the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 4 of 5
Acts 9:23-43
As soon as he was converted, Saul, began to preach the name of the One he had fought against until then (v. 20). However many years will still have to pass before he is prepared for the ministry which is to be his according to v. 15. Young, believing friends, do not wait until you have a great deal of knowledge in order to speak to others of the Lord. At the same time do not think that it is sufficient to be saved in order immediately to undertake any kind of service. Paul had to have a time of retreat in Arabia (Galatians 1:17), then another period of withdrawal in Tarsus (Acts 9:30; Acts 11:25) before being called to take the gospel to the Gentiles with Barnabas. It is only after fourteen years from his conversion that the apostles will give him "the right hand of fellowship" for the work among the Gentiles. Four beautiful characteristics mark the assemblies in these early times: peace, edification, a holy fear and finally progress due to the action of the divine "Comforter" (v. 31). The Holy Spirit is still with us to make us experience and show forth these characteristics.
The chapter closes with the cure of Aeneas and the resurrection of Dorcas: two miracles, performed by Peter, which are the means of leading souls to the Lord and of making the disciples rejoice in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
