05/13/20 DAMASCUS ROAD: FOUR QUESTIONS (Acts 9; 22:6-21) — Acts 22 records Paul telling the hostile Jerusalem crowd about his conversion on the way to Damascus. He mentions Four Questions Every Person Must Confront and Answer:

(1) “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (22:7) — First, Jesus knows each of us by name, personally. In America, more and more non-Christians are slandering Christians and Christianity. Know that Jesus takes it personally—when you attack His Church and His People, you attack Him! Check out Hebrews 10:31 (CSB): ^“It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Jesus IS God and He gets ANGRY when you attack Him!

(2) “Who are you, Lord?” (22:8) —The Greek word for “Lord” can just mean “Mister” or “Sir”; but the NT uses it to emphasize that Jesus is BOTH GOD in the flesh AND the PROMISED MESSIAH. Just WHO IS JESUS, to YOU?

(3) “What should I do, Lord?” (22:10) — If you’re a church-goer and you’d like to see your pastor keel over and faint, just ask him what he’d like you to do! Somehow Paul knew that ACTION on his part was called for. If you claim to be saved, have you asked Jesus exactly WHAT HE WANTS YOU TO DO (Eph.2:10)?

(4) “Why delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins by calling on His name.” (22:16) — God sent Ananias to give Saul his ASSIGNMENT. In essence he asked Saul/Paul, “WHY are you still here?! GET UP, GET BAPTIZED and GET BUSY!” MOST OF US NEED TO HEED THAT ADVICE AS WELL!