A Closer Look at Salvation

Acts 9:1-18 by Rev. Ronald O. McCants

Salvation

A change in a person's life from bad to good.

* Conversion * Regeneration * Salvation

Salvation is freedom from the bondage of sin.

Slaves had spiritual freedom while in slavery.

Barna PollBarna Research Group, Ltd., Oxnard, CA

• 56% say a good person can earn their way into Heaven

• 44% say all people experience the same outcome after they die, regardless of their religious beliefs

• 34% say there are some sins that God cannot forgive

• 31% believe that Hell is a literal, physical place, 37% say it is separation from God

• 69% believe in Heaven

Saul’s ConversionActs 9:1-18

What was the name of the place where some of the Lord's disciples lived?

1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.

What came from Heaven and knocked a man to the ground?

3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.

4 He fell to the ground …

Who was it that talked to Saul?

4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

• 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.

• 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Denial —”It can’t be,” It can’t

happen to me,” “It’s not true”.... The first stage of reaction to any sudden, unexpected event tends to be denial. Denial is normal if it lasts a short time, but persistent denial is unhealthy because it blocks further growth and healing.

What happened to Saul's eyes?

• 7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone.

• 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.

• 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

Who was the disciple the Lord called to him in a vision?

• 10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

• “Yes, Lord,” he answered.

What was the name of the street Judas lived on?

• 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.

• 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

• 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem.

What was Saul's purpose of going to Damascus?

14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

• Light and HeatSome people will change when they see the

light. Others change only when they feel the heat.

The Lord said to Ananias, "This man is my chosen

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.

What was the man's name whose life was changed on the road to Damascus?17 Then Ananias went to

the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Life Compared to a Car Engine

If I had a car with the engine that was ready for the grave, I’d have a new engine put in. I’d take the car into a mechanic who would put it in for me. If when I got that car back, it ran just as poorly, I’d begin to wonder if the old

really had been replaced or just cleaned up. It is not different with our new lives in Christ.

What fell off his eyes so he could see again?

18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,

19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

What are we saved from?

In the Christian doctrine of salvation, we are saved from “wrath,” that is, from God’s judgment of sin (Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:9). Our sin has separated us from God, and the consequence of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Biblical salvation refers to our deliverance from the consequence of sin and therefore involves the removal of sin.

Redemption and Salvation A free gift from Jesus Christ to all

Good News

Just Ask For It• When Clara Barton was overseeing the work of

the Red Cross in Cuba. One day Colonel Theodore Roosevelt came to her and he wanted to buy food for his sick and wounded soldiers. But she refused to sell him any. When he asked someone why he could not buy anything, he was told, “Colonel, just ask for it!” A smile broke over Roosevelt’s face. Now he understood—the food was not for sale. All he had to do was simply ask and it would be given freely.

A Closer Look at Salvation

God bless you