The More Abundant Life
God 492 – Jesus Christ Abounded Much More Below are written all the Scriptures showing how Jesus Christ completed works for us, which were so complete that He abounded towards us in many ways, including being righteous and having Grace bound towards us. We have the hope of the return of Jesus Christ, that we have hope in all the promises that are in God's Word that are for us, and we can have them. Jesus Christ did a complete work for us. Romans 3:19 - 31 “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and...
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God 491 – Paul the Servant of Jesus Christ Below are written all the Scriptures, making it easy for you to follow along with on your devices. In our last podcast episode, number 490, we learned that Paul the Apostle, the servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, longed to see the Saints in Rome. He wanted to impart some spiritual gifts so that they may be established. We're continuing in Romans chapter 1 verse 20 Romans 1:20 “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so...
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God 490 – Romans Chapters One – The Apostle Paul's Goals Below are written all the Scriptures, making it easy for you to follow along with on your devices. Romans 1:1 “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,” Servant is the word "doulos" in Greek. In the lands and Times of the Bible, a servant could choose by his free will to continue to work for his master after 7 years as a servant. He could feel like his master was a good Master who cared for him very well, and all his needs were met. So he would decide to continue with the master....
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God 489 – Acts Chapters 10 & 11 – The Gentiles Receive sprirt Below are all the Scriptures, making it easy to follow on your devices. After the persecution that arose about Stephen, and as the Believers were scattered abroad from Jerusalem, the Word started to live in the surrounding areas. The apostles were teaching God's Word. The following Scriptures record the Gentiles first receiving the Word of God and believing and receiving spirit. I'm going to read these two chapters together and point out a few things as I go through them. Acts 10:1 – 48 “There was a certain man in...
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God 488 – Acts Chapters 9 – Persecutions to Victory Below are all the Scriptures, making it easy to follow on your devices. After the original day of Pentecost, the apostles utilized tremendous power. Signs, Miracles, and wonders were being done, and many people were added to the church daily—first 5,000, then 3,000 as the Lord added to the church daily, and now, here in chapter 5, many more were being added. The power of God was in great force and was seen in the early part of the Christian church. Great respect came upon all who saw it and were a part of it. After the days immediately...
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God 487 – Acts Chapters 5 – Tremendous Power and Believing Below are written all the Scriptures and some of my notes, making it easy for you to follow along with on your devices. After the original day of Pentecost, the apostles utilized tremendous power. Signs, Miracles, and wonders were being done, and many people were added to the church daily—first 5,000, then 3,000 as the Lord added to the church daily, and now, here in chapter 5, many more were being added. The power of God was in great force and was seen in the early part of the Christian church. Great respect came upon all who...
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God 486 – Acts Chapters 3 & 4 Below are written all the Scriptures and some of my notes, making it easy for you to follow along with the lesson right from your devices. Ten days after the Ascension comes the day of Pentecost, the day on the Christian calendar when the Holy Spirit was first made available. After all the accomplished works of Jesus Christ, it is the biggest day in the Christian calendar. As we think about that and get ready to celebrate that wonderful day, I'm doing a small series on what happened after it was first available to be born again. Acts 3:1 – 26 “Now Peter...
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God 485 – 40 Days to the Ascension Below are written all the Scriptures and some of my notes, making it easy for you to follow along with the lesson right from your devices. After Jesus Christ's resurrection, he was on Earth for 40 days until the Ascension, when he was gathered up to be on God's right-hand side. During those 40 days, he instructed his Apostles and disciples on what they were to do next. In this podcast, we'll look at that in detail. Matthew 28:16 “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.” By Jesus's instructions to...
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God 484 – The Ministry of Jesus Christ Below are written all the Scriptures and some of my notes, making it easy for you to follow along with the lesson right from your devices. To teach everything involved in Jesus Christ's ministry would take many hours, but here's a teaching on the part of Jesus Christ's Ministry that we can see from the Bible. John 8:28b & 29 “I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. 29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.” His father, God, taught...
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God 483 – The Beginnings of Jesus Christ Ministry Below are written all the Scriptures and some of my notes, making it easy for you to follow along with the lesson right from your devices. In God's Word, there are many beginnings to the life of Jesus Christ. There are many parts of beginning His life, just like every other human being. Sometimes, we might go to college or some other endeavor. I'm thinking about what the beginning of your college career is. Is it the day you start school and take your first class? Yes, that is, but what about the preparation? When you apply, when you get...
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The Age of Grace Revealed in Acts Part 2
The Conversion of Saul
By
Steve Jaynes
In this podcast show, I am going to be reading a lot of the Scriptures. I have written the Scriptures all out in the show notes so that you could follow along fairly easily. But you have to listen to the show to get the understanding as I explain a lot of it. The Scriptures are written out that you can easily follow along.
Acts 9:1 – 26 “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.”
What we see here is the conversion of Saul and the start of his preaching. Next, I'm going to show you Saul's timeline by cross-referencing between Galatians and the book of Acts.
Galatians 1:11 – 24 “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. 19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. 20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. 21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; 22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: 23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. 24 And they glorified God in me.”
It says that he did not confer with flesh and blood. What he mostly listen to was the information that he got from and about Jesus Christ. It says he got revelation of Jesus Christ.
Acts 9:22 – 30 “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 Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.”
Here it says he went to Caesarea and then to Tarsus and this is where we'll find him when Barnabas goes to find him.
Galatians 2:1 “Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.”
I just want to point out that this is 14 years later and has nothing to do with our study of the conversion of Saul, but It may come up later in a Biblical study.
What follows is Paul speaking at the time of his arrest on the castle steps as he talks to the chief captain. There is added information here about the conversion.
Acts 22:4 – 29 “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.”
Once again in the book of Acts, there's more information as Paul is before King Agrippa. If you read it closely you can see some tremendous things. In listening to the show I point out some things that I see that will help us to understand more about Paul's Mission and calling by Jesus Christ.
Acts 26:1 – 23 “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: 2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: 3 Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. 4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; 5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: 7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. 8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? 9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. 11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. 12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. 14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. 19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. 21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. 22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: 23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.”
Until the next time we get together, may God bless you abundantly.
Agape,
Steve Jaynes
The Announcer: Maurice Coleman
Intro and Outro Music: Pamela LoVerme Janovyak, Her version of "Be Thou My Vision" from her CD Behold
But you don't have to wait till the next show to continue to learn and grow. Go to stevejaynes.com where Steve has plenty to give in resources to help you continue to learn today.
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