This man is my chosen instrument.
—Acts 9:15
Paul is our hero. But we wouldn’t have Paul without the words and works of others.
We owe Paul to the prayer of Stephen. “When the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval,” Paul said (Acts 22:20). Stephen’s dying words were, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
We owe Paul to the courage and spirit of Ananias. Paul had come to town to destroy Christians. Ananias, albeit reluctantly, answered God’s call to bless and baptize Paul.
We owe Paul to the acceptance of Barnabas. When the church regarded Paul with rancor, suspicion, and fear, Barnabas believed in him, stood up for him, and teamed with him.
Most of all, we owe Paul to God: “This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles” (Act 9:15).
Who can you help
realize their potential?