Acts, Chapter 9

1
Lesson 17

• Acts, Chapter 9

2
Time Frame (Acts 9)

• Pauls conversion (Acts 9)
• A reference back to Lesson 3 reveals that we have
  placed the conversion of Paul to approximately 34
  AD
• Note Chapter 8, began a new division of the
  book (The dispersion of Christians)
• Here in Chapter 9, we meet Saul, who becomes the
  central figure of the rest of the book of Acts

3
Saul the Persecutor

• Introduced in Acts 758, a young man named
  Saul. (81), Now Saul was consenting to his
  Stephens death.
• Verses which speak of Sauls early life
• Acts 758 Acts 81
• Acts 91-30 (Conversion and early Ministry)
• Acts 223-21 (Birth to Conversion)
• Acts 264-20 (Youth to Conversion)
• Galatians 111-21 (Calling and early ministry)

4
Sauls Experience on the Road to Damascus (vs.
1-9) 1

• Purpose of trip (vs. 1-2)
• Notice the nature of Sauls zeal breathing
  threats and slaughter. (cf. 1 Timothy 112-13)

5
1 Timothy 112-13

• And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has
  enabled me, because He counted me faithful,
  putting me into the ministry, 13 although I was
  formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an
  insolent man but I obtained mercy because I did
  it ignorantly in unbelief.

6
Sauls Experience on the Road to Damascus (vs.
1-9) 1

• Purpose of trip (vs. 1-2)
• Notice the nature of Sauls zeal breathing
  threats and slaughter. (cf. 1 Timothy 112-13)
• Lord Appeared to Him (vs. 3-4)
• A light shone from heaven (3)
• Voice spoke to him (Jesus) (4)
• Paul was blinded (cf. 8)
• His companions heard a voice, but saw no one (7)

7
Sauls Experience on the Road to Damascus (vs.
1-9) 2

• Jesus conversation with Saul (4-6)
• Purpose? NOT to save him. Arise and go into
  the city, and you will be told what you must do
  (cf. 6)
• Rather, to identify Himself as the risen Lord,
  that Saul might be a witness of His resurrection!
  I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. (cf. 5)
• Cf. 1 Corinthians 158-11

8
1 Corinthians 158-11

• Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by
  one born out of due time. 9 For I am the least of
  the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an
  apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
  10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and
  His grace toward me was not in vain but I
  labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I,
  but the grace of God which was with me. 11
  Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach
  and so you believed.

9
Sauls Experience on the Road to Damascus (vs.
1-9) 3

• Saul goes into Damascus (7-9)
• Saul was struck blind.
• The mighty persecutor of Christians had now been
  humbled. He was led, blind and convicted as a
  sinner, into the city to await instructions from
  the very one He had determined to destroy.
• His manner was one of penitence, as he awaited
  instruction (9)

10
Saul and Ananias (vs. 10-19) 1

• The Lords Instruction to Ananias (10-16)
• Ananias just a disciple. A devout worker for
  God. No indication of any special standing.
  (Good Lesson for Us)
• Again, regarding conversion, the Lord appeared to
  the messenger, not the one in need of salvation
• (cf. Romans 1014-15)

11
Romans 1014-15

• How then shall they call on Him in whom they
  have not believed? And how shall they believe in
  Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall
  they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall
  they preach unless they are sent? As it is
  written "How beautiful are the feet of those who
  preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad
  tidings of good things!"

12
Saul and Ananias (vs. 10-19) 2

• The Lords Instruction to Ananias (10-16)
• This parallels the conversion of Cornelius
  closely
• Sauls instructions were to wait for the preacher
  (as was Cornelius)
• Ananias instructions were to go preach
• Ananias was cautious (noted Sauls past as a
  persecutor (13-14)
• Jesus He is a chosen vessel of mine (15) (cf.
  1 Corinthians 159-10)

13
1 Corinthians 159-10

• For I am the least of the apostles, who am not
  worthy to be called an apostle, because I
  persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace
  of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me
  was not in vain but I labored more abundantly
  than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God
  which was with me.

14
Saul and Ananias (vs. 10-19) 3

• The Lords Instruction to Ananias (10-16)
• Apostle to the Gentiles. (15) (cf. Acts 1512)
• Would have to suffer (16) (cf. 2 Corinthians
  1123-28)
• Ananias Meets Saul (17-19)
• Also note (Acts 2212-16, Pauls address to
  Jerusalem mob)
• Miraculous healing of Blindness (18)

15
Saul and Ananias (vs. 10-19) 4

• Ananias Meets Saul (17-19)
• Saul arose, and was baptized immediately upon the
  healing of his blindness (18)
• Note Saul was baptized in response to Ananias
  words, telling him what he must do (cf. vs. 6)
• What did Ananias say? cf. Acts 2216

16
Acts 2216

• And now why are you waiting? Arise and be
  baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the
  name of the Lord.

17
Saul and Ananias (vs. 10-19) 4

• Ananias Meets Saul (17-19)
• Saul arose, and was baptized immediately upon the
  healing of his blindness (18)
• Note Saul was baptized in response to Ananias
  words, telling him what he must do (cf. vs. 6)
• What did Ananias say? cf. Acts 2216
• After his baptism, Sauls period of mourning was
  over (19)

18
Saul Preaches Christ (vs. 20-25) 1

• Saul Began Preaching Immediately (20-22)
• Was inspired of God (cf. Gal. 115-24)
• His witness was amazing because of who he was.
• His preaching in Damascus was effective (22)
• Saul spent three years in Arabia and at Damascus
• We can best insert this period of time at verse
  23, after many days harmonizing with Pauls
  statement in Galatians 1

19
Galatians 115-18

• But when it pleased God, who separated me from my
  mother's womb and called me through His grace, 16
  to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him
  among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer
  with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to
  Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me
  but I went to Arabia, and returned again to
  Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to
  Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him
  fifteen days.

20
Saul Preaches Christ (vs. 20-25) 2

• Saul was persecuted in Damascus (23-25)
• First of many examples (cf. 2 Cor. 1122-33)
• It was not safe for Saul to leave the city by the
  gates, as they lay in wait for him there (24)
• Saul escaped with his life when they let him down
  from a window in a basket (25)

21
Saul at Jerusalem (vs. 26-31) 1

• Saul Joins Church (26-28)
• Local church membership (by its nature) is
  determined by man
• Initially, Saul was refused, then accepted at the
  testimony of Barnabas (26-27)
• We do not have the right to deny one God receives
  (3 John 9)
• We do not have the right to accept one that God
  denies (1 Corinthians 5)
• Local membership is important!

22
Saul at Jerusalem (vs. 26-31) 2

• Saul Preaches Boldly (20-30)
• Note the nature of Sauls preaching disputed
  against the Hellenists
• Continual threats against his life as an apostle
• Saul left Jerusalem after two weeks (cf.
  Galatians 115-18)
• The Church Prospers (31)
• Growth came because of peace and edification

23
Aeneas Healed (vs. 32-35) 1

• Verses 31-43 detail a period of peaceful growth
• Peter Heals Aeneas (32-35)
• Peter remained in the area of Judea (all parts
  of the country cf. vs. 31) all through the times
  of persecution.
• Aeneas paralyzed for eight years, healed by Peter
• Note that Peter gives Christ the glory Jesus the
  Christ heals you (36)
• Brought faith to witnesses

24
Lydda located 20 miles NW of Jerusalem and 10 or
12 miles southeast of Joppa. Joppa a seaport town
35 miles NW of Jerusalem
Joppa
Lydda
25
Dorcas Restored to Life (vs. 36-43) 1

• Dorcas was a godly woman (36)
• Full of good works and charitable deeds
• She died, and the disciples sent for Peter
  (37-38)
• Widows testified to her goodness.
• Peter raised her from the dead (39-43)
• Many believed on the Lord because of this miracle
• Peter remained in Joppa (43)