Saul had escaped death in Damascus then tried to join the disciples (followers of Jesus Christ) in Jerusalem.  They were afraid of him; they did not believe that he really had become a follower of Christ.  (Acts 9:26) 
Why should they believe him? 

Consider Saul’s past actions:
Saul stood by and agreed to the stoning of Stephen… in Jerusalem.
(Acts 7:54-60)
Saul actively arrested and imprisoned followers of Christ… in Jerusalem
(Acts 8:1-3)
Saul gained authority to go to Damascus and wreak havoc among the believers there and to bring them back …  to Jerusalem. (Acts 9:1-2)
Why should they believe Saul was changed?

  Then a man, a man of integrity and fully trusted by the disciples in Jerusalem, stepped forward.  And that man was Barnabas. (Acts 4:36)  He lived up to his name meaning “son of encouragement”.

(NASB) Acts 9:27 “But Barnabas took hold of him (Saul) and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.”

  The Lord God uses His people for His purposes and God used Barnabas to convince the apostles of Saul’s changed life.  Do you back other believers?  Or do you doubt them and not fully support them?

Consider Saul’s changed life:
  Ananias was a disciple of Jesus who lived in Damascus.  God told Ananias to go and heal Saul so he would regain his sight after being blinded on the road to Damascus.  The Lord Jesus met Saul there, on that road, and Saul was blinded by the brilliance of the risen Jesus.  (Acts 9:3-19) Ananias obeyed and Saul was healed and baptized as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.
  Saul then proclaimed Jesus as the Son of God in the synagogues of Damascus. (Acts 9:19-22)

  Saul’s changed life was proof.  The witness of Ananias and the followers of Christ in Damascus could say that they knew Saul was a true follower of Jesus. 

  Barnabas believed Saul… because of his changed life through belief in the risen, living Lord Jesus Christ. 

Proof of a changed life:
  What proof is there that you have believed Jesus to be the Son of God, that He is the resurrected Savior, that He is your Lord and Savior?
  New desires, new direction for your life, new thinking, new hunger and thirst for God’s word… does it show in your life?  If not, ask God for such a changed life.

~ Take it to heart ~

  Followers of Christ, we are to be found faithful to do what God calls us to do… proof of a changed life in Christ.  Followers of Christ, how are you proclaiming God’s words? 

Are you an encourager to others?

Categories: The Acts of the Holy Spirit