LORD, WHAT WILT THOU HAVE ME TO DO?
By John C. Carpenter
In the book of Acts, we read: Saul [later given by Christ the new
name of Paul], yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired
of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them
bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And
he [Saul] fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord?
And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee [Saul] to kick against the pricks. And he [Saul]trembling
and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him [Saul], Arise, and go into the city, and it shall
be told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul
arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And
he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to
him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street
which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen
in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord,
I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief
priests to bind all that call on thy name. 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: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that
appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized (Acts
9:1-18).
Saul, as he was originally called, was a Jew who loved and honored his Jewish heritage and traditions. Additionally
Saul did not know Jesus Christ. Saul even hated those who had come to faith in Christ. Saul was breathing out menacing threats to
kill any disciples of the the Lord, with the intention of binding any Christians he encountered and bringing them to Jerusalem. But,
unexpected to Saul, God had a different purpose for the man called Saul. On Saul's journey to Damascus, a light from heaven shined
around him and he fell to the earth, and seeing no man but heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? Saul
responded, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest [intentionally pursue and cause to suffer]: it
is hard for thee to kick [combat, resist, overcome] against the pricks [probably a reference to the poisonous sting or bite of the
serpent; in other words, a Devilish temptation to sin]. Trembling with fear, amazed, and dumbfounded, Saul answered Jesus with these
powerful, yet humble, words Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? With such a simple and humble question, we cannot avoid asking what
personality characteristics and qualities in Saul led him to give such an humble response?
THE WIND BLOWETH WHERE IT LISTETH
First,
when Saul asked, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do, we can immediately identify two qualities which become apparent: a lack of understanding,
at least partially, about what had just happened to him, and two, a willingness, even eagerness, to obediently follow Christ and His
words in spite of his lack of understanding.
It is clear that Saul, at least initially, not only did not know the Lord, but probably
did not understand what had happened to him. Neither did he know what else the Lord might say to him, require of him, or want to do
through him. The scriptures teach us that the only way to hear the voice of God and come to a saving knowledge of Christ is through
the will and revelation, as with Saul, of God the Father and the movement and operation of the Holy Spirit. God the Father, alone,
is behind this work of salvation; man has nothing to do with it. Anyone who now knows Christ did not come to that revelation of Jesus
Christ by his or her own volition. Jesus instructed a leader of the Jewish church how anyone comes to a knowledge of Christ and is
born again: Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water [physically] and [spiritually] of the [Holy] Spirit,
he cannot [know God and] enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the [Holy] Spirit
is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound
thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit (John 3:5-8). Jesus,
Himself, said we humans canst not tell how this process works. Jesus also taught His own disciples about the mystery of salvation
when He explained to them that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father (John 6:65). Coming to a saving
knowledge of Jesus Christ is a mysterious [hidden] spiritual process which man cannot completely understand, nor is meant to understand.
Truly, the scriptures identify Christ as the author [chief leader, author, prince] and finisher [fulfillment, finisher] of our faith;
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of
God (Hebrews 12:2), but our heavenly Father, through the operation of the Holy Spirit, is the source and creator of that faith. Saul
eventually understood, and later explained, where his belief and faith in Christ came from when he wrote the believers in Galatia:But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither
was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how
that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine
own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's
womb, and called me by his grace. To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not
with flesh and blood (Galatians 1:11-16). God revealed Christ to the man named Saul according to God's will, timing, and plans. It
is not possible to know Christ unless it is God's will and time. Paul understood the words of Solomon: To every thing there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under the heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
Yet, despite Saul's shock and lack of understanding about these
events, he did not turn away from the voice he had heard, or the person of Jesus who he had suddenly been introduced to. He purposed
within himself to continue to follow Jesus, and this was smart of Saul's part. God requires His disciples to humbly and fully follow
Him. Christ commanded Simon Peter and Andrew Follow [come to me, get behind me] me, and I will make you fishers of men (Matthew 4:19);
and to Matthew He also said Follow me. And he [Matthew] arose, and followed him. Jesus gave these instructions to those who would
be His disciples: when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me,
let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose
his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it (Mark 8:34-35). With these words, Jesus also defines what He means when
He instructs us to follow Him – the disciple is to lose his life for Christ's sake and the sake of the gospel.
In spite of not
fully understanding what had just happened to him, and by not turning away from Christ an His words, Saul clearly purposed in his
heart and mind to follow Jesus, and to lose his life for the sake of Christ and His gospel. Saul had just agreed to become a chosen
vessel and servant unto Jesus, to bear the name of Jesus before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel, and to suffer
great things for the name of Jesus Christ.
SUBMIT YOURSELVES THEREFORE TO GOD
Second, when Saul asked, Lord, what wilt thou
have me to do?, it is apparent that Saul displayed a submissive spirit to Christ. Saul had suddenly come face to face, or we might
say, voice to voice, with Jesus Christ, and, in that moment, come to a saving knowledge of Christ. Surely, Saul did not understand
this process of meeting Christ, but in spite of his own ignorance of the process, he submitted, without reservation, none the less.
Saul did the really smart thing – he submitted to Christ and His will for Saul. Rebellion against Jesus and the Father would have
spelled disaster for Saul. Submission is a requirement with God the Father. Without submission to God, there is no personal relationship
with Him, and without personal relationship, there is no salvation nor fruit. As symbolic of the believers submissive relationship
to the one God, Paul instructed Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord (Colossians 3:18), while
the author of Hebrews instructed believers to obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your
souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you (Hebrews
13:17). If we would be pleasing to God, submission to our fellow man is also essential. Additionally, according to the apostle Peter,
we must even submit to the laws and ordinances created by those in authority over us: Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man
for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment
of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance
of foolish men (1 Peter 2:13-15). Submission to authority is clearly the will of God.
On the Damascus road, the hater of Christ
and those who believe in Him, the man and Jew named Saul, heard the voice of Christ, saw the light of Christ, and received the knowledge
of Christ only through the will, timing, and grace of God the Father, and the operation of the Holy Spirit. Saul had nothing to do
with the events of that day, but was thankful to his heavenly Father for bringing him to a saving knowledge of the Son of God, and
soon began to fulfill the calling Jesus was now giving him. Saul's saving knowledge of Christ and his subsequent calling and ministry
were both made possible only by Saul's submission to a process which he did not fully understand.
TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL
THINE HEART
Third, when Saul asked, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?, Saul also displayed a complete trust in God the Father
and Christ, especially after having met Christ only a few seconds earlier. Saul had no idea what Jesus might say to him, require of
him, or ask him to do. Saul apparently had no doubts, no questions, no anxiety, no fears, about the instructions he might receive
from Christ. He was willing to trust Jesus with whatever Jesus instructed him to do. The scriptures clearly instruct the believer
to trust God without reservation: Trust [be bold, sure, confident, without anxiety and fear] in the LORD with all thine heart; and
lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). We are to
trust in God with all of our heart: The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my
heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him (Psalms 28:7). The psalmist pronounces, Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is
the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of
the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever. Unto the upright there
ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will
guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall
not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed [certain, established], trusting [be bold, sure, confident, without anxiety and
fear] in the LORD (Psalms 112:1-7). The prophet Isaiah reassures us, In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We
have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth
the truth may enter in. Thou [God] wilt keep him in perfect peace, whole mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee [God]. Trust
ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength (Isaiah 26:1-4).
HUMBLE YOURSELVES IN THE SIGHT OF THE
LORD
Fourth, when Saul asked of Christ, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?, Saul displayed total humility. Only the humble individual
denies his own priorities and will to wholly and obediently pursue the priorities of another. The apostle Paul was willing, and eager,
to pursue Jesus's will and agenda, completely apart from his own. The heavenly Father is against pride. As the apostle James taught,God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble (James 4:6), and Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall
lift you up (James 4:10). The apostle Peter exhorts says, Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt
you in due time (1 Peter 5:6). The opposite of humility is pride, and pride leads to stubbornness and rebellion. Samuel prophesied,Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than
sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king (1 Samuel 15:22-23). Our heavenly Father
hates witchcraft and idolatry. As with Saul, only our humility will open to us the doors of the Kingdom of God and Heaven. In fact,
the scriptures instruct us that salvation and residence in the Kingdom of heaven is not possible without humility. Jesus called a
little child unto him, and set him in the midst of His disciples, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become
as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child,
the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3-4).
DOING THE WILL OF GOD FROM THE HEART
Fifth, when Saul asked
of Christ, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?, Saul indicated the he was willing and ready to be obedient to any and all of the Lord's
words. Within the scriptures, obedience to our fellow man and to Christ is clearly taught. For example, Paul instructed the Ephesian
believers, bond or free, Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness
of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the
heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall
he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free (Ephesians 6:5-8). Saul clearly understood the necessity of doing what Jesus told
him to do. At the wedding of Cana, Jesus' mother also understood the wisdom of obedience to the words of Christ. The scriptures tell
us the story: And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called,
and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith
unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto
you, do it (John 2:1-5). The apostle Paul instructs us to be obedient in all things (2 Corinthians 2:9), while Peter teaches we are
to be As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance (1 Peter 1:14). In fact, the
scriptures often warn that disobedience to the voice and will of God will result in damnation: And it shall be, if thou do at all
forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall
surely perish. As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto
the voice of the LORD your God (Deuteronomy 8:19-20). God also says through Isaiah, If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the
good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it (Isaiah
1:19-20).
CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY WHOM YE WILL SERVE
Sixth, when Saul asked, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?, even though
he had a choice and could have chosen to walk away from Jesus, Saul instantly, willingly, and even eagerly, chose to humbly serve
as a servant, a slave for Jesus.
Scriptures tell us that believers in Christ have a choice about serving: Clearly, no man can
serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye
cannot serve God and mammon [our own desires, i.e., self] (Matthew 6:24). Joshua also instructs us that we must all make a choice
when he prophesies, Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers
served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose
you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods
of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. And the people answered and said, God
forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods [and not God the Father] (Joshua 24:14-16). Christ summarizes, ...he that
is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth
at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth (Luke 22:26-27), and whosoever
of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all (Mark 10:44). As believers in Christ, we should, as the author of the letter
to the Hebrews, ask How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge
your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14), Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the
inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ (Colossians 3:24).
WHOSOEVER WILL LOSE HIS LIFE FOR MY SAKE SHALL FIND IT
Seventh,
when Saul asked, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?, Saul was clearly willing to give his life to God as a sacrifice. Scriptures
teach us that even Christ, a member of the heavenly Trinity, appeared [on earth] to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself (Hebrews
9:26), while Christ, Himself, said, And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came
not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom [an atonement, a redemption price] for many (Mark 10:44-45).
Christ sacrificed himself, and the believer in Christ should as well: Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk
in [sacrificial] love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath [sacrificially] given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to
God for a sweetsmelling savour (Ephesians 5:1-2).
Paul exhorted believers in Rome, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the
mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable [rational, expected] service (Romans
12:1). Jesus told his own disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For
whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited,
if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:24-26). The
disciple or servant of Christ can expect suffering and sacrifice, for Christ teaches us, Remember the word that I said unto you, The
servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they
will keep yours also (John 15:20).
BE STRONG AND OF A GOOD COURAGE, FEAR NOT
Eighth, when Saul asked, Lord, what wilt thou
have me to do?, Saul displayed another characteristic which is necessary in a walk with God: courage. As most of us know, it often
takes courage to walk with God. God may ask us to do something we don't want to do, ask us to leave our family and friends, ask us
to go on an extended fast, ask us to go to a mission field far away, ask us to forgive someone difficult to forgive, or ask us to
witness to a stiff-necked person, group, or nation. Following Christ and His calling and will for our lives often requires great courage,
and the scriptures bear this out. Paul instructed believers in Ephesus, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his
might (Ephesians 6:10). Moses instructed Israel, Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy
God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee (Deuteronomy 31:6), while Joshua similarly exhorted
the nation of Israel, Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the
LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest (Joshua 1:9). David, the psalmist also instructs us, The LORD is my light and my
salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalms 27:1), then adds, Wait on the
LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD (Psalms 27:14). Though Isaiah, God speaks
about our having courage with these words: Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen
thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed
against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. Thou shalt seek
them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing
of nought. For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee (Isaiah 41:10-13). Paul also
instructed the believers in Corinth, Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the
Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58). Abraham obviously had courage. The scriptures
tell us that, By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed;
and he went out, not knowing whither he went (Hebrews 11:8). Not knowing what Jesus might expect of him or command him to do, Saul
somehow found the courage to overcome any anxieties and doubts he had about obediently following the words of Jesus; and thank God
for that.
BELIEVE THAT HE IS, AND THAT HE IS A REWARDER OF
THEM THAT DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM
Ninth, when Saul asked, Lord, what
wilt thou have me to do?, Saul also displayed two final characteristics necessary to walk with God: belief and faith. In order to
follow Jesus and His words, Saul first had to believe that God existed. The scriptures instruct us that without faith it impossible
to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Hebrews
11:6). Jesus also instructed Peter, and us, Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me (John 14:1). Saul
clearly, and instantly, believed that God existed, but he also believed that God was a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him,
and this pleases God.
The scriptures give us a fascinating story which gives us one definition of faith: Now when he had ended
all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him,
was sick, and ready to die. And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come
and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:
For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house,
the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under
my roof: Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed, For I also
am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh;
and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto
the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel (Luke 7:1-:9). Christ here defines
faith as hearing and believing that the words of Christ are true, they will come to pass, and that they will bring life. This centurion
had faith that the words Christ spoke to him were true, would come to pass, and result in healing and life; and because of the centurion's
faith, Jesus Christ healed his son. Jesus elsewhere confirms this connection between the words of Christ and life: It is the spirit
that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are [the movement, operation, and speaking of
the Holy] spirit, and they are [result in] life (John 6:63). Saul obviously believed that God existed, but he also understood and
accepted that the words Jesus spoke to him were of the Spirit, were true, and would bring life; and, as a result, Saul immediately
responded to Jesus' will for his life.
HE IS A CHOSEN VESSEL UNTO ME
Saul heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why
persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. Trembling and astonished,
Saul said to Jesus, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? We asked earlier what personality characteristics Saul displayed in his response
to Jesus.
The answer to this question is that Saul reflected several characteristics that are essential to having a fruitful
relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: Saul sought to follow the words of Jesus, despite his probable lack of
understanding, Saul displayed a submissive spirit, Saul displayed complete trust in Jesus and His heavenly Father, Saul showed total
humility towards Jesus, Saul displayed complete obedience to the will and words of Jesus, Saul was eager to live a life of service
and slavery to and for Jesus, Saul was clearly willing to give his own life in the service of Jesus, Saul also showed a personality
containing tremendous courage, and Saul displayed belief and faith in God the Father, Christ, and the life giving words of Christ.
With
his humble, unquestioning, and obedient response to Jesus, Saul had not only come to suddenly know Jesus, but was also now called
to a lifetime ministry for Christ. As a result, God the Father also changed his name. Saul, the Jewish persecutor of Christ and Christians
had suddenly become Paul, meaning small or humble; Jesus now said of Paul: he is a chosen [specifically selected] vessel [implement,
apparatus, a servant contributing to the usefulness of his master] unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the
children of Israel [the Jews] (Acts 9:15). AMEN.