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First notice some things here, Saul was having sent to prison
men and women. He was getting authority in writing from the
High Religious Priests of that day. At one point he was even
partaker in the Death of Stephen. Accessory to murder if you
will. Stephen was a Saint of God and apparently well loved by
the Lord. As Stephen was dying he looked up and beheld the Lord.
Paul stated later as he beheld Stephen’s face, it was
as that of an Angel. Such courage and Love for the Lord... we
can all learn something from this. Please look at Saul’s
attitude; it was that of a raving lunatic. A man with a death
wish. Who was it he was having bound? Who was it he was persecuting
at that time? It was the Church of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
The New Testament Church. The Church the Lord had the Apostles
trained for to carry on after his death. This Church was to
Jews. And men that feared God and Blessed Israel. Not to Gentiles
as such, only a few and they had to meet the requirements to
be accepted by the Jews.
At that time, if you and I would have been alive we would not
have had any hope of Salvation unless it was through that medium.
That is not the case today. Today, we are saved by Grace. Amen.
Romans 11:11 I say then, Have they stumbled
that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their
fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them
to jealousy. The plan of salvation was beginning to change right
about here.
Have you noticed how Saul was saved? While he was YET breathing
out threatenings and slaughter.... Acts 9:3
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 are thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom
thou persecutest: It is hard for the to kick against the pricks.
Notice here as Saul is saved the manner... He IS NOT SEEKING
GOD at an old fashioned altar is he? Has he repented of his
sins? Did he get baptized? Got good enough then ask God to forgive
him? Has he joined a Church? No, none of those things. GOD saved
him. Unmerited favor. Saul didn’t deserve anything but
to die himself yet God almighty had mercy and Compassion on
him and saved him and called him out for a specific purpose...US....
That is what Grace is, it is Grace...not human works.....
Look how bad this man was. Acts 9:6 And he
trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me
to do? (notice the sudden change of heart) And the Lord said
unto him, Arise and go into the city, and it shall be told thee
what thou must do. Verse 10 And there was a
certain disciple at Damascus names Ananias; and to him said
the Lord in a vision, Ananais. 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 inquire
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 Ananais
answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil
he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14
And 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 Gentiles, and Kings, and the children of Israel.
There is where your salvation as Gentiles is beginning to be
made know unto us. Notice something else. He was chosen of God.
He was a zealot persecuting the Church. Now he will become a
zealot for the Lord. Also Notice the order in which the Lord
said Saul would go... Before Gentiles... and Kings... and the
children of Israel... The Children of Israel are Last in this
verse... Also notice something else. The Lord told Ananias to
go into the street which is called Straight. Coincidence? I
think not. It was a new plan. The salvation would now begin
to be preached unto the Gentiles. I cannot understand why people
refuse to believe this truth. It is not the same as Peter’s
Gospel. Do you realize Peter never knew that Jesus was going
to die for his or anyone else’s sins?
The Apostle Saul’s name was Changed to Paul. He went
about Europe establishing churches and there are many more details
but for now I would like for you to focus on the crux of this
message. Paul was saved by Grace. He taught the Grace message.
That Jesus had died for our sins. The Apostle Peter knew Jesus
had died and was Resurrected and ascended up into heaven, but
he didn’t know the Lord had died for his sins. The Apostle
Paul was the FIRST one he showed this to. If you don’t
believe it then please read the Bible in Mathew Luke and Mark
and see if they did... The only thing I am doing now or will
ever do is try to bring you from Religious bondage. KNOW what
you believe and why you believe it. Stand ready to tell anyone
else if they ask you, be an Ambassador for Christ.
Paul wrote a message to the Ephesians and if we were alive
back then this would have been the group we would have been
in. Without hope and without God in the world. Now why would
we have been without hope if the Church of Matthew, Mark, Luke
and John was there? Because you and I as Gentiles were NOT WELCOME
in it. Read with me... Ephesians 4:11 Wherefore
remember, that ye being in time passed Gentiles in the flesh,
who are called the uncircumcision by that which is called the
Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from
the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants
of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13
But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made
nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our
peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down that middle
wall of partition between us:
I hope you can see the light in these scriptures today. When
I first saw these truths they stirred me. I was SAVED! Not by
anything I could do on my own or being in a denomination or
baptized or speaking in tongues and performing miracles... But
by the Grace and Love of almighty God who sent Jesus Christ
to die in my place. The blood of Christ has covered my sins
and they are all paid for. They can never be brought up again...
Never... God CANNOT see me in my sin... The perfect Blood of
Christ has made me free... Join me today...won’t you?
Believe that The Lord will save you right now, where you are.
You don’t have to go anywhere, do anything, say anything.
All you have to do is believe something...and trust it....Jesus
Died For Your Sins. No matter how bad you are...No matter how
bad you are... No matter how Good you are... I pray God show
you what I am trying to teach you, I have done as much as I
possibly can today to convey that to you.
Continue meeting us here, I know the Lord is with us. Because
his word is being taught rightly divided here.
Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem
Michael
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