apostle Peter Archives - God Cherishes You

Book of 2 Peter: His Final Lesson in the Spirit.

After Peter denied knowing Jesus three times in the courtyard of Caiaphas, (exactly as Jesus prophesied that he would), he turned 180 degrees and followed Jesus for the rest of his life.

In 64 A.D., a great fire broke out and destroyed most of Rome. Some believed Emperor Nero set it himself to give way for a new capital to be built. However, Nero placed the blame on Christians. Many suffered imprisonment, others were killed.

The apostle Peter got caught up in this melee and thrown in a Roman prison where he would be executed at approximately the same time as the Apostle Paul. It was there that he wrote his second and last epistle.

Peter’s primary concern in this message was the infiltration of ‘false teachers’ in a church that he planted, promoting immorality in the church, denying that Jesus would return to judge sin.

The apostle begins by declaring his heavenly qualification:

Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Jesus Christ,

To those who have received and possess [by God’s will] a precious faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: Grace and peace [that special sense of spiritual well-being] be multiplied to you in the [true, intimate] knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. For His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness, through true and personal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has bestowed on us His precious and magnificent promises [of inexpressible value], so that by them you may escape from the immoral freedom that is in the world because of disreputable desire and become sharers of the divine nature. 2 Pt. 1:1-4. AMP

And then Peter exhorts them on to continue in their right behavior:

For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises, make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to, develop moral excellence, and in moral excellence, knowledge (insight, understanding), and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, steadfastness, and in your steadfastness, godliness,and in your godliness, brotherly affection, and in your brotherly affection, [develop Christian] love [that is, learn to unselfishly seek the best for others and to do things for their benefit]. 2 Pt. 1:5-7. AMP

Why is Peter directing them in this direction?

For as these qualities are yours and are increasing [in you as you grow toward spiritual maturity], they will keep you from being useless and unproductive in regard to the true knowledge and greater understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ.For whoever lacks these qualities is blind—shortsighted [closing his spiritual eyes to the truth], having become oblivious to the fact that he was cleansed from his old sins.Therefore, believers, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you [be sure that your behavior reflects and confirms your relationship with God]; for by doing these things [actively developing these virtues], you will never stumble [in your spiritual growth and will live a life that leads others away from sin]; for in this way entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly provided to you. 2 Pt. 1:8-11. AMP

Peter wants them to stay effective in their ministry, have faith in their salvation, and of their conscription from Christ, living in godly ways and to live the kind of life that attracts others to a sinless life to the best of their ability and Christ will handle the rest.

Next, Peter informs them of his imminent demise:

…the laying aside of this earthly tent of mine is imminent, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. Moreover, I will diligently endeavor [to see to it] that even after my departure you will be able, at all times, to call these things to mind. 2 Pt. 1:14-15. AMP

The apostle then reminds then of his personal relationship with Jesus to bolster the validity of his word:

…we were ^[^h^]eyewitnesses of His majesty [His grandeur, His authority, His sovereignty]. For when He was invested with honor and [the radiance of the Shekinah] glory from God the Father, such a voice as this came to Him from the [splendid] Majestic Glory [in the bright cloud that overshadowed Him, saying], “This is My Son, My Beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased and delighted”— and we [actually] heard this voice made from heaven when we were together with Him on the holy mountain.

So, we have the prophetic word made more certain. You do well to pay [close] attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and light breaks through the gloom and the morning star arises in your hearts. 2 Pt. 1:16-19. AMP

But he offers an important caveat:

But understand this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of or comes from one’s own [personal or special] interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. 2 Pt. 1:20-21. AMP

Peter returns to his primary concern regarding false witnesses:

… there will be false teachers among you, who will subtly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways, and because of them the way of truth will be maligned. And in their greed, they will exploit you with false arguments and twisted doctrine. Their sentence [of condemnation which God has decreed] from a time long ago is not idle [but is still in force], and their destruction and deepening misery is not asleep [but is on its way]. 2 Pt. 2:1-3. AMP

Next, he demonstrates how these false teachers were punished in the past to reveal what is in store for them:

For if God did not [even] spare angels that sinned, but threw them into hell and sent them to pits of gloom to be kept [there] for judgment; and if He did not spare the ancient world, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought [the judgment of] a flood upon the world of the ungodly; and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter; and if He rescued righteous Lot, who was tormented by the immoral conduct of unprincipled and ungodly men for that just man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by what he saw and heard of their lawless acts), then [in light of the fact that all this is true, be sure that] the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial, and how to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge in the corrupt passions of the sin nature, and despise authority. 2 Pt. 2:4-10. AMP

Finally, Peter reveals the coming of Christ and how the unbelievers will be conducting themselves:

… remember the words spoken in the past [about the future] by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior given by your apostles [His personally chosen representatives]. 2 Pt. 3:2 AMP

First of all, know [without any doubt] that mockers will come in the last days with their mocking, following after their own human desires and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming [what has become of it]? For ever since the fathers fell asleep [in death], all things have continued [exactly] as they did from the beginning of creation.”

For they willingly forget [the fact] that the heavens existed long ago by the word of God, and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed by being flooded with water. But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly people. 2 Pt. 3:3-7. AMP

Nevertheless, do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like one day. The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 2 Pt. 3:8-9. AMP

God is outside of time and space. Being outside of time, how it elapses in proportion is determined by Him. The example is given that a day is like 1000 years to Him. Furthermore, He set that timeframe in reference as an act of mercy, so that could give that enlarged period as a gift to give as many as possible for the greatest reaping of the saved.

Nevertheless, when Jesus comes, an immediate reckoning comes due. And the unfortunate reprobates who clung to their sins will inherit the earth no more.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will vanish with a [mighty and thunderous] roar, and the [material] elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and the works that are on it will be burned up…For on this day the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the [material] elements will melt with intense heat! 2 Pt. 3:10 & 12. AMP

This is far different from what those who love Jesus and His salvation lovingly expect:

But in accordance with His promise, we expectantly await new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. 2 Pt. 3:13 AMP

In Peter’s final words, he urges those who have that expectancy, to properly prepare themselves:

…be diligent and make every effort to be found by Him [at His return] spotless and blameless, in peace [that is, inwardly calm with a sense of spiritual well-being and confidence, having lived a life of obedience to Him]. 2 Pt. 3:14 AMP

…be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men [who distort doctrine] and fall from your own steadfastness [of mind, knowledge, truth, and faith], but grow [spiritually mature] in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory (honor, majesty, splendor), both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. 2 Pt. 3:17-18. AMP

Goodnight and God Bless.

1 Peter: Making a Case for Faith

Let’s sandwich the apostle Peter within the timeline of his ministry. In 44 A.D., the Jewish king Herod Agrippa, ordered the execution of the apostle James, (brother of the apostle John). In 62 A. D., Ananus, the high priest of the Sadducees, gave the order for the killing of the other apostle James (brother of Jesus).

According to church tradition, the apostle Peter was put to death by the Roman emperor Nero in 67 or 68, whose persecutions began in 64. And so, the approximate date of Peter’s first epistle is thought to have been written at Rome, in 65 A.D.

Peter addressed his letter, (now known as 1 Peter), to both Jews and Gentiles dispersed throughout the region of modern-day Turkey, who, were experiencing intense persecution by the Roman forces. The purpose of his letter was to encourage his audience to stand fast in the face of their trials, in faith, and to emulate Christ and marinate in His grace.

The apostle begins with a blessing:

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by His great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance – an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.

And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. 1 Pt. 1:3 -5 NLT

Jehovah is the Father of the divine nature of Jesus and the God of the human essence that Christ took upon Himself. And it was that humanness that proved to be the vehicle for His death – for purchasing our salvation.

The resurrection of Christ resulted in His transformation, from His incarnate self, into the God-Man, according to our best finite understanding and description of a Divine realization. Jesus is now the exact Spiritual essence of Jehovah, clothed with a transcendent, transformed, glorified body – a supernatural example, similar to what will clothe our spirits, just prior to our entrance to eternal life.

Until then, when at first, we bring our faith, we are instantly divinely altered – covered with Christ’s righteousness, which renders an incorruptibility of our souls, allowing us to remain in God’s presence. This renovation is called being ‘born again.’ It is a spiritual change that guarantees our arrival to our eternal destination and helps us overcome whatever appears against us on earth.

So be truly glad. There is a wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold.

So, when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 1 Pt. 1:6, 7. NLT

You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. 1 Pt. 1:8, 9. NLT

Peter is exhorting Christ’s followers, showing them that regardless of what life throws at them, they should respond with joy – knowing that God is building their faith in Christ. When they do that, it brings a positive increase to their heavenly account – glorifying them for their endurance.

Jehovah never said life would be easy. However, through Jesus, He fills you with His boundless love and joy, and builds a hedge surrounding you, of His mercy and protection – empowering you to transcend your trials as, you complete your earthly journey.

It is your faith in those very promises of God, that form the bedrock of your joy. Faith reminds you that you shall come face to face with your Savior and walk hand in hand with Him into eternity.

So, how do we keep our faith focused upon Jehovah’s promises?

So, prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.

So, you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 1 Pt. 1:13 – 15. NLT

And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So, you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as “temporary residents.” 1 Pt. 1:17 NLT

For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid in mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days he has been revealed for your sake.

Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory. 1 Pt. 1:18 – 22. NLT

Thus, our focus is trained upon the magnanimity of Jehovah’s gift of salvation, through Christ, that no one can take away. We honor God with our obedience – displaying our gratitude for His ultimate blessing, and for the willingness of Jesus to step up and be that.

With all that grateful love flowing out of us, we should then see dramatic changes in who we are being:

You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart. For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. 1 Pt. 1:22, 23. NLT

Ultimately and always, when it comes to the Father and the Son, it’s all about the love. And They expect to see that reflected in us:

So, get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. 1 Pt. 2:1, 2. NLT

You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor.

And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. 1 Pt. 2:4, 5. NLT

As we continue to marinate in the word of God, holding tightly to His Son, we become more like Jesus – as ambassadors of love:

…for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

“Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy. 1 Pt. 2:9, 10. (See also Hos. 1:6, 9; & 2:23.)

Peter is primarily addressing the Jews, being returned to the fold of their Creator, via the New Covenant church. (Note: some biblical translators take this to mean that there is a new ‘church,’ representative of a new spiritual Israel, transcending both geography and genealogy. However, the apostle’s primary audience was the Jews).

Nevertheless, we, Jews, and Gentiles alike, are to set ourselves up as behavioral examples of faith, to attract others to our church:

…I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world. 1 Pt. 2:11, 12. NLT

The children of God are just passing through this earthly experience – exiled because we stand in opposition to the ways of the world, which in turn, brings the Holy Spirit’s conviction upon its head.

Jehovah is telling us to render behavior so obviously godly, that it will falsify our distractor’s criticisms.

Furthermore, even though the world will vilify believers, God calls His children to rise above the world’s hostility, and coexist peacefully with it:

For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority – whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.

It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom to do evil. Respect everyone and love the family of believers. Fear God and respect the king. 1 Pt. 2:13 – 17. NLT

Always remember the exception, however. If governing bodies / persons declare that we should act in a manner that goes against the word of God, we shall not submit to that declaration (see Ac. 5:29).

Okay, God has made everything crystal clear that He would have us do / behave / think so far. But why should that motivate us to love in the face of suffering?

For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you will patiently endure unjust treatment. Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing something wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 1 Pt. 2:19 – 21. NLT

He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.

He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. 1 Pt. 2:22 – 24. NLT (See also Is. 52:13 – 53:12; & Rm. 6:1 – 14.)

The ‘why’ we can love in the face of suffering, stems from our loving gratitude. That acknowledges what Christ submitted Himself to, so that we may be healed from our self-inflicted ‘sin wounds’.

He made the ultimate sacrifice – laying down His life to ensure our righteousness before Jehovah. We are called to make our best effort to emulate Christ. So, that we too, can face unrighteousness with resolve. Yet doing so, with a loving example that will encourage others to make that same commitment.

We can empathize with other sinners. Because of similar behaviors that we engaged in, when we were part of the world and its ways:

Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls. 1 Pt. 2:25 NLT

We received the blessings of unconditional love; our job is to pass them on… Goodnight and God bless.

The Early Spread of the Gospel by Peter and Paul

Last time, we delved into the second half of the book of James. (See Christianity Out in the World).

Now, we are going to continue with a chronological presentation of the apostles Peter and Paul’s continuing thrusts to spread the Gospel.

We’ll first return to Peter, just after he baptized the Roman Centurion and his household. (See https://godcherishesyou.com/christs-greatest-enemy-was-directly-converted-by-jesus-himself/).

Peter returned to Jerusalem, whereupon he was subjected to a hostile reception from some Jewish brothers in Christ, because he had ministered to Gentiles. However, once Peter told them how the Holy Spirit had filled the Gentiles, the critics changed their tune:

When the others heard this, they stopped objecting and began praising God. They said, “We can see that God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life.” Ac.11:18 NLT

During this same timeframe, (after the stoning of the disciple Stephen), many of Christ’s followers fled to other regions to preach, due to increased persecution from the non-believing Jews. One of these places was the city of Antioch, located in what was a Syrian territory, now, part of modern-day Turkey.

There, a church was planted in Antioch, which became the ‘fountainhead’ of Gentile followers of Christ.

The church in Jerusalem was very impressed with the reports that they received about the Antioch church. So, the sent a disciple, named Barnabas, to bestow their seal of approval on it, as well as to strengthen the congregants in their doctrine.

Barnabas was so inspired by this church that he traveled to Tarsus to enlist the assistance of the apostle Saul for his mission. Together, they returned to Antioch to teach in the church:

Both of them stayed there with the church a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was there at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.) Ac. 11:26 NLT

In this same time, Herod Agrippa 1, grandson of Herod the Great, of Jesus’ time, was governor of Judea. He was also close to one of Rome’s most infamous Caesars, Caligula – who must have made quite an impression on Herod, because he was equally evil.

Herod had ordered the execution of the apostle James (brother of John). The Jews has lauded Herod for his deed. Emboldened, he had the apostle Peter arrested and sentenced to be executed as well.

The night prior to the execution, Peter was in prison, bound with chains, sleeping between 2 soldiers, and guarded by sentries. In the middle of that night, God sent an angel to free him and help him to escape to Caesarea. Herod never found Peter again…

Herod continued his ungodly behavior – even to the point of believing that he was a god. However, as soon as he tried to own that thought, Jehovah sent an angel to strike him down for his blasphemy[1]

At the approximate time of Herod’s death (47 A.D.), a prophet from Jerusalem journeyed to the church in Antioch, warning them of an imminent famine that would strike Judea.

In response, the church sent aid to the church elders in Jerusalem through the hands of Barnabas and Saul, who were also accompanied by a Gentile disciple, named Titus.

After delivering the aid, Barnabas, and Saul, (this time traveling with the apostle Mark), returned to Antioch. When they arrived, the Holy Spirit fell upon the church elders – urging then to send Barnabas and Saul on what would become Saul’s first missionary journey. Mark came along to assist.

Their first stop was the island of Cyprus, home to Barnabas, where they preached in the synagogues and to the Gentiles as well. Because of the presence of the Gentiles, Saul decided to use his Roman name, Paul. (He was a Roman citizen – more on that later). For the rest of his life, he remained apostle Paul.

When they finished preaching in Cyprus, they set sail for the Roman province of Galatia (located in modern-day Turkey). When they made landfall, the apostle Mark left for Jerusalem (the Bible doesn’t tell us why).

“And now we are here to bring you this Good News. The promise was made to our ancestors, and God has now fulfilled it for us, their descendants, by raising Jesus.” Ac. 13:32, 33. NLT

Paul and Barnabas stayed to preach in several Galatian cities, establishing new churches as they did so. Let’s listen in as Paul preaches the Gospel in one of these cities, also called Antioch – speaking of Christ’s lineage:

“…the people begged for a king, and God gave them Saul…But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’

“And it is one of King David’s descendants, Jesus, who is God’s promised Savior of Israel!” Ac.13:21 – 23. NLT

“And now we are here to bring you this Good News. The promise was made to our ancestors, and God has now fulfilled it for us, their descendants, by raising Jesus.” Ac. 13:32, 33. NLT

“So let it be clearly known by you, brothers, that through Him forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you; and through Him everyone who believes [who acknowledges Jesus as Lord and Savior and follows Him] is justified and declared free of guilt from all things, from which you could not be justified and free of guilt through the Law of Moses.” Ac. 13:38, 39. AMP

Therein lies a short synopsis of the message of the cross…

The Jews were amazed at Paul’s Gospel preaching, inviting him to return on the following Sabbath, so that they could hear more. When Paul showed up, the entire city was present – mostly populated by Gentiles.

The Jews that were present, were jealous of the presence of the Gentiles. They began to harass Paul and Barnabas, accusing them of bringing the Gentiles a false gospel that could not save them. Yet Paul and Barnabas boldly stood their ground against the Jews, and they spelled out what awaits the Jews because of their disbelief:

“It was necessary that we first preach the word of God to you Jews. But since you have rejected it and judged yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we will offer it to the Gentiles. For the Lord gave us this command, when he said,

‘I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth.’”

When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and thanked the Lord for his message; and all who were chosen for eternal life became believers. Ac. 13:46 – 48. NLT

The Jews had their chance. But they blew it because of their unbelief – just as in Christ’s time.

Later, the Jews ran Paul and Barnabas out of town. They traveled to the city of Iconium, where Jews and Gentiles alike, embraced their salvation. Still, there was a faction of un-believing Jews who tried to turn the Gentiles against the apostles. But God had different plans:

But the apostles stayed there a long time, preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord. And the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders. Acts 14:3 NLT

The unbelievers hardened their hearts against Paul and Barnabas, and they planned to kill them. But the apostles got wind of their plan and moved on to a city called Lystra. There, Paul healed a crippled man for God’s glory. Yet the unbelievers followed the apostles to Lystra, saying that it was their ‘god,’ who did the healing. Then they stoned Paul and left him for dead.

The next day, Paul arose, and he and Barnabas preached in one more city. Then, they retraced their steps back to the Gentile church in Antioch, revisiting all the churches that they had planted – telling them to endure to receive their promise:

…they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. Acts 14:22 NLT

Indeed, we have an open invitation to God; but the devil will never give up his hateful attempts of trying to get you to reject the invite, or try to convince you to renounce it once you’ve accepted it.

Thus, we must be ever-vigilant, always keeping our eyes on the prize…

Goodnight and God bless.

[1] Ac 12:23

Christ’s Greatest Enemy was Directly Converted by Jesus Himself

Prior, we had watched the Holy Spirit empowering all the apostles to work miracle. Also, we witnessed one of Christ’s disciples, Stephen, speak of the Sanhedrin’s crime of killing Jesus by crucifixion and addressed them of blasphemy. They responded by having him stoned to death. (See First to Give Up His Life for Christ).

Let’s return briefly to the day of Stephen’s death.’

At that time, a certain ‘Saul of Tarsus,’ was present at the event. He was leading a campaign of persecution against the church of Christ:

Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen.

A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. Ac. 8:1 NLT

Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest. He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there.

He wanted to bring them – both men and women – back to Jerusalem in chains. Ac. 9:1, 2.

So, just who is this Saul, and why did he have such a hateful attitude towards the followers of Christ?

Well, it just so happens that Saul tells us himself – in later scriptures that the Holy Spirit revealed to him:

“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and I was brought up and educated here in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. As his student, I was carefully trained in our Jewish laws and customs. I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did…” Ac. 22:3 NLT

I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin – a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law.

I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. Phil. 3:5, 6. NLT

Thus, Saul was born of Jewish parents in the capital city of Tarsus, in the region of Cilicia (modern-day Turkey), raised in Jerusalem and educated as a Pharisee.

Remembering how hostile that they were to Jesus, Saul too must have hated Him, along with His followers. He felt He / they conflicted with the Pharisaic orthodoxy. Saul felt that it was his righteous duty to persecute the church of Christ:

…I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it. Gl. 1:13 NLT

Authorized by the leading priests, I caused many believers there to be sent to prison. And I cast my vote against them when they were condemned to death. Many times I had them punished in the synagogues to get them to curse Jesus. I was so violently opposed to them that I even chased them down in foreign cities. Ac. 26:10, 11. NLT

Yet, Saul was totally ignorant of the Gospel:

For I did not receive it from a human source and I was not taught it… Gal. 1:12 CSB

Let’s return to Saul’s campaign against the church.

He and his entourage were on the road to Damascus to hunt more of Jesus’ followers, when suddenly a light from heaven shines all around him and he falls to the ground.

[When Saul would retell this event later, he said the light was brighter than the sun, and his entourage fell as well (Ac. 26:13, 14):

He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”

“Who are you lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!” Ac. 9:4, 5. NLT

Saul knew that he was in the presence of the power of God, but unsure of its exact nature. I’ll bet when Jesus identified Himself, his knees started knocking. (When Saul would later recount this event, he said that his entourage only saw light, and they heard a voice, but it was unintelligible).

Jesus adds:

“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” Ac. 9:6 NLT

Again, when Saul would later recall this event, he would provide greater detail about what Christ said:

“Now get to your feet! For I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and witness. Tell the people that you have seen me, and tell them what I will show you in the future.

And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.” Ac. 26:16 – 18. NLT

What a turnaround of events! I’m sure at that time, that Saul had been a most ‘reluctant apostle’.

The light from heaven rendered him blind, so he had to be led by the hand to Damascus.

He remained blind for 3 days, and he fasted during that period as well.

Simultaneously, Christ appears to one of His disciples in Damascus by the name of Ananias. Jesus told him to go to a street called ‘Straight,’ (which still exists today). There, He said Ananias would find a certain house where Saul was praying in. Jesus added that He gave Saul a vision regarding his coming.

Ananias protested, because he had heard of the evil things that Saul was doing to his brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus sets him straight:

“Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.” Ac. 9:15 NLT

Only Jesus would transform His greatest enemy into His mightiest champion.

Ananias did as he was told and laid hands on Saul, whereupon he immediately regained his sight. The disciple baptized Saul, who was subsequently filled with the Holy Spirit.

Saul immediately went out to preach to the synagogues in Damascus, that Christ was the Son of God – to the amazement of those who knew his past.

This new apostle traveled to Arabia, where it is thought by some biblical scholars, the place where God gave him the deep revelations of the Gospel that he would later come to preach.

Indeed, when Saul returned to Damascus 3 years later, he was filled with irrefutable, Holy Spirit-inspired preaching – witnessing to all, that Jesus is the Messiah.

The non-converted Jews wanted to kill Saul. However, other disciples in Damascus lowered him over the city wall and he escaped.

Saul journeyed to Jerusalem but was initially ostracized because of his history of persecution of the church. However, the disciple Barnabas brought Saul to the apostles and told them about his conversion. (Saul would add additional detail when he later reiterated it – saying that he only met with 2 of the apostles: Cephus (Peter), and James the brother of Jesus, who was now an apostle as well.)

Saul preached while he was in Jerusalem, but the Jewish non-converts wanted to kill him as well. So, the apostles sent Saul off to Tarsus, where he would minister in Cilicia and Syria. Fourteen years would pass since Saul’s conversion…

(I have spent all this time talking about Saul, who would become the apostle ‘Paul,’ who happens to write most of the New Testament. So, I’m thinking he’s important.)

Finally, let’s shift to a short stretch of the apostle Peter’s path, to keep us in chronological harmony.

He begins to preach outside of Jerusalem, along the coast of Judea. Peter came upon a paralyzed man named Aeneas and spoke to him:

“Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up and roll up your sleeping mat!” And he was healed instantly. Acts 9:34 NLT

All the people in that community became converts. Peter travels to another town in the same region, where he was urged to come to the bedside of a woman named Tabitha, who had just died. He told everyone to leave the room and knelt and prayed over her, declaring:

“Get up, Tabitha.” And she opened her eyes! When she saw Peter, she sat up! Acts 9:40 NLT

More converts.

Peter journeyed 30 miles north to the city of Caesarea, the center of the Roman civil government in Judea. It is there that we get to meet a Roman Centurion called Cornelius:

He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God. Acts 10:2 NLT

Cornelius, obviously a Gentile, followed the Old Testament teachings, but was not a convert to Judaism. One afternoon, an angel presents itself to him in a vision, telling him that God has heard his prayers.

The angel gives Cornelius directions to where the apostle Peter is staying and tells him to send men to fetch Peter to him.

As the men were approaching the town where Peter is, we find the apostle on the rooftop praying, where he too receives a vision from God. In it, there is a large sheet descending from heaven, filled with all kinds of animals – both clean and unclean, as dictated by Mosaic Law. He hears the voice of Jesus saying:

“Rise, Peter, kill and eat.” Acts 10:13 NKJV

Peter balks by saying that he had never eaten anything unclean. Jesus counters:

“What God has cleansed and pronounce clean, no longer consider common (unholy).” Acts 10:15 AMP

Peter was trying to make sense of his vision, when the Holy Spirit told him that there were 3 men outside, looking for him, and that he was to accompany them, because they had been driven to find him by the Holy Spirit.

The apostle took some Jewish disciples with him and began the journey to Cornelius, who, filled his house with family and friends in high anticipation of Peter’s arrival.

When Peter arrived, Cornelius fell at the apostle’s feet and began to worship him. Peter immediately forbade him to do so, telling him that he, Peter, was just a man like him.

Instantly, Peter realized the meaning of his vision and revealed it to the household – saying that the Gentiles were considered to be ‘unclean’ to the Jews, but now God has made that prohibition (including against foodstuffs, or anything else that would get in the way of advancing the Gospel) null and void!

Peter elaborates:

“Most certainly I understand now that God is not one to show partiality [to people as though Gentiles were excluded from God’s blessing], but in every nation the person who fears God and does what is right [by seeking Him] is acceptable and welcomed by Him. Ac. 10:34, 35. AM

While Peter is still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those present in Cornelius’ house, and all the Jewish disciples that accompanied Peter were astounded to see Gentiles empowered by the Spirit. Peter responds to them:

“Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Ac. 10:47, 48. NLT

There can be no doubt now. The call of Christ is a world-wide summons…