MONDAY March 20, 2023
The Persecutor
Now Saul was consenting to his [Stephen’s] death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
Acts 8:1-2
Stephen had just been ruthlessly killed––martyred. In Acts 7:58, those guilty of stoning him first laid their garments at the feet of a certain young man––Saul. Acts 8:1 reveals that Saul consented to his death. This chapter begins an introduction into the person and life of Saul––the man who would become known as Paul the Apostle. Acts 9 will give us a full account of his conversion, and many other books of the Bible record his life and his ministry.
Saul, as persecutor was one among many who zealously hounded Christians. God allowed persecution to happen so that the Church would expand. Christians would be scattered and take the Gospel with them to Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the world.
When I look at my own personal life, I know I persecuted my wife and even her Christian family. I hated their love, gentleness and kindness. They were always smiling! I could not stand Christians until the day God got ahold of my own life. In anger, I decided I would shoot my wife and kids, and then end my own life. In my home, Chuck Smith was sharing about God’s love, grace and mercy on our television. His words pierced my heart. All of a sudden, broken, I found myself on my knees asking God to forgive me.
Are you the Persecutor? Do you need God to forgive you for openly, mocking, oppressing or persecuting Christians? He can change and transform your life.
God’s forgiveness extends to the worst offenders and to anyone who wishes to receive it––not because of who we are, but because of who He is.
~Charles Swindoll~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
