Skip to main content

to death ☠️

Acts 22:4
"And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women."

We continue Epic Fails—God Prevails. Last week: Peter's denial of Jesus—an epic failure. Post-resurrection, Jesus showed how His suffering, death, and resurrection fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit ignited Peter's faith; he preached, and thousands believed. Peter established the Church and bravely endured torture and crucifixion under Roman authority.

We learn from faith heroes and seek to join God's plan. With Jesus' love in us, we're empowered to stand for Him.

This week: Saul of Tarsus's Damascus road conversion. It starts differently—Saul saw himself as a success. Born ~AD 5 in Tarsus, Cilicia, to a Jewish family; Roman citizen with rare privileges. Circumcised on the eighth day; from the tribe of Benjamin; a "Hebrew of Hebrews." Trained in Jerusalem under Rabbi Gamaliel (Sanhedrin member), mastering the Law—like a modern law degree.

Zealous, he persecuted Christians: arrested believers, approved Stephen's stoning (first martyr). By the Law's standards, he was "faultless."

Today's verse is his post-conversion self-description. We don't know the full story of his pre-conversion evil. We do know he was successful enough to require Jesus's intervention. 
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

to be taller

Matthew 6:27 "27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?" Jesus has questions... Beginning our study this week with "Why Do You Worry?" Questions have always been a cornerstone of education, used to assess students’ knowledge, promote comprehension, and stimulate critical thinking. Well-crafted questions lead to new insights, generate discussion, and promote the comprehensive exploration of the subject. It makes sense that GOD would use questions VERY effectively. In yesterday's verses, Jesus asked "Are you not MUCH BETTER than birds?" His questions do not end there. In today's verse we read another one, "Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?" This is a sentence our culture needs to learn. No anxiety, no thinking, no wanting will alter our bodily height, or any other condition of our life that is fixed by God’s laws. We often wish things were different than they are, but our "wo...
Post a Comment
Read more

we also...

Romans 6:3&4 "3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." In our studies we are striving to understand God’s love and care. God's unconditional love for His followers, appreciating that we are part of GOD’S family! God is with us from cradle to grave. His divine presence is always giving us purpose and guidance. One of the most important milestones in the life of a Christian is baptism. When we are baptized, an indelible mark is made on our soul. This mark signifies a permanent transformation and dedication of the individual to God. The act of Baptism involves water and the invocation of the Holy Trinity. This ritual is seen as a symbolic washing away of original sin and a new birth into the life of Christ. Baptism is a foundational s...
Post a Comment
Read more

I will make you

Matthew 4:19&20 "19 And He saith unto them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed Him." In our "Follow Me" series, we study Jesus calling His disciples in the Gospel of Matthew. By the Sea of Galilee, a thriving fishing hub, Jesus saw Simon and Andrew casting nets as humble fishermen. His disciples were ordinary workers, not wealthy or educated elites. Jesus approached them and said, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Remarkably, they immediately left their jobs to follow Him. This brief exchange conveys a profound truth: Jesus says, "I will make you." Only God can transform us to accomplish His purpose. We should often pray, "Help me, God," seeking Jesus' guidance to follow His plan for our lives.
Post a Comment
Read more