Note for 20250723

Acts

Nine

Part 9 - Acts 9 - If it was me

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The House of Bread · Note for 20250723 - Acts - Part 9 - Acts 9 - If it was me

Acts 9:1-43 KJV

[1] And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, [2] and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. [3] And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: [4] and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? [5] And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. [6] And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. [7] And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. [8] And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. [9] And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. [10] And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. [11] And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, [12] and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. [13] Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: [14] and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. [15] But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: [16] for I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. [17] And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. [18] And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. [19] And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. [20] And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. [21] But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? [22] But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. [23] And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: [24] but their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. [25] Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. [26] And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. [27] But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. [28] And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. [29] And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. [30] Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Cæsarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. [31] Then had the churches rest throughout all Judæa and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. [32] And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. [33] And there he found a certain man named Æneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. [34] And Peter said unto him, Æneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. [35] And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord. [36] Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. [37] And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. [38] And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. [39] Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. [40] But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. [41] And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. [42] And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. [43] And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

https://bible.com/bible/1/act.9.1-43.KJV

Have you ever thought while reading, "if it was me?" Now, this is just the practice of placing yourself in a situation to test your own faith, without going through it in truth. In the New Testament, we first see this in those that Jesus spoke to, who said that, if they lived in the time of their father's, they would not have killed the prophets. And, of course, Christ did not have kind words to say of them, that they themselves declare them as the children of murderers. (I use my own words in this.)

The reason I ask you this, is because there are a few instances in our reading today, which we need to consider as if it is us in that position. Imagine being Ananias, being sent to the enemy of the church, to heal him and introduce him to the church. If not filled by the Holy Spirit, if not of GOD, if he was mistaken, he could have been like a "Judas" for the church in Damascus. Saul was known by the church. Let us look at a section of the interaction between Ananias and Jesus again:

Acts 9:15-16 KJV

[15] But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: [16] for I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

https://bible.com/bible/1/act.9.15-16.KJV

A Chosen vessel. But do not miss how Christ says that Saul will suffer great things for the Name of Jesus. What if you were Saul, in a "If it was me" consideration? Do you remember how Christ said many are called but few are chosen? The disciples, or let me rather say at this time apostles, we're chosen. And now, so was Paul chosen by Jesus Christ who appeared unto Paul and Ananias for this matter.

Imagine, "if this was me" in the matter of proclaiming this to the Apostles and Disciples of Christ, that Jesus appeared unto you, or GOD chose you to perform a certain task. You see, just as Christ said, many are called, even unto salvation, but few are chosen to walk in a specific way.

If it was you, you would know. And just as this was revealed to Ananias by Jesus about Saul, so those will know of you to whom GOD revealed it to. Nonetheless, all would have to walk in their own faith in Christ. To most though, that matter is not revealed.

Now, what about those from the synagogue in Damascus, who expected Saul to round up those in the way of Jesus Christ? If it was you, would you want to kill Saul, for his betrayal to the synagogue? Well, often, this is what plays out in our lives. You were once counted to a group of friends, who may feel you betrayed them, because you changed when you received Christ. You might still have that opposition in the family, maybe even a spouse, parents or children. Many of you listening here have been cut off from those that will not accept your choice, and you are as if you are dead to them and they to you. But, some are still in your everyday life, and you might be oppressed by them. Know this, it is not the same Spirit. Are you still surprised to see murder in the hearts of those of the synagogue being in a murderous way?

Now, at this moment, at least for most of us still, the government we have where we live might not in itself be against the believers in such a way, because they still have an inclusive viewpoint in some form of democracy, but in the time of the early church, the same was not true. You could say, Saul had a government sanction to arrest all the followers of Jesus Christ, and the order came from the synagogues that now sought to kill him, to the point that he had to escape Damascus.

What if we change "if it was me" to "it will be me?"

You see, Christ gave predictions of what will come. These disciples of Christ did not only know about what Christ said, they were living it. And now, Saul knew it too and the same hoard was after him. In fact, he probably knew who and what would be coming after him once he made that choice, chosen by Christ Himself to fulfill this role, for the sake of the gentiles, just as Ananias was chosen to walk to a blinded Saul.

In a way, you are no longer standing in a "if it was me" scenario. It has become "it is me," for you in a similar way as it happened to Paul. Christ was revealed to you, so you believed. Christ was revealed in you, when you were filled by the Holy Spirit. But, what you have been chosen to do, will be known to you by revelation, and to others who Christ chose to reveal it to. But, there is also a general calling to disciples that was revealed to us by Jesus Christ in the words of Christ in the Gospels that we can read in the Bible. Like this, much of GOD'S will has been revealed to all who can hear and see. The Word is to be received by the Spirit, isn't it?

For the believer, this is no longer a hypothesis. It is no longer a "if it was me" scenario, but we are in the thick of things, and the battle is in the Spirit with certain physical manifestations of it.

It is you, and if you are still standing blind to this, you are in grave danger. So, I was chosen to remind you to try the spirits if they be of GOD. The truth is that we work and live amongst devils. As those work their way in an Ephesians 6:12 way through people.

It is you, that have been brought to this time by GOD. You are the chosen, for this generation, friends. Don't you see it. We are living in a time that has received the most prophetic attention in the Holy Bible than any other time in history. We are in the sunset of the coming night, where no man can work. If not you, your children, if you are near to the end of the race run here.

It is you, so while there still remains a little light, we are to prepare all, before the bridegroom comes. It is you that will have to stand in Faith, when the authorities become hostile to the way of Christ again. It is you, that will see the great falling away, and it has started already, don't you know.

We are the Paul's and Peter's of this time, the Anias's being sent to those Jesus has chosen. Don't you know it yet?

It is you, and I am asking whether you are on post? We need to know, who will protect the weak, or are you the weak, so your name can go on a list for care?

Have I got your attention yet? Are you ready yet? Have you got oil for your lamp yet? Read your Bible, while you still can, so the Word may be in you, when you no longer can.

Selah, Shalom

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Verse of The Day

From the YouVersion Bible App

1 Samuel 2:2 KJV

[2] There is none holy as the LORD: For there is none beside thee: Neither is there any rock like our God.

https://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.2.2.KJV

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