Ephesians 3:2-6
King James Version
2 If ye have heard of the dispensation
of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me
the mystery;
(as I wrote afore in few words,
4 Whereby,
when ye read,
ye may understand my knowledge
in the mystery of Christ)
5 Which in other ages was not made known
unto the sons of men,
as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles
and prophets by the Spirit;
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs,
and of the same body,
and partakers of his promise in Christ
by the gospel:
Why did God choose Saul?
Ananias asked that.
Acts 9:10-14
King James Version
10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus,
named Ananias;
and to him said the Lord in a vision,
Ananias.
And he said,
Behold,
I am here, Lord.
11 And the Lord said unto him,
Arise,
and go into the street which is called Straight,
and enquire in the house of Judas
for one called Saul,
of Tarsus:
for, behold,
he prayeth,
12 And hath seen in a vision
a man named Ananias coming in,
and putting his hand on him,
that he might receive his sight.
13 Then Ananias answered,
Lord,
I have heard by many of this man,
how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests
to bind all that call on thy name.
To which, the LORD answered:
Acts 9:15-16
King James Version
15 But the Lord said unto him,
Go thy way:
for he is a chosen vessel unto me,
to bear my name before the Gentiles,
and kings,
and the children of Israel:
16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer
for my name's sake.
Ananias does as the LORD commanded.
Acts 9:17-18
King James Version
17 And Ananias went his way,
and entered into the house;
and putting his hands on him said,
Brother Saul,
the Lord,
even Jesus,
that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest,
hath sent me,
that thou mightest receive thy sight,
and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales:
and he received sight forthwith,
and arose,
and was baptized.
Strengthened by SPIRIT, Saul right away preached about CHRIST.
Acts 9:19-20
King James Version
19 And when he had received meat,
he was strengthened.
Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
20 And straightway he preached Christ
in the synagogues,
that he is the Son of God.
Of course, the people were mistrustful.
Acts 9:21
King James Version
21 But all that heard him were amazed,
and said;
Is not this he that destroyed them
which called on this name in Jerusalem,
and came hither for that intent,
that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?
But, Saul was unstoppable.
Acts 9:22
King James Version
22 But Saul increased the more in strength,
and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus,
proving that this is very Christ.
The Jews plotted to kill him, but this was known to Saul.
Acts 9:24-25
King James Version
24 But their laying await was known of Saul.
And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.
25 Then the disciples took him by night,
and let him down by the wall in a basket.
Still, the disciples were not trusting of him.
Acts 9:26
King James Version
26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem,
he assayed to join himself to the disciples:
but they were all afraid of him,
and believed not that he was a disciple.
But Barnabas vouched for him.
Acts 9:27-28
King James Version
27 But Barnabas took him,
and brought him to the apostles,
and declared unto them
how he had seen the Lord in the way,
and that he had spoken to him,
and how he had preached boldly at Damascus
in the name of Jesus.
28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.
Thus, began the official ministry of Saul -- God's chosen vessel to minister to the Gentiles, the kings, and children of Israel.
Acts 9:29-31
King James Version
29 And he spake boldly
in the name of the Lord Jesus,
and disputed against the Grecians:
but they went about to slay him.
30 Which when the brethren knew,
they brought him down to Caesarea,
and sent him forth to Tarsus.
31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea
and Galilee and Samaria,
and were edified;
and walking in the fear of the Lord,
and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost,
were multiplied.
We really can't judge who the Lord wishes to work in His behalf.
At any given moment, the worst offender could be touched by the SPIRIT of GOD, and could turn overnight, for the LORD's service.
I can only observe in awe God's wonderful ways, as shown in Scripture, and in my own life since I became born again.
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