introducing himself as equal to those who he is teaching, meaning having the same motives and drives as these who he stands before. Paul says on this road around noon a light brighter than the sun shined on him coming from heaven. Now Paul does say one thing a little different than Luke recorded in chapter nine. Where Luke said those with Paul feared the voice, Paul says they only heard sounds not words. The Greek word used by Luke translates to the word sound. Paul says these men heard only the sound from heaven not the voice as the voice was directed to him. Either way Paul heard the voice and had a conversation and the men with him were overcome by the light and the sounds from heaven. Let’s read together to hear what Paul heard from the Lord from Acts 22:12-16 “Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, came to me; and he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked up at him. Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Paul introduces the man in Damascus whom he was led to, because he was temporarily blind and needed his men to take him to where the Lord told him to go. This man, he is to meet, is Ananias who Paul says is a well respected Jew in Damascus. Again Paul is speaking to Jews and wants to hold their attention. Paul continues, when I was given my physical sight back I starred in the face of this man Ananias. Luke wrote this, Acts 9:17 “Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”Notice what was said by Ananias not just get sight but Paul to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Zechariah 4:6 “So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts.”Many have physical sight but are blind to the truth of God’s word. Many follow others who are blind to God’s word, Paul’s eyes were restored yes physically but not just physical sight, he was given spiritual sight as well when Ananias prayed for him to receive this sight by the power of the Holy Spirit. Ananias reveals God’s plan for Paul’s life, Paul is told that God has chosen him to teach the gospel, “For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
The gift of sight is boosted by spiritual sight, do you have spiritual sight? Remnant