Unstoppable! 'Persecuting Jesus' — Acts 9:3-5

Saul, whom we know better as Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, was intent on wreaking havoc among Christians during this part of his life. He did not yet realize two incredibly important truths:

1. Jesus is the Messiah, the promised Savior, and Son of God.
2. Jesus considers every one of his followers as a part of himself: They are his body and vitally connected to him, as indicated by his question to Saul, "Why are you persecuting me?"

As Saul came to believe in Christ, Jesus' answer when Saul asked "Who are you, lord?" on the road to Damascus changed everything for Saul. He came to faith and reoriented his passion from being against Jesus to sharing Jesus with others. Plus, the insight that the believers whom he was persecuting were one with Jesus prepared him to teach about the church being the body of Christ. Each person who is a follower of Christ is a part, a member, of Jesus' body (1 Corinthians 12:27). These Christians were not members of a club or organization. Each of them was organically and vitally connected to Jesus, as a body part with Jesus as the head of this body (Colossians 1:18). The words "I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!" never left Paul's heart. They humbled him, but they also helped him see how precious each follower of Jesus genuinely is!