The Last, Unexpected Disciple

   Jesus had personally chosen His inner circle of 12 disciples. He trained them for three years -- for kingdom work following His ascension back to heaven.

   This was the commissioning these disciples (minus Judas) received just prior to Christ’s ascension. Jesus said to them -- “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;  and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  (Acts 1:8)

   Indeed that power was conveyed on those disciples. They would now become apostles (eye witnesses of Jesus who would proclaim His name). On Pentecost the early church had its beginning with 3000 new converts in one day (2:41).

   Now the real work would begin for those apostles. It proved to be very productive as the Holy Spirit moved among these leaders and the people in Jerusalem. The daily preaching was leading to exponential growth in the church.

   Jesus had one more disciple/apostle He would add to the Twelve. This would be a most unexpected choice (which could also be said of the original disciples).

   We find the story of this intentional encounter between Jesus and this last disciple in Acts 9. Here we find Saul, the passionate Pharisee, whose primary mission had become the persecution of any who dared to declare their allegiance to Christ. Jesus came with a “light from heaven” ...