Explore The New TestamentSample

SAY WHAT? (What is the passage saying?)

• Today's reading begins with Saul (who we met in previous chapters) continuing to persecute people who belonged to "the Way," (Jesus' followers). Saul was determined to do everything he could to stamp out Jesus' followers, so he received permission from the high priest to imprison anyone who was a Christian.
• While Saul is traveling with colleagues to Damascus to continue his mission, he is literally blinded by a bright light and a loud voice speaks to him. Naturally, Saul asked who he was speaking to. It was Jesus, asking him why he was persecuting him and the church. After the voice disappeared, his traveling companions led him to Damascus, where he didn't eat or drink for three days (!).
• Saul begins to preach that Jesus is the son of God. Now the Jews want to kill him, so he flees to Jerusalem. However, the disciples there feared him, believing his faith might be a sham so he could hurt them. A disciple named Barnabas assured them he was genuine.
• Peter continues to travel the country, healing people and raising people from the dead. This results in many more people coming to Jesus.
• Peter’s dream was a message from God that he didn’t consider any man unclean or impure. In the law God gave to the Jews, there were certain animals that could be eaten (called “clean”) and others that were not allowed to be eaten (“unclean”). Similarly, there were diseases, like leprosy, that made people unclean. Jewish law taught that unclean foods and people were to be avoided. But God told Peter that he should not call any man or people group unclean and should not avoid them; they are all created equal in God’s sight.
• Peter begins to tell people, regardless of their heritage, about Jesus. Many of these decide to give their lives to Jesus, and the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of them. The Holy Spirit is God’s presence that helps give supernatural guidance, strength and direction to people who have decided to follow Jesus.
• The people who listen to Peter and decide to follow Jesus are baptized.

SO WHAT? (What are the underlying principles?)

• Saul was 100% committed to what he believed. Before he believed in Jesus, he did everything he could to imprison followers of Jesus in hopes of squashing the movement. After he had his life changed by Jesus, he went all out to make sure people had the opportunity to give their lives to God, going so far as to risk death. We should do everything we can to make sure people in our lives know about Jesus and what he can do for their lives.
• God does not prefer any one group of people over another. Regardless of where you come from, what you’ve done, or whatever problems or bad habits you have, God loves you and wants a relationship with you.
• If you’ve given your life to Jesus then the Holy Spirit is a free gift to help you make decisions and overcome problems that you couldn’t handle on your own. Also, baptism is a great way to make official your decision to follow Jesus.

NOW WHAT? (How will you personally apply this passage?)

• If you haven't given your life to God or aren't sure about Jesus, why not commit yourself 100% to finding out the truth about Jesus and what he may want for your life?
• If you have given your life to God, are you all in? Are you taking advantage of opportunities for you to invite your friends to church or talk about God? Who is someone close to you whom you could talk to today about God? Your conversations have the potential to change lives!
• Are you surrounding yourself with people who are committed to growing spiritually?