David Bahn – Reflections

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Acts 8:1-13

Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen.

A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. ² (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) ³ But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.

⁴ But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. ⁵ Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. ⁶ Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. ⁷ Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. ⁸ So there was great joy in that city.

⁹ A man named Simon had been a sorcerer there for many years, amazing the people of Samaria and claiming to be someone great. ¹⁰ Everyone, from the least to the greatest, often spoke of him as “the Great One—the Power of God.” ¹¹ They listened closely to him because for a long time he had astounded them with his magic.

¹² But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized. ¹³ Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed.

I’ve shared many times that my earliest memories have me standing on my parents’ bed getting ready for Sunday School while singing “Jesus Loves Me.” I was raised in a Christian family. I don’t have a dramatic conversion story. Somehow the Holy Spirit moved in my heart at a very young age. I was baptized at the age of eight, and it was a big deal in my family. Even my grandmothers came to witness it. There was much joy. But I didn’t feel any different. It was as though I was sealing the deal on becoming a member of the church, a Christian.

I have friends who can mark the time when they became a Christian. There was a before-Jesus life and an after-Jesus life. They speak of great peace and joy. They remember the days, the times, the people, the words that spoke to their hearts.

Dr. Dale Meyer is former president of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, and speaker on The Lutheran Hour radio program. Dr. Meyer was speaking at a convention of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, and asked the question, “How many of you are life-long Lutherans?” More than 80% of the hands were raised. Then he said, bluntly, “No you’re not. We’re all converts.”

You may have been raised in a Christian home. You may – like me – not remember a time when you didn’t believe in Jesus. You may have been baptized the moment of your birth. But we’re all born sinful. We weren’t born Christian, Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, or Catholic. We were all born sinners. We who follow Jesus are all converts. By God’s power. Because of his love. The Holy Spirit works this through the word of the Gospel.

I mention all this because there may be someone you know for whom you are praying. You pray that they would repent and believe in Jesus. You pray that they would come to faith. To that I say, keep praying! Look at Saul. He agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. He is no lover of Jesus. He is determined to bring Jesus’ followers to jail. He will squash this nascent band of brothers and sisters in Christ.

Or so he thinks. It won’t be long that his life will dramatically change. He will be converted. So keep praying for that wayward child, that troublesome coworker, that critical neighbor. And watch. It may take a while, and things might look very bad. But God hears our prayers. And the bigger they are… Well, you know how that saying ends!