I Don't Remember Saul of Tarsus Choosing Jesus in Damascus
I was thinking about Calvinism for the nth time. Calvinism sounds cruel yet one can consider why some preachers subscribe to it. Some are convinced that the only way to explain why some people respond to salvation is because they're chosen by it. Such a doctrine seems hard to believe, right? Some preachers may respect Calvinist preachers but reject the three other doctrines namely unconditional election, limited atonement, and irresistible grace. Right now, I even want to say, "I don't remember Saul of Tarsus choosing Jesus in Damascus!"
A good study of the Book of Acts would reveal that Saul didn't choose Jesus. I do find it ironic that many King James Onlyists reject Calvinism. A history of Calvinism reveals that the King James Version (KJV) was translated by the Puritans. The Puritans were Calvinists. Acts 9 would reveal that it was Jesus who chose Saul and not Saul who chose Jesus. Saul wasn't on his way to preach the Gospel. No siree he was on his way to destroy Christianity. We can see an example of God's sovereign grace at work with Saul's miraculous conversion.
Nowhere in the first few parts do I read that Saul chose Jesus. Instead, Jesus chose Saul. The risen Lord at first asked Saul, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" Many times, people are addressed of their wrongs but are hardhearted. But notice Saul's reaction is that of obedience. We can see God's grace at work. Then we read in Acts 9:15 which says, "But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:" Notice that Jesus told the man named Ananias of Damascus that He chose Saul to be the chosen vessel. In the English Standard Version (ESV) which I tend to use as a secondary reference (due to my preference for the KJV as the best Calvinist translation) - we read the word instrument.
Nowhere in the first few parts do I read that Saul chose Jesus. Instead, Jesus chose Saul. The risen Lord at first asked Saul, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" Many times, people are addressed of their wrongs but are hardhearted. But notice Saul's reaction is that of obedience. We can see God's grace at work. Then we read in Acts 9:15 which says, "But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:" Notice that Jesus told the man named Ananias of Damascus that He chose Saul to be the chosen vessel. In the English Standard Version (ESV) which I tend to use as a secondary reference (due to my preference for the KJV as the best Calvinist translation) - we read the word instrument.
Consider that Saul himself was a chosen vessel. The words chosen vessel would really make it clear as day that Saul himself didn't' choose Jesus. Rather, it was Jesus who chose Saul the persecutor to become the missionary to the Gentiles. Saul could not brag of anything. Instead, we read in Acts 26:18-20 the following words, "But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me." Paul acknowledges the fact that he didn't choose Jesus before Agrippa. Rather, Jesus chose Paul to be a missionary unto the Gentiles.
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