Introduction: In this passage of scripture, we see the that Paul, formerly known as Saul, is going through his conversion experience before king Agrippa. Paul explains to Him how Jesus Christ appeared to him on the road to Damascus and blinded him. After a conversation between the two, Jesus Christ chose Paul personally and specifically to be a minister and a witness for God vs 16, unto the people and Gentiles vs 17.
Paul then is given five specific things in verse 18, that his ministry is to accomplish.
Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles is to:
1.Open the Eyes of Men– “To open their eyes”. People today are walking around with their eyes closed and to open their eyes is to warn them of the things that may be coming if they don’t open their eyes. Why open the eyes of men? Because Lost People need their Eyes Opened- II Corinthians 4:1-4 Their eyes are closed because the devil doesn’t want them to see the truth found in Jesus Christ. Solution: Tell people about Jesus Christ and His saving Gospel. Because Saved People need their Eyes Opened- Revelation 3:14-17 There is more to life than be rich, increased with good, and have no need. Meanwhile we are lukewarm. Their eyes are closed to spiritual needs that really matter.
2. Turn Men From Darkness to Light– “turn them from darkness to light”. People today are walking in darkness and stumbling all over the place. Why turn men from darkness to light? Because people stumble in the Dark- Proverbs 4:19 “The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble”. Because People’s Deeds are Evil- John 3:19-20 “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil”. Solution: Jesus is the Light- John 8:12 “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I Am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life”.
3. Turn Men From the Power of Satan to God– “from the power of Satan unto God”. Satan today has believers and unbelievers in their power.Because Satan has the power to: tempt, afflict, accuse, sift, beguile, ensnare, and take people captive at his will (like a string puppet).
I Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”.
A Person that goes from the Power of Satan to God, completely changes – Acts 8:1-3, 9:1, 13, 21, 26, 31.
4. To Preach Forgiveness of Sin– “that they may receive forgiveness of sin”. The main reason why Jesus Christ died is to pay and atone for the sins of the World by his death and shedding of blood.
Because Lost People get their sins forgiven when they receive Jesus Christ- II Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him”.
Colossians 1:14 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins”.I Peter 2:24 “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree”.
Because Saved People get their sins forgiven when they confess their sins to God- I John 1:7-9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”.
5. To Preach an Inheritance– “inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me”. An inheritance is a reward given by God to his children. II Corinthians 5:10 “that everyone may receive the things done in his body”. Why preach about God’s Inheritance? Because it shows a Lost Person what he can gain in Jesus Christ- A new glorified body and a mansion in heaven- I Thessalonians 4:17 and John 14:2.
Colossians 3:1 “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on thins above, not on thins on the earth”.
Ephesians 5:5 “For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God”.
Conclusion: This ministry that Paul was given was specific to him however, every believer today can minister to a lost or saved person in this exact manner. You too can open the eyes of men, turn men from darkness to light, turn men from the power of Satan to God, preach forgiveness of sins, and preach about God Inheritance.
Anchor Baptist Church 