Pam Padgett ... teacher
When King Agrippa came to Caesarea, Festus told him about Paul, and he
wanted to hear what Paul would say. Paul told King Agrippa and Bernice
that he had once persecuted those who believe in Jesus. But then Jesus
spoke to him on the road to Damascus ...
Acts 26:13 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.
It stood out to me that Paul continued doing as he had been called by God to do, to minister and be a witness of Jesus. As
he traveled to many cities, he spoke what he had seen and heard, teaching about Jesus and faith in Him. Even when
confined and in bonds, he continued in these things.
An example is when Paul was in Jerusalem and Jews from Asia came and stirred up the
people against Paul, Paul was taken by the soldiers, chained. While
being carried to a castle, he asked to speak to the people and was
permitted to do so. He told them about his upbringing, that he had
persecuted those who believe in Jesus, and of Jesus speaking to him on
the road to Damascus. He also told what he had seen and heard after this, until the
people refused to listen ...
Acts 22:12 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.
Another example ... while in Caesarea in the custody of Felix the governor, Felix sent for Paul, and Paul spoke with him and his wife about faith in Jesus ...
Acts 24:24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife
Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning
the faith in Christ. 25 And as he reasoned of righteousness,
temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy
way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for
thee. 26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul,
that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and
communed with him.
We, also, are to continue ... keep going ... in those things God has told us to do, continuing to obey
the word we've been given led by the Holy Spirit. And we share those things we have seen and
heard of God with each other and, as we have opportunity, with those of
the world. We endeavor
to continue doing according to the word we have received, which is the will of God for our lives.