The New You
Acts 9:20-31
2 Corinthians 5:17, (NKJV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
1st A New Faith
Acts 22:3, (NIV)
"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.
Philippians 3:5-6, (NIV)
circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.
Galations 1:13-14, (NIV)
For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
Acts 26:9, (NIV)
"I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth.”
Acts 9:20, (NIV)
At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.
2nd A New Fight
Acts 9:22, (NIV)
Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.
1 Timothy 6:12, (NIV)
Fight the good fight of faith...
Acts 9:23
After many days had gone by, the Jews conspired to kill him,
Galations 1:15-18, (NIV)
But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus. Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem...
Acts 9:22-25, (NIV)
Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ. After many days had gone by, the Jews conspired to kill him, but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch
on the city gates in order to kill him. But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
2 Corinthians 11:32-33, (NIV)
In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.
Acts 17:6, (NIV)
“These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here!”
Acts 17:6, (NLT)
"Paul and Silas have caused trouble all over the world and now they are here disturbing our city, too.”
Acts 17:6, (MSG)
"These people are out to destroy the world, and now they've shown up on our doorstep, attacking everything we hold dear!
3rd A New Family
Galations 1:18, (NIV)
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him fifteen days.
Acts 9:26, (NIV)
When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.
Acts 9:27, (NIV)
But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.
Acts 9:28-29, (NIV)
So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him.
4th A New Future
Acts 9:30-31, (NIV)
When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace.
Acts 9:31, (NIV)
Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.
Acts 9:15, (NIV)
But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.
Jeremiah 29:11-13, (NIV)
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Ephesians 2:10, (NIV)
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
1 Corinthians 2:9-10, (NIV)
However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" — but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.