'The Power of Salvation' by Mike Mills

April 26, 2018 - There is no power on earth like the power of salvation through Christ Jesus. 

Let us look at how powerful was the redemption of one man, Saul of Tarsus, a man who tormented the followers of Christ in the early church of the Way.

One of the seven original deacons of the church was a man called Stephen, a righteous man who was a deacon but also preached the gospel to all who would listen. 

This man Saul approved of the death of Stephen, a death by stoning for the crime of preaching the gospel of Christ Jesus.

On the day of Stephen’s execution; “And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.” (Acts 8:1) 

After the death of Stephen Saul went about his business of persecuting the followers of Christ. “But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.” (Acts 8:3) 

Now Saul had become known across the land as the chief persecutor of the followers of the Way for he was the most zealous of all Judea against the new movement of Christianity.

Saul then went before the high priest of Judaism and asked for letters to the synagogues of Damascus that he might go there and bind all he would find belonging to the Way, the church of Jesus. He planned to have them brought back to Jerusalem and thrown into prison there.

But, on the way to Damascus; “Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. Falling on the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.” (Acts 9:3-7) 

Now then Saul rose from the ground but could not see as the light had blinded him, he had to be led into Damascus where he stayed at the house of a man called Judas for three days, blind without food or water.

During this time the Lord spoke to a man there named Ananias, a disciple of the Lord and told him to go the the house of Judas and lay hands on Saul. 

But Ananias knew of Saul and feared for his own life if he even went near this man, Saul. 

The Lord then told Ananias; “But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.” (Acts 9:15)

“So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened.” (Acts 9:17-19)

Now we all know that Saul who became the apostle Paul then became the greatest preacher and writer of the gospel of Christ that the world has ever seen. 

For just as he had been the most zealous of the disciples of Judaism, he became the most zealous of the disciples of the Way.

The power of Christ, the power of salvation, there is no other power on earth to compare. 

I pray today that all might experience this great and majestic power, this cleansing of all guilt of sin from one’s life, forever. 

May all people come to know and follow our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, of whom the Bible says; “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” (Romans 10:9-10) 

Do you believe, will you confess today. Believe and confess and receive the free gift of salvation in our Lord.