A Man of Passion

When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to associate with the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, since they did not believe he was a disciple. Barnabas, however, took him and brought him to the apostles and explained to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and that he had talked to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. Saul was coming and going with them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He conversed and debated with the Hellesistic Jews, but they attempted to kill him. When the brothers found out, they took him down to Cesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. So the church throughout all Judea, Galilee and Samaria had peace, being built up and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, and it increased in numbers. Acts 9:26-31

I can understanding the disciples in Jerusalem not wanting to associate with Saul, they had seen, first hand, what Saul had been like and here he was proclaiming he was a believer, this could be a ruse. The early chuch did not have the benefit of mobile phones or the Internet and word had not reached them from Damacus.

Enter Barnabus, son of encouragement, a man of faith. Barnabas meet Saul and is convinced he is a changed man, he becomes the conduit and facilitates the connection. Saul proves to be legitimate and starts his mission with the people he formerly belonged to, the Hellenistic Jews.

The Hellenistc Jews can't take the change and decide his fate should be the same as Stephens, they try to kill him and so the apostles send him on his way to his home town, Tarsus.

Saul shows that he will be a passion to be countered, he was not going to be silenced, wherever he went. He was on fire with the gospel and because of his understanding of scripture, he was a force to be reckoned with.

Pour out your passion Lord! Amen!

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