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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Begin - Being - Binge (08/21/25)
A New Beginning: Commissioned to Serve the Gentiles

Christ commissioned the Apostle Paul to begin again…to become anew. During his Road to Damascus experience, Jesus made himself known unto the Apostle Paul, who was also named Saul. Saul had been persecuting and imprisoning those who believed in and followed the teachings of Jesus Christ. “And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks,” (Acts 9:3-5). This means that the Apostle Paul was only harming himself by resisting and opposing Christ and by persecuting and opposing those who followed Christ (www.neverthirsty.org/bible). “And he trembling and astonished said, Lord what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do,” (Acts 9:6).

After seeing the vision, Saul ends up physically blind for three days fasting both food and drink. Ananias, another disciple of Jesus Christ has appeared to Saul in a vision at Damascus. Saul sees Ananias restoring his sight in the vision. The Lord also appeared to Ananias in a vision instructing him to go find Saul of Tarsus who is praying and housed at the home of Judas. Ananias questions the Lord’s instructions. He is perplexed that the Lord wants him to go to Saul who is a known enemy of the saints of Christ. Saul has a known reputation for killing and binding Christ followers. Ananias reminds the Lord of Saul’s brutality toward the saints. This discourse still does not change the Lord’s mind or his will for Saul and Ananias (Acts 9:8-14).

“But the Lord said unto him (Ananias) Go thy way for he (Saul) is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. For I will shew him (Saul) how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him, said, Brother Saul, the Lord even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received his sight fore with, and arose, and was baptized,” (Acts 9:15-18). “And straightway (in Damascus) he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God,” (Acts 9:20).

Paul was commissioned by Jesus Christ to “bear the name of Christ before the Gentiles, and kings, and children of Israel.” He had been commissioned to preach and offer salvation to the Gentiles. This new commission marks a new change, a new commitment to the Lord for the Apostle Paul and for the Gentile nations who were once separated from God. The Gentile nations can now draw near to God through the blood of Jesus Christ. Christ has broken the wall of separation between the Gentiles and the Lord God. Paul’s old commission was given to him by the chief priests, who were among those who stood against Christ, who persecuted Christ and Christ’s followers. According to the Apostle Paul’s testimony, he was a known Pharisee (Acts 26:5). Paul’s new commission was to bring the message of salvation to the Gentile world. Here is the commission, the new purpose, the new calling, the new beginning of a new work that the Lord had ordained for the Apostle Paul: “And I (Paul) said, who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 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 which I will appear unto thee; delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to return them form 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,” (Acts 26:15-18).
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Catherine Green 
09/01/25
I like the way you have summed up parts of Paul/Saul’s life and linked it to the prompt.
It read like a mini Bible study and there is a lot for the reader take in for further study.
My only bit of constructive feedback is that there are a lot of quotes for such a small word count. On the other hand it’s never a bad thing to quote God’s word!
Blessings
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
09/01/25
This is an interesting Bible study. You did a fine job of writing on topic. I'd love to see you include some thoughts about how these verses impacted your life or is still relevant in today's world. I can feel your passion for sharing the Word with others and look forward to reading more of your work. You picked some great verses to go with your message.

On the message boards and in the FW Facebook group, there's a prompt to Drop a Hint about this week's entries. If you're looking for more feedback, consider going to FWFB or the forums and leave a hint about your title so others can find it and leave comments.