17“When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance 18and saw the Lord speaking to me. ‘Quick!’ he said. ‘Leave Jerusalem immediately, because the people here will not accept your testimony about me.’
19“ ‘Lord,’ I replied, ‘these people know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat those who believe in you. 20And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’
21“Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ”–Acts 22
- Please read verse 17 as descriptive and not prescriptive. We have the complete Bible. Paul didn’t. No extra revelation today is needed.
- Paul admitted his sin to God. He confessed his darkest moments. Paul is a good example for us here.
- He even called Stephen “your martyr.” That tells you how far Paul had come theologically.
- Jesus was sending Paul far away.
- We could also understand that as out of Paul’s comfort zones.
- To what ministry has God called you?
- How can and should you respond?–JMB
Joel M Bradshaw 
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