to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me

Acts 26:18 

The apostle Paul is mentioned very often in the Bible. He wrote about half of the New Testament Bible books and founded many churches. But this man has not always been a follower of Jesus Christ. On the contrary, he describes how he hated Jesus and persecuted Christians to death, delivering them to prison, commissioned by the religious leaders in Jerusalem. He was a zealous enemy of Jesus. But one day, when Paul was on his way to Damascus to persecute the Christians there, he met the risen Christ personally! Jesus asked him, “Why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

This encounter changed Paul’s life. It was now clear to him that Jesus was really the Messiah, the Son of God, who had risen from the dead. Paul changed sides and from that moment on his mission was to tell people about the Gospel and to invite them to turn from the power of Satan to God — just as Paul himself had done. He did not just stop fighting against Jesus but turned into his dedicated apostle. In Paul’s life, it was very clear when he “changed sides”. Is this true in your own life?

DivinE aUTHORITY (aCTS 26:12-23)

Paul was made a Christian by Divine power; by a revelation of Christ both to him and in him; when in the full career of his sin. He was made a minister by Divine authority: the same Jesus who appeared to him in that glorious light, ordered him to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. A world that sits in darkness must be enlightened; those must be brought to know the things that belong to their everlasting peace, who are yet ignorant of them. A world that lies in wickedness must be sanctified and reformed; it is not enough for them to have their eyes opened, they must have their hearts renewed; not enough to be turned from darkness to light, but they must be turned from the power of Satan unto God. All who are turned from sin to God, are not only pardoned, but have a grant of a rich inheritance. The forgiveness of sins makes way for this.

None can be happy who are not holy; and to be saints in heaven we must be first saints on earth. We are made holy and saved by faith in Christ; by which we rely upon Christ as the Lord our Righteousness and give up ourselves to him as the Lord our Ruler; by this we receive the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and eternal life.-Bible Hub

‘The church is the world’s hope. As Christ is the hope of the church, so the church is the hope of the world. The saints become, under Christ, the world’s saviors.’ 

Charles Spurgeon