Bulletin Articles: Full Article for Record Number 1049
Acts 9:20-23 Then And Now
by Larry Ray Hafley
After the apostle Paul had obeyed the Lord’s command to "arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord," we find these words concerning his activities.
"And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul increased the more in strength and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. "And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him" (Acts 9:20-23).
In a few brief strokes, the sacred penman previews the whole course of Paul’s future labors for the Lord. Note that he "preached Christ...that he is the Son of God." Such sermonizing should be heard today. With infidels and agnostics in clergy clothes, with atheistic materialism as the new relevancy for science and the new morality for society, it is evident that the Son of God must be proclaimed.
What was the reaction of Paul’s audience? First, they were amazed. Men often are amazed at the "turnabout" (conversion) of those whose lives have been renovated and regenerated by the power of the gospel.
Second, they attempted public debate. The Jews learned that error is hurt by investigation as Paul "confounded" (bewildered, confused) them by "proving" his proposition. (Error suffers worse in public debate than anywhere else. That is why many false teachers today refuse to debate their doctrines.)
Third, they attempted murder. When dishonest men see that their position cannot stand the light of divine truth, they often resort to lying, ridicule, absurd arguments, character assassination, personal recriminations, and, as in our text, to physical violence. On numerous occasions Paul’s preaching threatened his life. Though endangered, he remained undaunted, determined, as he said, to "finish my course with joy."
While we should not preach for the purpose of antagonizing others, preaching that does not bring opposition needs to be investigated. The preaching of the Old Testament prophets, John the Baptist, Jesus, and the apostles resulted in "much contention" (1 Thess. 2:2). Whole communities were upset. Riots broke out. Men who were otherwise good and devout men, became enraged at the preaching they heard (Acts 13:44-46, 50). They were so engaged that they committed criminal acts (Jer. 26; Acts 7:54-60; 17:4-10; 19:21-40).
Why is the reaction not the same today? There are a number of reasons, but let one of those reasons not be because our preaching is soft, non-confrontational, unchallenging. Rather, let us "reprove, rebuke, exhort," and "hate every false way" with all patience and tireless teaching (Psa. 119:104; 2 Tim. 4:2; Jude 3).
In Acts 9:20-23, we see the exponents of error who esteemed the praise of Satan greater riches than the treasures of truth. In their inability to overcome Christ and their refusal to succumb to him, they exalted their folly and judged themselves "unworthy of everlasting life." So, today.
