Lesson 13 : The Conversion & Early Preaching of Saul and More Miracles of Peter (9:1-43)

1. Please pick up a handout from the table in the back of the auditorium for class this morning. Lesson 13:The Conversion & Early Preaching of Saul and More Miracles of Peter (9:1-43)

2. I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Continually persecuting the disciples, Saul headed to Damascus to arrest more (9:1-9). • Damascus was about 140 miles northeast of Jerusalem, about one week travel. • Around noon (22:6), a light brighter than the sun (26:13) shone around him (9:3). • Jesus, risen and exalted, appeared to Saul in that light (9:17, 27; cf. 1 Cor. 9:1; 15:8). • Saul was helped by his travel companions into the city of Damascus (9:7-9).

3. II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • “The Way” was a common designation for N.T. Christians (9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22). • The singularity (with the definitive article) emphasized their exclusive & united nature. • N.T. Christians were “the Way” (there wasn’t another, 9:2), following Jesus who is “the Way” (John 14:6), and walking on “the way which leads to life” (Matt. 7:14). • That “the Way” could be sought & found emphasized that Christians were identifiable. • Christ and the church are inseparably and intimately tied together! • By opposing/persecuting Christians, Saul was opposing/persecuting Christ (9:4-5, 13). • To act against Christ’s church is to act against Christ Himself (cf. Luke 10:16). • Therefore, it is evident that one cannot separate Christ from His body/church.

4. II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • Prayerdoes not save an alien sinner from his sins! • In a state of deep penitence, Saul fasted and prayed for three days (9:9, 11). • The Lord knew of Saul’s disposition, but He still sent a gospel preacher (9:11-16). • When the gospel preacher arrived, Saul still had his sins (22:16). Prayer did not save! • Baptism is a “must” for salvation! • Jesus told Saul that in the city he would be told what he “must do” (9:6). • Therefore, whatever Saul was told to do in Damascus was a “must” from God! • In the city, Saul was told to “arise and be baptized and wash away your sins” (22:16).

5. II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • Saul of Tarsus was NOT converted to Christ and saved on the road to Damascus! • Not saved when Jesus appeared to him, for he asked, “Who are You, Lord?” • Not saved when Jesus told who He was, for he asked, “What do you want me to do?” • Not saved when Jesus told him what to do, “You will be told what you must do.” • Not saved while fasting & praying in the city, for his question not answered yet and gospel not preached yet. • Not saved before Ananias preached to him, “Be baptized and wash away your sins.” • Not saved before he was baptized, otherwise saved from sins before washed away!

6. I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Saul heard the Word of God, received his sight and was baptized into Christ (9:10-19). • The Lord sent Ananias to preach to Saul (9:10-16). • Ananias knew of the evil Saul had done & planned to do to the “saints” (9:13-14). • The Lord identified Saul as His “chosen vessel” to the Gentiles (9:15-16). • Ananias laid his hands on Saul that he might receive his sight (9:12, 17-18). • Immediately Saul was baptized to wash away his sins (9:18; 22:16).

7. I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Saul immediately began to preach the gospel and was persecuted as a result (9:20-30). • Saul continuously preached the deity of Jesus, a message he once persecuted (9:20). • The Jews in Damascus plotted to kill him, so disciples helped him escape (9:23-25). • It had been 3 years since he left Jerusalem (Gal. 1:18), but he was still feared (9:26). • Barnabas intervened, taking him to Peter & James (Jesus’ half-bro) (9:27; Gal. 1:19). • Saul remained in Jerusalem with Peter for 15 days (9:28; Gal. 1:18). • Hellenists in Jerusalem tried to kill Saul, so the disciples helped him escape (9:29-30). • Saul went to his home in Syria and Cilicia (Tarsus was capital of Cilicia) (Gal. 1:21-22).

8. II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • Strong, direct and hard-hitting preaching is often needed and expected by the Lord. • Saul heralded continually (9:20); then logically argued, providing evidence (9:22); preached boldly, telling it like it is (9:27, 29); and even disputing/debating (9:29). • The response of those who did not like his message is also indicative of its force.

9. I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Persecution against the church subsided for a while and it kept on multiplying (9:31). • To prepare readers for chapter 10, two miracles of Peter were highlighted (9:32-43). • In Lydda, Peter healed Aeneas, a paralytic who “arose immediately” (9:32-35). • In Joppa, Peter raised Tabitha from the dead (9:36-42). • In Joppa, Peter stayed with Simon a tanner, which seems significant (9:43).

10. II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • The conversions in Acts 9 each used a different word to describe when they were saved. • The people of Joppa “believed on the Lord” (9:42); the people of Lydda “turned to the Lord” (9:35); Saul of Tarsus “arose and was baptized” (9:18). • Using synecdoche, each conversion mentions a part of what they did to represent the whole of what they did. Complete obedience was required in each case.

11. III. Practical Points of Application for Our Lives • May those who are “of the Way” so live that we can be recognized as “of the Way”! • Let us realize that if Saul of Tarsus could be converted then anyone can be converted! • As Saul preached immediately, may we preach the gospel message we obeyed ourselves! • May we be like Barnabas and bring brethren together rather than driving wedges! • When we “walk in the fear of the Lord,” we can “enjoy peace” and be “built up” (9:31)! • May we, like Tabitha, busy ourselves with an abundance of good works and kind deeds!