To use our old-fashioned Bible terminology, Acts chapter 16 presents us with the stories of two people being “saved.”
Let me show you want I mean.
First, as Paul and Silas and Timothy and even Luke minister (preaching the Word) unto the Lord in the City of Philippi … “A certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: WHOSE HEART THE LORD OPENED, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.” Acts 16:14-15
Watch the wording, “whose heart the Lord opened.” That means, in my estimation, she was born-again!
The other salvation story involved a Philippian jailor. In Luke’s divinely inspired terminology: “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.” Acts 16:25-32
Two undoubtedly true accounts of people trusting our Lord Jesus Christ! Their very names being written down in Heaven! (As per Luke 10:20.)
Now … watch the interesting differences in the Holy Spirit’s “operation” in these two souls.
Here’s a profound Lesson in soul-winning …
The first story involved a woman, the second a man!
The first story emphasizes God’s Part in salvation … “the Lord opening her heart!” The second story focuses on man’s part, “believing unto salvation!” It takes both!
The first story is of someone wealthy, a seller of purple, a top dollar commodity! The second story is of a common, poor man who was merely a “pawn” for the Roman government!
The first salvation depiction was a rather quiet scene! Down by the riverside, peaceful communication, the Holy Spirit working in His often subdued manner, with “a still quiet voice.” The second … loud and boisterous (an earthquake, prison bars dislodged), even with a man threatening suicide!
In Lydia’s case, the soul-winners went to her. In the jailor’s case, he came running to the soul sinners!
Yet, with all these differences, and there may be more than I’ve noticed …
The same God!
The same Holy Spirit!
The same plan of salvation!
The same preachers, in fact!
I’d even say the same level of conviction!
And of course, the same Saviour! (There is no other Way!)
Wow!
Yes indeed … “He that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30, yet with our great God … He cannot be limited, restricted … concerning HOW He brings a man (or woman) to Christ!
Hallelujah!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
When YOU were saved, was it a quiet experience or a loud one? Either answer can be proper … but do be sure you have an answer!
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