The Heavenly Vision Series

Acts 26:12 - 32 The Heavenly Vision

I. The Call of the Risen Lord. 12-14 - It Comes:-

i. Suddenly 12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority

His Animosity - 11 I persecuted them even unto strange cities.

His Activity - as I went,

His Authority - with authority and commission from the chief priests

His Apathy - Nothing further from his mind than conversion

ii. Supremely 13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun,

A Vision - I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun

A Voice - 14 I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

A Visitation 15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

A Vocation - 16 for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

iii Successfully - As Evidenced In His Life, His Love, and His Labours

II. The Commission of the Risen Lord.

A. God had a Plan in Paul's conversion. 16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

He was to be a Minister - to make thee a minister

a Martyr - and a witness

a Messenger - Of things seen, and things as yet unseen.

B. God had a Purpose in Paul's conversion. 17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

1. Given a Mandate - 17 Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee.

2. Given a Mission 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me .

(a) How the Lord Sees us. - (1) Spiritually Blind:

18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light

(2) Satanically Bound: To turn them... from the power of Satan unto God

(b) How the Lord Saves us. He saves us by :- Giving us

Freedom: "to open their eyes... to turn them."

Forgiveness: "That they may receive forgiveness of sins."

a Future: "That we may receive... inheritance."

Fellowship: "... among them which are sanctified."

Faith: "by faith that is in me."

(c) How the Lord Stirs us 19 I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision

3. Given a Message

20 that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance

That is a clear note in all Paul's epistles: first doctrine, then deeds; first belief, then behavior; first the principles, then the practice; first the faith, then the fruit.

III. The Communication of the Risen Lord.

22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:

(a) The Source of His Work - 22 Having therefore obtained help of God

(b) The Scope of His Work - 22 witnessing both to small and great

(c) The Secret of His Work - 23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

IV. The Conviction of the Risen Lord.

(a) The witness of HISTORY WAS THERE.

27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.

(b) The witness of PROPHECY WAS THERE.

28 Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

(c) The witness of TESTIMONY WAS THERE.

29 Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds