1 QUOTE

“But Barnabas took him (Saul) and brought him to the apostles.”

The Apostle Luke (Acts 9:27)

1 NOTE

When we consider the Christian conversion of Saul of Tarsus, it is easy to read the text with what Ray Bakke calls ‘stained-glass lenses.’ It is easy to picture Saul traveling on the road when Jesus appeared, converting his heart, and then Saul happily planting churches and writing 13 New Testament books and letters.

I view his conversion text as gritty and R-rated. I see a religious zealot, a murderous extremist. Saul was responsible for Stephen’s death, dropping the handkerchief to end his life (Acts 8:1). Saul was breathing threats and murder against men, women and children disciples when Jesus met him on the road. Saul had already killed, and was preparing the next smart bomb for an intended target. I personally believe the hate that drove him to violence originated with the loss of his wife. Saul was mentored by the great Pharisee Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). Saul was groomed for the highest levels of Sanhedrin leadership. To be a member of the ruling party marriage was a requirement. Saul would not have had authority to execute Stephen if he were not already a high-ranking Pharisee. When his wife died young, I believe he internally melted down.

When Saul was converted, the word had to get out that the terrorist was now a Christian. In Acts 2, Barnabas devoted himself to word, fellowship, prayer and meals. In Acts 4, Barnabas gave his field and was given a new name. Clearly for the next five chapters, he lived up to that name, encouraging the church. With the full authority and trust of the church, Luke tells us that no one believed Saul was a Christian. They believed this was part of his next attack. The church was afraid (Acts 9:26). But Barnabas brought him to the apostles. He put his arm around him. Together, they told the story of seeing Jesus on the road. When Barnabas vouched for him, this was no small task. How different Christian history, and our lives today, would be if Saul had been rejected by the apostles. In Acts 4, Barnabas gave away his field. In Acts 9, Barnabas gave away his reputation, sponsoring a man some feared was still a terrorist. The impact of this mentoring act is literally indescribable.

1 QUESTION

Has someone in your life sponsored you in a way that made a big difference? Who are you sponsoring today to help them in their faith, life and ministry?

Until Next Tuesday,

John