SAUL/PAUL’S INSTANTANEOUS REPENTANCE. - Chapel Chat

    Did you ever have to change your mind in a radical way about people, issues or things? Longstanding beliefs are hard to change! Sometimes we will not even listen to an opposing view, as we are so sure of our own stand.

    Paul was such a man. He described his zealous, strong beliefs and heritage in Philippians 3:4-7. He was born a Jew and of the tribe of Benjamin. (In today’s thinking, he was born a Christian.) Concerning the law, he was a Pharisee who taught the exact requirements of the law with additions. (He was a pastor.) Concerningzeal, he was a persecutor of this new Way which declared that a Man who is God had come and died as the blood sacrifice for all mankind. (He was willing to have them killed.)   Concerning righteousness, he considered himself blameless before the law because he had given all the necessary sacrifices. You could not point a finger at him.

    In a moment Paul repented!! When Jesus Christ revealed Himself to Saul/Paul on the Damascus road, Paul asked Him, “Who are you Lord?” Jesus answered, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.” Paul’s humble, submissive response was, “What do you want me to do?” He instantly changed sides and became part of the despised Way. He became a Christian and was no longer under the Jewish law. He changed his mind!!!

    There is a time in everyone’s life when they need to repent, believe the gospel about Christ and follow Him.

Lewllyn Tewksbury, November 19, 2016