Acts, Chapter 8, tells us that one of Jesus’ followers, named Philip, was directed by an angel of the Lord to go south into Gaza. There he saw an Ethiopian eunuch of great authority sitting in his chariot reading from Esaias the prophet. Urged by the Spirit, Philip moved close to the chariot, listened, then asked the man, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
“How can I without somebody to guide me?” he replied. Then he asked Philip to join him in the chariot. “Who, the eunuch asked, “is this scripture speaking of?”
Philip began at the same scripture and preached Jesus to him. They traveled as they talked, and soon came to a small body of water. “Here is water, the man said, “What is to keep me from being baptized?”
Philip told him, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”
He answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” Both men went down into the water and Philip baptized him.
In Chapter 9 of Acts, we are introduced to Saul, later known as Paul. This man was born a Jew and raised according to the perfect manner of the Jewish law. Therefore, he was determined to destroy this new sect of disciples who claimed that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. Acts 9:1 – And Saul, still breathing out threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high Priest.
Armed with signed papers addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, giving him permission to arrest any man or woman associated with the disciples and bring them back to Jerusalem, Saul and his men set out for Damascus. Suddenly, a great light from heaven appeared, surrounding them. Frightened, Saul fell to the ground, and a voice called, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
Saul, the light so bright he couldn’t see, cried out, “Who are you?”
The voice answered, “I am Jesus, the one you persecute.”
Trembling and astonished, Saul asked, “Lord, what would you have me to do?”
“Arise and go into the city. You will be told what you must do.”
The men stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. Saul stood up and opened his eyes, but could see nothing. The men led him by the hand into the Damascus where he stayed for three days without eating or drinking.
Later in Damascus, the Lord appeared in a vision to a disciple named Ananias, and sent him to speak to Saul. Ananias obeyed, though he knew who Saul was and was afraid. As soon as he laid his hand on Saul and told him he had been sent by Jesus, Saul received his sight and was filled with the Holy Ghost. After being baptized, and spending some time with the disciples at Damascus, Paul was preaching in the synagogues that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. You can read his testimony in Acts, Chapter 22.
These are two stories of how the Holy Spirit works still today, changing men’s hearts and convincing them that Jesus truly is who He claimed to be…the Son of God…sent to die on the cross for the sins of us all. Believing there is a God is not enough, and trying to be a good person; doing good deeds and caring for others, is not enough to get us into heaven. Believing is knowing in your heart that Jesus is real, the Bible is true and God loves us so much that He gave His own Son to die in our place. Because of Jesus we can have a new beginning, a new life in Him.
Accepting Christ isn’t always easy. It’s hard to give our heart away. It’s like being afraid to cross a bridge without knowing for sure what’s on the other side. But how will we ever know, if we don’t try? Is doing it our own way working out so far? Have you found all the answers? Or do you need a Savior to show you the way…someone who loves you and wants only the best for you? Cross that bridge today and ask Jesus to come into your life…believe with all your heart that He is the Son of God…and know that surely goodness and mercy are on the other side.
