Acts: 8:5-17 Act 18:5 And when Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.
Act 18:9 And the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, Do not be afraid, but speak, and be not silent.
Act 18:10 For I am with you, and no one shall set on you to hurt you, for I have many people in this city.
We always see Paul as a strong Christian always leading the way. But if we really looked we would see he is just like us. He was pressed in the Spirit because the Lord knew he was afraid to speak knowing the Jews always want to hurt him every time he tells them Jesus is the Messiah. So the Lord doesn’t speak directly to him but comes in a dream to speak to him. Now why doesn’t he just speak to him in prayer? Because the Lord knows Paul does not want to do what the Lord is asking because he has fear in his heart. Just like us when God puts us in a tight spot and asks us to speak things to people at inopportune times. He was just as afraid as we are and it takes the Lord to calm & strengthen his heart just like ours and say don’t worry. The Lord has to tell him people won’t hurt you to get him to speak. That is the same Paul who said, 2Ti 4:16 At my first answer no one was beside me, but all deserted me. May it not be laid to their charge.
2Ti 4:17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, that through me the preaching might be fulfilled, and that all the nations might hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
This same Paul was as scared as the folks who forsook him, the only difference was the Lord spoke to him in a dream to helped calm him down to do those things the Lord desired.
How about all the converted that we think happened in 1 day whenever Paul spoke. We always think every one fell down and worshipped God. But not all were easily moved.
Act 26:24 As Paul was defending himself in this way, Festus shouted, “Paul, you’re crazy! Too much education is driving you crazy!”
Act 26:25 Paul replied, “I’m not crazy, Your Excellency Festus. What I’m saying is true and sane.
Act 26:26 I can easily speak to a king who knows about these things. I’m sure that none of these things has escaped his attention. None of this was done secretly.
Act 26:27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you believe them!”
Act 26:28 Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think you can quickly persuade me to become a Christian?”
He didn’t persuade this king as quickly. He thought Paul was pushing Christ and thought it silly that he might think that Paul would convert him in 1 simple speech. How ever Paul did try. Sounds like the same things we run into everyday too.
