The value of others
Read Acts 9:28-31
PAUL
The Message, Eugene Peterson's paraphrase, wraps up this part of the narrative nicely: "Things calmed down after that and the church had smooth sailing for a while. All over the country — Judea, Samaria, Galilee — the church grew. They were permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God. The Holy Spirit was with them, strengthening them. They prospered wonderfully."
Son of encouragement
Read Acts 9:26-30
PAUL
The disciples feared Saul. They couldn't bring themselves to believe he was a disciple. "But Barnabas..." Isn't that a great opening? Out of nowhere comes Barnabas to encourage Saul and be his personal advocate. How did Barnabas know Saul needed his help? We don't know. Yet we do know that God is sovereign and has his Barnabases in every town, every church, on every college and seminary campus, and even on the mission field. Each Barnabas stands ready at a moment's notice to come to the aid of someone in need of encouragement.
A lesser known
Read Acts 9:26-30
PAUL
Slow down
Read Galatians 1:11-17
PAUL
Part of the solution is to pursue the benefits of solitude and silence found in times of obscurity. For the first time in seven years, I took six weeks off one summer.No preaching, no writing, no counselling, no speaking engagements ... no nothing. I focused on slowing down and refilling my soul with the deep things of the Lord. I prayed, I sang, I studied, I walked, I fished, I stayed quiet, and I sat thinking about and re-evaluating my life. It was magnificent!
Desert retreat
Read Acts 9:20-25; Galatians 1:11-17
PAUL
A forgotten hero
Read Acts 9:20-25
PAUL
The transformation is stunning. Saul, no doubt with bloodstains still on his garment from Christians he had tortured, now stood with arms outstretched, announcing, "I'm here to testify to you that Jesus is the Messiah, God's Son." And the people who heard it were amazed. The Greek text uses the term from which we get the word ecstatic. They responded with nothing short of ecstatic astonishment at the swift reversal of Saul's life.
Stepping out
Read Acts 9:10-21
PAUL
A new beginning
Read Acts 9:10-19
PAUL
Regardless of what you have done, no one is beyond hope. That's the great hope of the Christian message. No amount or depth of sin in your past can trump the grace of God. If you question that, remember Saul, the brash Pharisee of Tarsus. When the Lord saved him, He didn't put him on probation. The other disciples did that. No, God gave Saul a new name and, in the process, made him a new creation. That's what makes grace so amazing!
A chosen instrument
Read Acts 9:10-16
PAUL
God wins
Read Acts 9:5-9; Acts 26:12-15
PAUL
God goaded and prodded the stubborn pride of Saul — that Pharisaic ox. Day after day, he kicked against those goads, until finally, he got the message. There would be no more running. No more hiding. The fight was over. As always, God won.
C.S. Lewis likened God's conquering work of Saul's rebel will to a divine chess player: systematically, patiently maneuvering his opponent into a corner until finally, he concedes. "Checkmate."