Acts 8
The death of Stephen seem to be a defeat for the church, but it resulted in some great victories for the Lord.
Wherever the believers went, they shared the gospel and many trusted the Saviour.
Stephen's witness made a tremendous impression on Saul and was instrumental in his conversion.
Like Stephen, Philip was a deacon, who was also an evangelist.
And God led him to witness in Samaria to some people hostile to the Jews.
The way to turn enemies to friends, is to make them brothers and sisters in Christ.
In times of great blessing, wherever God sows true seed, the devil sows a counterfeit.
You can just count on it.
Like Peter we must be alert and exercise real discernment.
Philip left a great harvest to talk to one man.
But you see, that is a mark of a true servant of the Lord – we must go where God sends us, do what God tells us, and then leave the results with Him.
Acts 9
We'll see the conversion of Saul of Tarsus was a turning point in the church's entire history.
And God used several people to touch his life.
We remember Paul but are prone to forget the people who helped him get started.
No man is an island
The witness of Stephen was significant as were the testimonies and prayers of persons Saul persecuted.
Ananias baptised him and encouraged him, and the disciples at Damascus saved his life.
When the church in Jerusalem feared to welcome Saul into their fellowship, Barnabas (that means 'son of encouragement') built the bridge.
People who encourage are bridge-builders.
Barnabas later enlisted Saul in the Antioch church and traveled with him in evangelistic ministry among the Gentiles.
Now you may not be called to do prominent work as Saul was, but you can do the job that God has called you to do and be an encouragement to others.
We do not know the names of the brave men who smuggled Saul out of Damascus, but holding the ropes was indeed a very important job.
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