Episode 882
Exploring Transformation: The Journey of Saul in Acts 9
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
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The discourse presented in this episode delves deeply into the transformative journey of Saul, later known as Paul, as depicted in Acts 9. The narrative unfolds with the pivotal moment of Saul's conversion, wherein Ananias, a disciple, extends an act of faith by restoring Saul's sight and bestowing upon him the Holy Spirit. This moment signifies not merely an individual metamorphosis, but rather a paradigm shift that encompasses the broader implications of community and trust. The initial skepticism exhibited by the disciples towards Saul serves as a critical reflection on the complexities of reconciliation, particularly when historical transgressions loom large over new beginnings. The conversation emphasizes that genuine transformation requires not only personal change but also the courage of communities to embrace those who have previously been adversaries. An integral aspect of this dialogue is the role of Barnabas, whose advocacy for Saul represents the necessity of allies in fostering acceptance and facilitating the difficult process of inclusion, thereby challenging listeners to consider their own positions and responsibilities in supporting systemic change.
Takeaways:
- In the discourse, we explore the systematic transformation of Saul from an enforcer of oppressive authority to a challenger of such systems.
- The initial skepticism exhibited by the disciples towards Saul is rooted in justified concerns about historical violence against their community.
- Barnabas's role as an ally illustrates how privileged individuals can leverage their influence to support transformative efforts in communities.
- The passage emphasizes the importance of creating an environment conducive to transformation while acknowledging the caution of those who have suffered harm.
- We are called to examine our own positions of privilege and to consider how we might act to support meaningful change.
- Our prayer seeks divine assistance in fostering communities that both promote transformation and respect the experiences of those who have been oppressed.
Links referenced in this episode:
Transcript
Brad Miller hello good people.
Speaker A:Welcome to Daily Bible Refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:This is the daily reading of the New Testament which we bring to you from the Revised Common Lectionary.
Speaker A:That is the selected verse of Scripture for this very day.
Speaker A:We're in year C of a three year cycle and we're in the Easter tide season.
Speaker A:We make the reading of the Bible understandable.
Speaker A:We give it to you from the Message version of the Bible Relatable.
Speaker A:We give you some points to ponder, an applicable and action step to take.
Speaker A:We bring it to you from our website voiceofgod daily.com that's the home of the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible study method.
Speaker A: ion years a million people by: Speaker A: ,: Speaker A:He sent me so you could see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Speaker A:No sooner were the words out of his mouth than something like scales fell from Saul's eyes.
Speaker A:He could see again.
Speaker A:He got to his feet, was baptized, and sat down with them to a hearty meal.
Speaker A:Plots Against Saul Saul spent a few days getting acquainted with the Damascus disciples, but then went right to work, wasting no time preaching in the meeting places that this Jesus was the Son of God.
Speaker A:They were caught off guard by this and not at all sure they could trust him.
Speaker A:They kept saying, isn't this the man who wreaked havoc in Jerusalem among the believers?
Speaker A:And didn't he come here to do the same thing?
Speaker A:Arrest us and drag us off to jail in Jerusalem for a sentencing by the high priest?
Speaker A:But their suspicions didn't slow Saul down for even a minute.
Speaker A:His momentum was up now and he plowed straight ahead into the opposition, disarming the Damascus Jews and trying to show them that this Jesus was the Messiah.
Speaker A:After this had gone on quite a long time, some Jews conspired to kill him, but Saul got wind of it.
Speaker A:They were watching the city gates around the clock so they could kill him.
Speaker A:Then one night, the disciples engineered his escape by lowering him over the wall in a basket.
Speaker A:Back in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were afraid of him.
Speaker A:They didn't trust him one bit.
Speaker A:Then Barnabas took him under his wing and he introduced him to the apostles and stood up for him, told them how Saul had seen, had spoken to the Master on the Damascus road, and how in Damascus itself he had laid his life on the line with his bold preaching in Jesus name.
Speaker A:After that he was accepted as one of them, going in and out of Jerusalem with no questions asked, uninhibited as he preached in the Master's name.
Speaker A:But then he ran afoul of a group called the Hellenist.
Speaker A:He had been engaged in a running argument with them who plotted his murder.
Speaker A:When his friends learned of the plot, they got out of town, took him to Caesarea and then shipped him off to Tarsus.
Speaker A:Things calmed down after that and the church had smooth sailing for a while.
Speaker A:All over the country, Judea, Samaria, Galilee, the church grew.
Speaker A:They were permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God.
Speaker A:The Holy Spirit was with them, strengthening them, and they prospered wonderfully.
Speaker A:A powerful passage of Scripture there that I share here with our with our community, our daily Bible Refresh Community about this radical transformation and the role of community in supporting change.
Speaker A:Let's look at some points to ponder.
Speaker A:One is the systematic transformation which takes place.
Speaker A:Saul's conversion wasn't just personal, but it was systematic.
Speaker A:It was moving from enforcing oppressive religious authority to challenging it.
Speaker A:This reminds us the real transformation offered requires people with privilege and power to switch sides, using their position to dismantle the various systems they once upheld.
Speaker A:Today's equivalents might be former ICE agents working for immigration rights or corporate leaders becoming climate activists.
Speaker A:A second point is about justified skepticism.
Speaker A:The disciples initial distrust of Saul wasn't paranoia but justified skepticism based on the history of violence against their community.
Speaker A:This speaks to modern discussions about accountability, reconciliation and the complexities of welcoming former oppressors.
Speaker A:It reminds us that marginalized communities have the right to be cautious about those claiming transformation.
Speaker A:The Role of Accomplices Barnabas role as an accomplice Vouching for Saul and risking his own credibility shows how privileged allies can use their position to support transformation.
Speaker A:This wasn't about centering himself, but about using his trusted status to create space for change.
Speaker A:This challenges modern allies to move beyond performative allyship to real risk taking.
Speaker A:Here's your action step.
Speaker A:Examine your own position and systems where you may have privilege or power.
Speaker A:If you've benefited from some unjust system, what would it mean to you to switch sides like Saul?
Speaker A:If you're in a position of trust like Barnabas, how can you use that trust to support those who are working for change.
Speaker A:Choose a concrete action that moves you from maintaining systems to transforming them.
Speaker A:We're going to pray here in just a moment.
Speaker A:Just a reminder and a call to action about our great resource that we have for you to help you to read the Bible on your own and study it on your own.
Speaker A:Just head ON over to voiceofgodddaily.com and that's where you're going to find it.
Speaker A:It's called the ABC 123 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A:It will help you in your individual Bible study.
Speaker A:Here's our prayer.
Speaker A:Oh God, you are the divine transformer and we live in a world where systems of oppression seem unchangeable and transformation seems impossible.
Speaker A:Help us believe in the possibility of radical change when we've been hurt by systems.
Speaker A:Give us wisdom to balance skepticism with hope when we benefited from privilege.
Speaker A:Give us courage to switch sides when we can be accomplices.
Speaker A:Show us how to take meaningful risk for justice.
Speaker A:Guide us in creating communities that support transformation while honoring the caution of those who've been harmed in hope and determination.
Speaker A:We pray.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Well, we thank you for joining us today and until tomorrow, we hope that you'll find courage and transformation and wisdom and accountability.
Speaker A:My name is Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:I'll be back again with you tomorrow for another episode of the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:Hope that you'll come join me.
Speaker A:Bring a friend.
Speaker A: million ears by: Speaker A:Until that time, remember that God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:This versicle of hasn't dried up.
Speaker A:It's created new every morning.
