Paul was testifying before King Agrippa about his former life persecuting Christians and his conversion experience on the road to Damascus. He saw a bright light and heard Jesus say "Why do you persecute me?" realizing that in persecuting Christians he was persecuting Jesus. Paul was once a persecutor of Christians but was now a believer in Jesus as the Messiah.

1. Stone
Creek
You are
welcome
www.rossvillechurch.com
781 Salem Road, Rossville, GA 30741
2-20-2013
1

2. The Apostle Paul is testifying
before Governor Festus, King
Agrippa, and Agrippa’s wife
and sister -- Bernice.
He is speaking directly to
King Agrippa.
2

3. He has told of his youth in Jerusalem, learning to
live according to the strictest interpretation of the
Jewish law and customs.
And, he tells them that the real reason these Jews
hate him is his belief and message that Jesus is
Messiah and that God raised Him from the dead.
But -- he says, “I did not always believe.”
“I once fought hard against Christians.”
3

4. Acts 26:12 Whereupon as I went
to Damascus with authority
and commission from the
chief priests (to round up
Christians for persecution),
13 At midday, O king, I saw
in the way a Light from
Heaven, above the brightness
of the sun, shining round The Lord is
about me and them which
the Light.
journeyed with me.
4

5. 1 John 1 (TLB) 5 This is the message God has
given us to pass on to you: that God is Light and in
Him is no darkness at all. 6 So if we say we are His
friends but go on living in spiritual darkness and
sin, we are lying. 7 But if we are living in the Light
of God’s Presence, just as Christ does, then we
have wonderful fellowship and joy with each other,
and the Blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from
every sin.
Paul saw the Lord as he went to Damascus.
5

6. 14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard
a Voice speaking unto me, and saying in the
Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou
Me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
15 And I said, Who art Thou, Lord? And he said, I
am Jesus Whom thou persecutest.
“Why persecutest thou Me?”
“I am Jesus Whom thou persecutest.”
Anyone who persecutes believers in Christ,
persecutes Jesus, the Christ.
6

7. John 15 18-21 If the world hate you, ye know that it
hated Me before it hated you. If ye were of the
world, the world would love his own: but because
ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out
of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Re-
member the Word that I said unto you, The servant
is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted
Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept
My Saying, they will keep yours also. But all these
things will they do unto you for My Name's sake,
because they know not Him that sent Me.
7

8. Persecution for Christians is inevitable.
Don’t fear persecution; embrace it.
1 Peter 3 (NIV) 13 Who is going to harm you if you
are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should
suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not
fear what they fear; do not be frightened." 15 But in
your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be
prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks
you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
Why am I confident that I am going to Heaven?
I am washed in the Blood of Jesus. 8

9. 1 Peter 3 15 continued But do this with gentleness and
respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those
who speak maliciously against your good behavior
in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 It is
better, if it is God's Will, to suffer for doing good
than for doing evil.
To be harsh and hateful is to do evil.
Show forth the Love of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
A judgmental and criticizing Christian is
not helpful in the Kingdom of God.
9

10. “It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”
This may mean that Paul had been troubled by the
pricks of his conscience,
But he later testified that he did what he did in
ignorance, believing he did right.
Jesus may have been speaking of the futility of
fighting against His church,
Because the church will always stand!
10

11. Matthew 16 16 And Simon Peter answered and said,
Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed
art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath
not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in
Heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art
Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church;
and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
11

12. Let us follow Paul’s example of Christianity.
Let’s be bold and yet gentle and respectful.
Begin at home.
Paul never stirred up trouble;
He simply told the Truth about Jesus.
Unbelievers stirred up the trouble.
Worthy Example!
12