Today we are reading Acts 22. Paul has just been attacked and beaten by the crowds on the Temple grounds. He has been arrested by the Romans and now asks to speak to the crowd that was trying to kill him. The key word for this chapter is “di-o-ko”. The definition is “to pursue, to hunt an animal, to persecute”. Paul uses this word to describe how aggressively he persecuted Christians. “”I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women,”
Acts 22:3-4 Paul was a ferocious destroyer of the church because he felt he was serving God in this way. God pursued Paul and converted him to become one of the greatest missionaries ever. From that time forward he pursued unbelievers to teach them the Gospel. Who or what are you pursuing? What is it that receives your full energy and attention? God pursued you and brought you into the faith relationship you now enjoy. May God strengthen you with the Holy Spirit like Paul so you can be a great missionary! Pastor Tim
