Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

Two possible reasons that occur to me would be to promote the spread of the gospel message as a result of the dispersion of the church that took place in response to the persecution that arose after the death of Stephen, in which Saul was a major participant (Acts 8:1-3)(not that God approved of Saul's actions, but that He used them for that purpose); and to prepare Saul for greater effectiveness in his future service to God by preventing him (because of his memory of how he had formerly persecuted the church) from exalting himself, but instead causing him to give the glory to God for his ministry (1 Corinthians 15:9).

May 11 2016 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Thomas K M A retired Defence Scientist from Indian Defence R&D Orgn.

God will never allow to prosecute the church. Rather it was the work of the devil. The work of the devil is to destroy the plan of God. Because God has given a free will to everyone including Satan. 

We last saw Saul in Acts 8:3, where it says that he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. Here he continued and expanded this work to the city of Damascus (about 130 miles or 210 kilometers northeast of Jerusalem; a six-day journey altogether).

God wanted Saul to end his prosecution showing a miracle. As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Suddenly a light shone around him from heaven... and heard a voice: Somewhere outside of Damascus, this suddenly happened. This spectacular event must be regarded as unusual. God always catch the sinners through a particular event, a sudden action or belief. Even to day, such miracles happen.

In Acts 22:6 Paul revealed that this happened at mid-day, when the sun shines at its brightest. Yet Paul said that this light was brighter than the sun (Acts 26:13).

God is specific always. In the case of Ananias, the vision from God was specific. God told him about: a specific street (the street called Straight), a specific house (the house of Judas),a specific man (one called Saul of Tarsus), a specific thing the man was doing (he is praying) and a specific vision the man had (in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias)
Paul regarded his conversion experience as a pattern for all believers. Saul’s conversion reminds us that at its core, salvation is something God does in us. What we do is only a response to His work in us.

May 12 2016 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Dan Pettit

Throughout the history of this world God has allowed horrific evil. 

During the church age, Christians have been horribly mistreated and killed. In the United States today, maybe we are called names or shamed, but these last two centuries in America are an anomaly of world history. Our brothers and sisters in the Lord living in the rest of the world are being martyred for their faith in record numbers.

What amazes me is not that God allowed Saul to persecute the church, but that God went to such great lengths to redeem him and to save him. I am sure that that is why Paul/Saul called on Timothy and us to "Join with me in suffering for the Gospel".

2 Tim 1:8-9. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with {me} in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, (NASB)

May 11 2016 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report