Meanwhile (Happening at the same time) …

Acts 9:1 (NIV) – MEANWHILE, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest

Our focus is chapter nine of the book of Acts. The chapter begins with the word, meanwhile. That suggests a continuation of something being said. That is why we have to go back to the end of chapter eight, in order to understand the beginning of chapter nine.

In the year 1205, Stephen Langton the Archbishop of Canterbury introduced the chapters we now use in the Bible. The original writers of the Bible did not use chapters. Therefore the writer of the book of Acts did not have chapter eight and nine as we have it today, it was just a continuous narrative.

Around the year 1470 a Biblical scholar, Santes Pagnino, introduced use of verses, but his system of verses wasn’t widely accepted. In 1550s, Robert Estienne aka Robertus Stephanus, aka Robert Stephens, a French Printer, who owned Estienne Print Shop, introduced the verses as we now know them in the Bible. By the year 1560 the Geneva Bible became the first complete Bible with Chapters and verses as we know it today. The chapters and verses were not the work of the original Bible writers, but nevertheless a very important invention that made Bible study easy.

The inventions by Langton and Estienne are a proof that insisting on only original, doesn’t make original the best. Someone from another faith different from yours can still come up with an invention that will help you in your faith. The introduction of chapters and verses have been a blessing to all Bible students since then.

Acts 8:40 – 9:1 (NIV) – 8:40 Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea. 9:1 MEANWHILE, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest

Our study of Acts chapter nine is a continuation of Acts chapter eight. Acts chapter eight ends by telling us about the successful spread of the gospel led by Philip. Meanwhile (happening at the same time), Saul who later became Apostle Paul, was busy persecuting the church to stop the spread of the gospel.

The church was succeeding on one hand and at the same time suffering persecution on the other. Contrasting situations facing the same church. Enjoy success and suffering persecution. That is how life is!

Enjoying success in school and meanwhile facing lack of basic needs at home. Having all material resources but meanwhile lonely or unhappily married. Excelling in everything one does, but meanwhile struggling with poor health. Meanwhile (happening at the same time) is a true reference to the contrast we face in life.

 Acts chapter nine tells us that as the church succeeded, it also, at the same time suffered persecution. What is happening to you in the meanwhile? What opposites are defining your life? What is succeeding and what is meanwhile causing you a heartache? Meanwhile (happening at the same time) is a true reference to the contrast we face in life.

Acts 9:1-4 (NIV) – 1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

There is another unwritten meanwhile in Acts chapter nine. As Saul was busy persecuting the church without restraint, something was happening in the meanwhile, so to speak. God was planning to confront Saul on his way to Damascus, and end his persecution campaign and turn him into a preacher of the same gospel he opposed.

The church suffered persecution by Saul that seemed unstoppable, but meanwhile (happening at the same time) God planned to end that persecution spree by confronting Saul on the way to Damascus. Saul opposed the preaching that was successfully done by Philip and others, meanwhile, God was executing a plan to make Saul a partner of Philip.

As you suffer on the one hand, remember that meanwhile (happening at the same time) God is executing a solution to your suffering. There is a God acting on both sides. In all situations, don’t give up, there is a meanwhile, unknown to you God is introducing a solution to your contrasting situation.

Acts 9:9-12 (NIV) – 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. 10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

As Saul arrived in Damascus, now a blindman because of the encounter with God, meanwhile God was preparing Ananias to go and preach to Saul and baptize him. Unknown to Paul, it was happening. The meanwhile concept teaches us that, when we experience one thing, there is another unknown thing happening at the same time, initiated by God, in our favor.

Acts 9:13-16 (NIV) – 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

Ananias tells God that Saul is dangerous to the church and has a bad reputation. God tells Ana is that in the meanwhile (happening at the same time) He has converted Saul to serve Him. The rumors say Saul is bad, meanwhile God has made him good and useful. We all know him as opposing the truth, meanwhile God is making this opposer to be the greatest supporter of the truth. We thank God for what He does in the meanwhile!

Saul was dangerous to the church, but meanwhile God was making him a great comfort and supporter of the church. What is negatively happening in your spiritual life? Have faith that God is doing something meanwhile. What is the negative of your academic struggles? Have faith that God has a meanwhile situation for you. What is happening in your relationship and marriage? God is doing something meanwhile. Even your health today has a divine meanwhile happening somewhere in your favor!

Dear God, thank you for the meanwhile. We pray that we will have faith that You are acting in our favor in the meanwhile. May our negative situations and stories have a meanwhile of Your gracious intervention, in Jesus name, Amen!

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