Matthew 16:15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Our study of the conversion of Saul in the Book of Acts has brought us to the point where Saul has his eyes open to the Truth of the Word of God. We must remember that in those days, there was very little of the Word of God in written form like we have it today. Most theologians believe that Moses wrote the Torah (the first Five Books of the Bible) and some of the words of the Prophets had been written down, but most of what we know as the Bible today was passed down verbally.
Therefore, although Saul had sat under the teaching of the great Gamaliel and is said to be the most educated person alive at the time, he had great knowledge of all the Laws and structures of Judaism. Prior to his conversion experience on the Road to Damascus, he absolutely believed in the Messiah to come as Prophesied by Isaiah but he did not believe this man named Jesus was the Son of God; the Messiah.
That fact is the first thing Saul learned and he came to this knowledge when Jesus met him face to face in a Vision that day on the road. After Ananias laid his hands on Saul, he regained his eyesight, he was seeing things completely differently.
He now believed that Jesus was the Son of God of whom Isaiah had Prophesied. This is the first fact that must be made known to unbelievers. Jesus proved who He was by all the Miracles, Signs, and Wonders He performed while He walked this earth as a man.
Although Jesus came to die on the Cross for the sins of all mankind, He had to first prove Who He was. Otherwise, He would have been just another convicted and crucified criminal. God made a Way for every person on earth to be redeemed. God had always required blood to be shed for the atonement of sins. Prior to Jesus, the people had to do this every day. When Jesus shed His Blood on the Cross of Calvary, the final Sacrifice for all of mankind had been made. Every person everywhere for all time had the opportunity to be Redeemed!
This is the set of Facts that Saul knew when his eyes were opened to the Truth. Knowing this and believing this, Saul immediately began to preach this to others. It was the most dramatic conversion of a person in all of history.
Saul had warrants from the Chief Priests for the arrest of those who believed in Jesus but he was now preaching this Message to the same people he came to arrest and perhaps, have killed! The people were amazed! But all who heard him were amazed, and said: Is not this he who destroyed them which called on this Name in Jerusalem, and came here for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the Chief Priests? (Acts 9:21)
The people were aware of their own conversion experiences but what they were witnessing about this man named Saul was almost unbelievable! However, it was true and gives credence to the fact that it doesn’t matter what our past includes, when we believe that Jesus is the Son of God Who gave His Life so that we might be Redeemed, we, like Saul, are totally changed!
After thousands of Miracles, Signs, and Wonders, Jesus had only one question for His Disciples: “But who do you say that I am?” He is still asking the same question today. Who do YOU say He is?
The right answer will……….turn the tide……….in your life.
You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Doreen
www.bettsministries.org
