S. Acts 22:4, 6, 15 and 21
4 I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, 5 as the high priest and all the Council can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associates in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished….6 “About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’
8 “‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked….“ ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. …... 15 You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. ……21 “Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ”
O. Whenever I read this passage, the Holy Spirit always shows me or reminds me of how Paul shared his faith with others and how this can be a model for all believers to share their faith, being a witness for Jesus.
First, Paul begins with his PAST. What was he like before he encounted Christ? He persecuted Christians. (v. 4-5).
Paul then shares (Dr. Luke is doing the writing of ACTS and remember that the Holy Spirit is the author) his PIVOTAL EVENT. What happened? What was his encounter with Jesus like? (v6-8).
However, Paul does not dwell on his past nor does he continue long on his pivotal event. He moves forward into his PRESENT. what is Jesus doing in his life today? (calling him to be a witness to all believers, particularly the Gentiles).
A. That’s a balanced testimony. Sometimes when others (myself included) share their story, we can skew the testimony by dwelling too much on one area. We need to seek that balance and make sure that Jesus is the pivotal person in our life story that we are witnesses of.
Sometimes there is a temptation to embellish our past or overload on what Jesus is doing now. Both of these are needed but in balanced perspective with JESUS clearly being described as the pivotal person in our life.
P. Thank you Father for capturing in scripture how Paul shared his faith in this passage. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to use this passage to continue to practice and to teach others on how to share their faith in Jesus by acknowleding our past, remembering our pivotal moment and then praise to God for our present ministry. In Jesus’ name!
