Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 7/31/2008

Question
We are studying the book of Acts in our Sunday school class.  When we came across Acts 9:5 and it said " it's hard to kick against the goads".  I would like to know what this was implying in reference to Saul.  I know a goad is a tool for prodding or urging an animal to move.  It can be someone goading another to take a certain kind of action.  When Jesus said "it is hard to kick against the goads", what was goading Saul?  I've heard it said that Saul was having thoughts against his persecuting Christians.  Where is the indication for this assumption?
Can you help me to clear this up in my mind?  I appreciate anything you can give me.
Thanks for your time.

Answer
Hi David,

Thank you for this great question.   Everywhere that the gospel was preached in Jerusalem, the death of Jesus was mentioned, and the Jews were blamed for it.  The pharisees were particularly guilty for setting Jesus up.  Every time Paul would hear that, he would try to resist the truth that he was actually in the wrong.  It all came to a head when Stephen preached a long message then concluded it with a very pointed rebuke.  Paul was in that crowd when Stephen said this:

Act 7:51  Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
Act 7:52  Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:
Act 7:53  Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
Act 7:54  When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
Act 7:55  But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
Act 7:56  And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
Act 7:57  Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
Act 7:58  And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.


I believe that Paul was under conviction for a while before he finally surrendered to Jesus.  We know that he fully surrendered when He called Jesus LORD.

Act 9:5  And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
Act 9:6  And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.


I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don