Imagine a complete transformation, where God totally makes a person turn 180 degrees from the way they were going.
Jeffrey Dahmer was a mass murderer, killing (and eating) 17 boys over 13 years. (Sorry to be graphic.) Dahmer was convicted and sentenced to 15 consecutive life sentences (totaling over 900 years). While in prison God changed the heart of Dahmer; he began to read and study the Bible and came to faith in Christ. He repented of his sins and was baptized by a local Church of Christ minister in 1994. What an amazing story! God's transforming power is for ALL people, not just those who the world thinks of as "good." No one would have ever imagined that Dahmer would feel sorry for what he'd done, let alone become a follower of Christ. God truly works in amazing ways.
2000 years ago we would have encountered another murderer. This man took pride in dragging people out of their homes and throwing them in prison, even in having them killed! Yet on the road to Damascus God caused Saul to have a transformational experience. Jesus blinded Saul (aka Paul) in order that he might truly SEE God. Ananias baptized him into Christ three days later. From that moment on Paul becomes passionate about the Gospel of Jesus. God caused him to have a transformational experience that transformed not only HIS life, but the history of the entire world.
Isn't God good! What did you learn?
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Who's in and who's out? That's the real question in Acts 10. Before this most Christians had been former Jews or God-fearers (people who believe in God but didn't take the drastic circumcision step.) In Acts 10 God tells Peter to stop trying to decide who is in and who is out of the church. God sent Jesus to save everyone who believes and chooses him as their LORD and Savior. Peter sees the Holy Spirit poured out on these Gentiles and he baptizes them on the spot!
We so often decide who can and can't come to church based on their outward appearance or their background. Maybe we should trust that God's Spirit is at work in the world in the lives of those TOTALLY unlike us and look to see where God is moving. Just a thought.
What do you think about these two chapters?
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I think that the part that stands out the most to me is definitely Paul's conversion. I think it makes a fairly reasonable connection to Jeffery Dahmer. I heard about him in my leadership class recently. A student was giving a presentation about redemption for leaders when they do something wrong. The class decided that he didn't get redemption, but I feel differently now that we are comparing him to Paul. Paul killed many believers but he himself was redeemed in God's eyes. Daniel, I am glad that you mentioned Jeffery Dahmer.
ReplyDeleteMegan, thanks for your response. Part of their view is that Dahmer was a maniac (which he was), but I am guessing that your leadership professor holds no trust in the pwoer of the Gospel. It is absolutely amazing what God can do through his Spirit.
ReplyDelete(That was from Daniel, by the way...)
ReplyDeleteI think the courage of Barnabas to recognize the change in Saul also took some gumption. The disciples themselves were not sure if they should believe Saul's claim of transformation. I pray that God will give me the sight that Barnabas to see the good in people.
ReplyDelete