Acts 9
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Supernatural Power
Supernatural Power
1. Saul himself: his pre-conversion state in Jerusalem (9:1–2)
If we ask what caused Saul’s conversion, only one answer is possible. What stands out from the narrative is the sovereign grace of God through Jesus Christ. Saul did not ‘decide for Christ’, as we might say. On the contrary, he was persecuting Christ. It was rather Christ who decided for him and intervened in his life. The evidence for this is indisputable.
Consider first Saul’s state of mind at the time. Luke has already mentioned him three times, and each time as a bitter opponent of Christ and his church. He tells us that at Stephen’s martyrdom ‘the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul’ (7:58), that ‘Saul was there, giving approval to his death’ (8:1), and that then ‘Saul began to destroy the church’ (8:3), making a house-to-house search for Christians, dragging men and women off to prison. Now Luke resumes Saul’s story by saying that he was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples (9:1). He had not changed since Stephen’s death; he was still in the same mental condition of hatred and hostility.
Stott, J. R. W. (1994). The message of Acts: the Spirit, the church & the world (p. 168). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
The ministry of Christ was a miracle ministry. He came to destroy the works of the devil. He came to overcome sin and sickness. He showed a concern for both the soul and the body. He still performs miracles; salvation is a miracle—, . Paul spoke of people having a form of godliness, but denying its power—. Jesus promised signs and wonders—, .
9. PARDON—
I. THE PARDON—vv. 1–9
A. Suffering—vv. 1–2. Saul enjoyed persecuting Christians. He wanted to destroy all Christians.
B. Surrender—vv. 3–6. Saul meets Christ. A light from heaven shines as he is thrown to the ground. He asks, “What wilt thou have me to do?” This surrender to God made him one of the greatest of preachers.
C. Surprise—v. 7. The men with Saul stood speechless—hearing a voice but seeing no one.
D. Sightless—vv. 8–9. For three days Saul was blind and fasted.
II. THE PLAN—vv. 10–19
A. Person—vv. 10–14. Ananias (not to be confused with Ananias in ) was told to go and see Saul of Tarsus. Ananias was fearful, having heard how Saul persecuted and killed Christians.
B. Plan—vv. 15–16. Saul was God’s chosen vessel to spread His Word.
C. Power—vv. 17–19. God worked through Ananias to have Paul healed and filled with the Holy Spirit.
III. THE PREACHING—vv. 20–25
A. Christ—v. 20. Paul preached Christ in the synagogues. He preached that Jesus was the Son of God.
B. Character—vv. 21–22. They see a change in Paul’s character. Note: He grew in the Lord.
C. Contempt—vv. 23–25. Jews sought a way to silence Paul. They seek to kill him. He escapes over the wall in a basket.
IV. THE PROOF—vv. 26–31
A. Fear—v. 26. The people fear Paul, feeling he was a fake.
B. Faith—vv. 27–28. Barnabas assured the Christians that Paul was a Christian and encouraged the people to accept him.
C. Fellowship—vv. 29–31. The Christians grew in faith, in God, and in numbers. Again others seek to kill Paul.
V. THE POWER—vv. 32–35
A. Problem—vv. 32–33. A man sick with palsy for eight years is healed.
B. Power—vv. 34–35. Peter prays and the man (Aeneas) is healed. The people see it and turn to God.
VI. THE PERFECTION—vv. 36–43
A. Death—vv. 36–37. Dorcas, who was active in the church, dies.
B. Desires—vv. 38–39. They desire to have Peter come. All were sad, since Dorcas did much for the church.
C. Divine—vv. 40–41. Peter prays and Dorcas comes back to life.
D. Decisions—vv. 42–43. Many turn to Christ. Peter stays in Joppa.
I. The Power—vv. 32–35
A. People—v. 32. Peter comes to the saints at Lydda. Saints are people, born-again by the power of God. Lydda was twenty-three miles northeast of Jerusalem.
B. Problem—v. 33. Aeneas was sick with palsy for eight years.
C. Perfection—v. 34. Peter tells Aeneas to be healed in the name of Jesus. He arose and was healed. See .
D. Power—v. 35. All the people in Saron, where Lydda was located, turned unto the Lord. This healing took place to bring honor and glory to God. God does heal today. Healing was provided by Christ on the cross—, . See also .
II. The Problem—vv. 36–41
A. Person—v. 36. Dorcas who lived in Joppa was filled with good works. Joppa was a seaport about thirty-five miles northeast of Jerusalem.
B. Problem—v. 37. Dorcas becomes ill and dies.
C. People—vv. 38–39. Two men visit Peter and ask him to come to Joppa. Peter leaves Lydda and goes to Joppa.
D. Prayer—v. 40. Peter stays alone in the room with Dorcas, praying for her.
E. Power—v. 41. Dorcas comes to life through Peter’s prayer.
III. The Publicity—vv. 42–43
A. Results—v. 42. Dorcas went back to the work of helping people after she came to life. Many people saw it, and many believed.
1. God’s power convicts men of their sin.
2. God’s power convinces men to give up their sin.
3. God’s power converts men from their sin.
B. Residence—v. 43. Peter remained in the city for many days with Simon, the tanner.
God gives His power to man for a purpose. His power is given that it may be used to bring honor and glory unto the Lord. There are those whom God blesses who misuse His power, and even become proud of the works they perform. As the result of this, they lose God’s power from their lives. We should pray and expect God to do great things through our lives—, .
Pentz, C. M. (1978). Sermon Outlines from Acts (pp. 30–31). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.