W5D2 Being Changed By God

READ THE BIBLE

Acts 9:8

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. 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 baptised, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

REFLECT ON WHAT IT MEANS

When a young pastor was in college, he went to be a summer missionary in the Far East. While there he attended a small church. At one of the church's worship services, a teenage girl came forward to announce her decision to follow Christ and be baptised. During the service, the young trainee pastor noticed some worn-out luggage leaning against the wall of the church building. He asked the local pastor about it. The pastor pointed to the girl who had just been baptised and told him, "Her father said that if she was baptised as a Christian she could never go home again. So she brought her luggage."

Saul’s life had changed. He had met with Jesus in a miraculous and dramatic way. You will note Ananias didn’t, at first, want to go and pray for him. He had heard of Saul’s campaign to arrest Christians. When he did go, he found a very different Saul; changed and different in attitude to God and others. Saul was still encountering God through the visit and ministry of Ananias. Three things happened to Saul; he was filled with the Holy Spirit, he was baptised in water and he was healed of his temporary blindness.

This was a great time of encounter for Saul. You will hear more in Life Class and the Encounter weekend about Baptism in water and being filled with or, ‘baptised in,’ the Holy Spirit. It is the doorway into a whole new supernatural life with God. What you will notice is that it was a normal and expected part of becoming a true follower of Jesus in those days. Even though Saul had previously been against Christians, he certainly knew what they did to become Jesus’ followers. They got baptised in water and they were prayed for to be baptised in the Holy Spirit. You may not have heard much about these things yet, but they are still normal parts of becoming a true follower of Jesus today.

You will notice in the story (as in a previous week) how much they understood in that part of the world, that baptism means starting a new life as a “new you.” This teenage girl was now, no longer welcome at home as a new follower of Jesus.

That kind of opposition tests how serious a person is about giving their life to Jesus. Even today, in our society, when we change through Jesus, you will be amazed at people’s reactions both positive and even sometimes, negative! We always encourage people to invite their friends, family and work colleagues to to see them get baptised. It really shows everyone we know, that we are serious about our commitment.

RELATE IT TO YOUR LIFE

Here are three questions to ask yourself: Have I been filled with (or “baptised in”) the Holy Spirit? Have I been baptised in water to show that I’ve changed my old life for a new one in Jesus? Do I need prayer for healing? Come to the Encounter ready to respond to God in these things.

RESPOND WITH A DECLARATION

“Jesus is changing me and I have a new life to start all over again with.”