Please open your copies of God’s word to Acts 9:26. Our annual preaching theme last year was, “We, Not Me.” But there were more things that I wanted for us to talk about but we ran out of time last year. So I do hope to be able to come back to this series from time to time and continue thinking about the importance of considering one another and not just ourselves as we walk with God. As we begin this lesson I want us to be looking at Acts 9. Acts 9 records the amazing conversion of Saul who is also known as Paul. Paul was actively trying to extinguish the faith and teaching of Jesus as the Christ by persecuting Christians. Paul was not only causing havoc in Jerusalem, but also would go to surrounding cities like Damascus, arresting Christians and bringing them to Jerusalem for trial (cf. Acts 9:1-2). Acts 9:1 records frightening words if you were a Christian then. Paul was breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. His threats were not empty because we oversaw the stoning of Stephen (cf. Acts 8:1). But while on the way to continue his efforts to destroy more Christians, Jesus appears to him. Paul believes and is baptized and now is proclaiming Jesus as the Son of God in the synagogues (cf. Acts 9:17-22). Before we move forward, I want to assert firmly in your minds that this event is one of the strongest proofs of the resurrection of Jesus. What could possibly cause an ardent enemy and active persecutor against Jesus and his followers to turn and become an ardent believer and active proclaimer of Jesus as the Son of God? Paul’s own words will tell you when you read his account in the book of Acts: he had an encounter with the risen Lord (cf. Acts 22:6-9; 26:13-18). Paul’s life was forever changed by this encounter as he preached the gospel of Jesus and was a powerful apostle in service to the Lord. Paul wrote 13 letters which have been preserved as the inspired word of God which you hold in your hands today. Now I want you to turn your attention to Acts 9:26…
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