Acts 22:19-20 (NIV)
19 ‘Lord,’ I replied, ‘these people know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat those who believe in you. 20 And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’
19 ‘Lord,’ I replied, ‘these people know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat those who believe in you. 20 And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’
Paul had been arrested for speaking about the Gospel of
Christ. Standing in front of a crowd of people he gave his testimony of how he
came to know Christ. In the verses above he confesses his guilt over the abuse
and murders of Christians. He admits how he imprisoned and beat those who
believed in Christ. Paul was even present for the stoning of Stephen watching
after the clothes of those who disrobed to throw their stones to kill Stephen.
Some of the apostles who first met Paul were very leery
of him. They had witnessed what he had done to other Christians. They knew of
his reputation. Now he was with them preaching the Good News of Salvation to
both Jew and Gentile. Yet they still feared his past. They feared Paul might
turn on them as he had done in the past. Eventually they learned to embrace
Paul as a fellow Christian and friend.
We need to remember The Lord can change people. God
can change a thief and give them a heart of gold. The Lord can change someone
in the adult business and make them a minister who helps those trapped where
they use to be. The Lord can even soften the heart of a murderer and make them truly
repentant for what they have done. God
has the power to change people and make them different.
The next time you meet an unlovable person try to share
with them the Good News of Jesus Christ. Share about God’s love for them. Share
how God wants to give them a new life.
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