Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 269

September 26;       Acts 26:16;       115/260(III);       ‘Seen and Revealed’

Acts 26:16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.

Paul was sharing his testimony and preaching to King Agrippa.  Paul was relating how he was on the road to Damascus to persecute and imprison Christians.  Suddenly a bright light from heaven knocked Paul and his companions down.  Jesus’ voice came from heaven asking Paul why we persecuting Jesus.  Remember Jesus was in heaven at this time, but He asked why Paul was persecuting Him.  When we persecute Christians, since we are His body, we are persecuting Jesus.  Thank Jesus that if you are being persecuted, He knows it and will surely help you.  The Lord tells Paul that He will make Paul a minister to preach the gospel to the Gentiles.  Jesus tells Paul that he will be a witness for the Lord in two areas.  First in things seen.  That would be Paul’s testimony, which he shares several times in Acts and the epistles.  Your testimony is powerful because these are things that happened to you.  Additionally, part to things seen is what Paul knew about Christianity when Jesus confronted him and called him.  When you start out the only thing you can share about the Lord is what you know at the time.  If you are serious with your relationship with Jesus, you will be a witness for the Lord in what He reveals or teaches you as you study the Bible.  Your knowledge of the Lord is what it is when you first get saved.  Be diligent in the Word and you will grow and become a powerful witness for the Lord, equipped to continue Jesus’ ministry.