Saul had been Paul, the great persecutor of the early church. Stephen had become the first martyr of the church. Saul had witnessed Stephen’s words and death. Saul fought God’s conviction. Saul meets Jesus on the road to Damascus and his life is changed. He is now known as Paul.

• Paul the letter writer. Paul gives us most of the New Testament books. He is a prolific writer.
• Paul planted Churches throughout the known world. The Christian church grows rapidly because of the ministry of Paul.
• He is known for his message of the free grace of God. Salvation by the grace of God was a unique message. Paul is the greatest missionary the world has ever known.

1 – His exclusive devotion to the Word of God (vs. 1)

Paul had one of the greatest minds ever known. There have been churches that have been known for their devotion to the Word of God but then they went away from it and lost their power. Why do people go to Church on a Sunday morning? It should be to hear the Word of God. .

2 – His call (vs. 2)

God has called Paul to do his work. Paul was divinely called to preach the gospel. His journeys through the length and breadth of the ancient world are nothing short of remarkable and given the difficulties of travelling in these times, let alone the animosity and danger he faced trying to convert populations to the new faith, it is a credit to the endurance and tenacity of the man that he accomplished as much as he did.

3 – His service (vs. 2)

When God called Paul he was serving. He was not sitting. Do you not know what God wants you to do? Get busy and God will show you what you have to do. We are to serve the Lord. It is the Lord first, not the people. People will let you down. Keep your eyes on the Lord. Our ministry is to the Lord. We are not commanded to be fasting. It is assumed in the Bible that Christians will fast. Jesus fasted. Fasting is done to God.

4 – His separation (vs. 2-4)

God asks for Paul and Barnabas to be separated for His ministry. It was the Holy Spirit who called for Paul and Barnabas to be separated. We are not led by some personality test. It is the Holy Spirit who leads us. We ought to get our marching orders from the Lord.

5 – His courage (vs. 5)

They preached the Word of God in the synagogue. Paul preached from the Word of God. The time is coming when people will not endure sound doctrine. Today there is often too much psychology in some sermons. The power of God is in the Word of God. It is the Word of the living God. It is the Word of God that reaches the lost. The Word of God edifies the saints of God. It ensures you that you are saved. The Bible tells us what the future holds. The Bible negates the power of the flesh.

6 – His confrontation (vs. 6-13)

Paul calls across a Jew who is a “magician” or “sorcerer”. Bar-Jesus tries to prevent the governor from hearing the Word of God. Paul calls him “a child of the Devil”. This man was a snare to the Gospel. He was sold out to wickedness. He wanted to keep the governor from faith in Jesus.

The Devil will do everything he can to keep lost people from being saved. Bar-Jesus had his sight removed from him and later had it restored. But did he ever get his spiritual sight? It is the preaching of the Word that causes the governor to be saved.

Categories: Acts