Saul: dramatic scene as the risen Lord Jesus met him on a Damascus road.
  Saul: dynamic in proclaiming Jesus was the Son of God.
  Saul: determined to escape the threat of death from his former colleagues.
  Saul: Damascus back to Jerusalem, a changed man. 

  How was Saul greeted and accepted by followers of Christ in Jerusalem?
(NASB) Acts 9:26 “When he (Saul) came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.” 

  How do you respond to people who question your motives, knowing of your past?
Your changed words, your changed actions are suspect, they are not enough.  Doubts of your intentions will stop any relationship from forming.  That is what happened to Saul in Jerusalem.   

  How do you respond to a person whose past activities and words are proven to be detrimental?
  The apostles and other followers of Christ in Jerusalem did not believe Saul.  Why?
Saul was one of the people in the crowd who stood by in agreement as Stephen was stoned to death…in Jerusalem. (Acts 7:54-60, 8:1)
In the recent past, Saul had actively arrested and imprisoned believers in Christ…in Jerusalem. (Acts 8:1-3)

  Saul’s past did affect his future as a follower of Christ.  Why should those men and women in Jerusalem believe that he was changed?  His past actions caused the believers to fear this man Saul.  Who were some of those men?  The apostles Jesus called to follow Him: Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John, Philip, Bartholomew (Nathanael), Thomas, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddeus, Simon the Zealot (Matthew 10:2-3) and Matthias (Acts 1:26). 

  What can you and I know?  When we received Jesus as our Savior (actually praying and knowing that you have asked Jesus to take away your sins, to know that He is the Son of God, risen from the dead), we are a changed person.  The Lord Jesus gives us His peace in our emotions and our minds.  The internal change is real and it proves to us that we are a changed, “born again” child of the living God. 

  Saul had no doubts about the Lord Jesus being the Son of God, Messiah, the Anointed One of God.  Saul had no doubts about his experience on the road to Damascus…none.
   But…but the apostles and other believers in Jerusalem did have doubts…there was one man who believed Saul and that man was Barnabas…
  To Be Continued tomorrow. 

  Your past does affect your future…however; with God nothing is impossible, even for you.  The Lord Jesus Christ wants you to receive Him as your Savior.  He is waiting for you to turn to Him to be changed…forever and ever.