Storytellers, pt. 1
Rev. Dr. James Wilkes | July 31, 2022
We hope this guide will help you take the good news you hear today into your daily lives.
Kicking off our new series based on the baptisms in the book of Acts, Pastor James Wilkes of Elon First Baptist Church “dives” into the story of Paul’s conversion and baptism in Acts 9, 13, and 22.
Scripture and Notes
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
Acts 9:1-9 (NIV)
Going Deeper: “Yes, Lord”
In this section of Paul’s conversion story, we see God call Ananias to move into dangerous territory and engage a fierce enemy of the early church, Saul of Tarsus. Despite having good reason to be scared, Ananias answers “yes” and follows through in faith, changing the trajectory of not only Paul’s life, but perhaps the entire Christian faith.
In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered.
The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Acts 9:10-19 (NIV)
Spend some time this week reading, praying about, and perhaps journaling in response to this passage.
Where do you hear God asking you to “go” that you would rather avoid?
Can you trust, like Ananias, that God will be with you in whatever you are called to do?
Does baptism fit into any of this for you?
