Msg #2620 A Noteworthy Conversion
What The Bible Says
Good Samaritan’s Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice
The conversion of the apostle Paul occupies 31 verses of chapter nine of the Acts of the Apostles. Its timing is impeccable. The closing twelve verses of the chapter refocus on Peter, setting the stage for chapter ten’s gospel reach to the “certain man in Caesarea” wherein, in the 7th year of Christ’s church, the gospel pierces into 2,000 years of paganism found in the Gentile world. Five years prior, it pierces into a zealous Pharisee, breaks through his religious zeal, and brings a contrite heart to say, “Lord, what will thou have me to do.” Calvinist suppose Saul’s conversion is a portrait of “Irresistible-Grace” but Biblisists familiar with all the whosoever-wills in the Bible and know better. A light and a voice from heaven is a powerful force, but Saul had a multitude of human witnesses prior, … and he imprisoned them! God said of Saul, “he is a chosen vessel unto me to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: for I will show him how great things he must suffer for my namesake” (Acts.9:15–16). We often miss chronology and timing when we read God’s records; Saul is gloriously saved in Acts 9, but after he is saved there are five years that unfolded before Peter preachers to Cornelius in Acts 10. In those years Saul is absorbed in preaching the gospel that made him a new creature. “Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straight way he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the son of God” (vrs.15-16). This Saul (desired one), who also is called Paul (small one), who God called the apostle to the Gentiles, suffered great things for God’s namesake, and wrote half the books of his New Testament.
An Essay for week #20 May 17, 2026
Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs260517.mp3
12 Systematic Theology Volumes www.GSBaptistChurch.com/theology
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