Note for 20250808

Acts

Twenty Two

Part 22 - Acts 22 - When Hearing Stops

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The House of Bread · Note for 20250808 - Acts - Part 22 - Acts 22 - When Hearing Stops

Acts 22:1-30 KJV

[1] Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you. [2] (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,) [3] I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. [4] And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. [5] As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished. [6] And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. [7] And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? [8] And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. [9] And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. [10] And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. [11] And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. [12] And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, [13] came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. [14] And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. [15] For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. [16] And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. [17] And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance; [18] and saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. [19] And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee: [20] and when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him. [21] And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles. [22] And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live. [23] And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air, [24] the chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him. [25] And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned? [26] When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman. [27] Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea. [28] And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born. [29] Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him. [30] On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.

https://bible.com/bible/1/act.22.1-30.KJV

Ah, yesterday I was trying to remember how those that were with Paul on the way to Damascus experienced his encounter. So they saw the light, but did not hear the voice of Christ. It is refreshing to hear the testimony of Paul in this regard. Born as both Jew and Roman, and a student of Gamaliel. Now, it is hard to remember everything, but if memory serves me correct, it is this same Gamaliel that warned the Jews about taking action against the followers of Christ, per chance, if it be of GOD that they would struggle against GOD.

This crowd heard Paul until he mentions that Jesus sent him unto the gentiles. If there is something that the Lord has taught me, it is to "place myself" in someone else's shoes. You know, to walk something through from another's viewpoint, as limited as it may be. You see, friends, these coming against Paul here are not those who you would consider as "godless" at that time. Remember, these were those that were in the temple at the onset of this account. They held on to a promise that started out as it was given to Abraham. Shall we look at that promise again?

Genesis 22:16-18 KJV

[16] and said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: [17] that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; [18] and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

https://bible.com/bible/1/gen.22.16-18.KJV

You see how GOD said that all nations of the earth shall be blessed? That bit, they may have forgotten, and not just a little bit, because they looked down on others, even of their own people and one another. Sadly, this develops a root of hate in the heart, friends. These would happily have killed Paul, as they also killed Christ Jesus. They listened until they could not hear any more, when offense came in, but even Paul gives them credit that they are zealous toward GOD. That being the chief reason, both Paul and also Jesus cried for those in Jerusalem.

But, what does this bring us today to consider? If it is just to learn the testimony of Paul, that is good too. However, there is a matter here that if we can see and understand, we may consider if we suffer from the same error. So let me ask it blunt:

What can you not hear, because it is offensive?

As you can see in this account, there is a place for zeal. But, what is it that you are unable to hear? Do you know that most people struggle to separate the sin from the sinner? Sin is condemned, but by our faith in Jesus Christ, the sinner is not condemned, but exactly him for whom Jesus died on the cross, so loved. I know, I know! There are some that might be ready to tear their clothes for this, especially if it is for a sin that we condemn, like something that we know to be an abomination for GOD. Once more, hear; sin is condemned, friends, more specifically; sin is condemned in the flesh, by Jesus Christ. But, not the sinner, until the last breath, then grace has run out. But who knows when the last breath comes? Even kids die of heart attacks these days.

This is such a complication for believers. The sinner can by the grace of GOD be separated from their sin, by faith in Jesus Christ. But, it is here where it becomes complicated for us as mere mortals. We can love the sinner and condemn his sin, but that is exactly what we struggle with. Furthermore, this becomes complex because how do you love the brother, but refuse his sin? Oh, friends, that is a bigger topic than what we can deal with here in just one session. You see, it is in love that Stephen, that Paul testifies of here, prayed that his murder would not be counted as a charge to them. True love looks beyond the sin unto salvation.

Now, while that can take time to come to grips with, being patient and kind, in long-suffering, is undoubtedly at the start of it. So, let's consider the title of today's note again, "When Hearing Stops." You see, when Hearing Stops, it means a judgment has been made. Tough to hear too, isn't it? When you can no longer hear someone, that person is cast off as unworthy of being heard. That is a judgment, and a dangerous one; especially so, if they are sent to you for correction... Let me make it clear, for you to be corrected.

There are some who cannot speak to someone with a different viewpoint as what they hold. More so, when it is regarding sexuality or about race (like in this case, Jew vs Gentile.) I have given you the promise GOD made to Abraham, there on the mount where he was ready to sacrifice Isaac. Tell me, the word "all," how much does it exclude. That's right, it excludes none. Shall we now look at how GOD said to Moses, that He will save whom He is pleased to save?

Salvation and Judgment is GOD'S business, friends. Did Christ not instruct that we should love our enemies?

Look at the opening address of Paul here, "Men, brethren, and fathers..." This he said to those that were ready to kill him, and would have, had it not been for the soldiers' protection, and I put it to you, that protection came from GOD.

When will you become still, so you may hear one another, friends? That person whom you consider as unworthy, who will speak to him or her about Jesus Christ, about what is right and wrong? Who will share the gospel with them, when you are offended in their form? Does GOD make mistakes? Can GOD turn the worst case scenario around for good. It is not just their faith being tested, but also yours.

Selah, Shalom

www.thehouseofbread.co.za

PS: I wonder, would we get offended by GOD’S rebuke? And, I think, the answer is sad and clearly reflected in prophecy and Revelation.

Verse of The Day

From the YouVersion Bible App

Matthew 16:24 KJV

[24] Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.16.24.KJV

Quick Note:

Many reading this will not give it a second thought. But, what is it to deny yourself? It is such a profound statement of Jesus. "Deny yourself." Not quite what is preached in the churches today, is it? Mmmm, and to take up the cross, is that not about sacrifice? While the false teachers still teach that it is all about you, and how much you can "profit" from your faith in Christ. I wonder about the modern church, if Jesus will find faith when He returns, because they are so far off, and easily offended.

GOD'S Will be done, He will save whom He is pleased to save.

Shalom

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