Bible Study on Acts 9:1-31
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· 903 viewsThe life of PAul
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Introduction
Do you know anyone hostile toward Christianity? In our day it is not unusual for us to have neighbors, co-workers, and even family members who are hostile toward Christianity. While this can be disheartening, we need to remember that the Lord knows how to capture the hearts of those opposed to Him as He did with Saul. The man we know as the Apostle Paul (Saul was his Hebrew name while Paul was his Greek name) was introduced in Acts 7:58 where he oversaw the stoning martyrdom of Stephen. In the related passage of Acts 26:9-11,
· Saul recounted that viewed Christianity as opposing the Jewish religion.
· Raised as a devout Jew and trained as a Pharisee,
· Saul eagerly pursued a program of persecution against believers. context of Acts 8:1-4 explains that this persecution caused many believers to move to Jerusalem, taking the gospel message with them wherever they went. Jesus had commissioned the believers to spread the testimony about Him from Jerusalem to the uttermost parts of the earth (Acts 1:8).
· Persecution was one of the means the Lord to scatter the believers from Jerusalem.
In this quarter, we will see how the early church began taking the gospel to the Gentiles through the Apostle Paul's ministry his first two missionary journeys.
In Acts 9:1-31, Luke recorded the events which changed Saul from a persecutor of the gospel into a preacher of the gospel. Notice the contrast between Saul attempting to slaughter the believers (9:1), and, after Saul's conversion, the churches rest (9:31). As you work through this study, let it encourage you to continue to pray that the Lord would reveal Himself to those who are hostile toward Him.
LAST WEEK:
One: Saul Arrested by Jesus (9:1-9)
a. Saul's Plans of Persecution (9:1-2)
As persecution scattered the believers, some made their way to Damascus.
key word yet or still in 9:1 ties this back to Acts 8:1-4 where Saul led the persecution of believers.
The word shows that Saul was not satisfied with the persecution remaining in Jerusalem.
He was determined to stop the gospel message spreading.
The key phrase "breathing out threatenings and slaughter" (9: 1),
Displays Saul's outrage against the believers.
This was not a mild threat.
He would go whatever lengths necessary to carry out his plans, Saul asked the high priest for letters authorizing him to apprehend any believers he found in Damascus (9:2).
The key "any this way" (9:2)
Saul planned to apprehend "any this way" (9:2), reference to the followers of Christ is found in several related passages in Acts (19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22).
This Week:
The Lord's Revelation of Himself (9:3-9)
To this point, Saul had been the one acting upon others.
He led the stoning of Stephen.
He persecuted the believers in Jerusalem.
He planned a trip to Damascus.
Shined round about him a light from heaven.
As he neared his destination, suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven (9:3).
In the Old Testament, God sometimes appeared to His people in the form of a brilliant light (Exodus 3:2, 13:21-22, 40:38).
The writer of Hebrews referred to Jesus as the "brightness of [God's] glory" (Hebrews 1:3).
o Question
o DOSE GOD STILL APPEAR TO US TODAY?
o IF YES WHY AND HOW?
o IF NO WHY
Let us compare the Effect of God appearing to Saul and what we see around us today.
Around us today.
Self-glory, lies, Or that is aggression, pride etc
Saul:
This brightness caused Saul to fall on his face (9:4).
Paul submitted, humble, Helpless
Surrendered total to God
Gave up his old ways
Followed Christ instructions immediately
(2 Corinthians 4:6). Saul said that God "hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ"
This heavenly vision not only stopped Saul and changed his life, but it also assures believers of the truth of Jesus's resurrection, ascension, and deity.
Saul responded immediately to Jesus's command (9:6).
He recognized the Lord's authority
He no longer kicked against the goad,
Submitted to this One he had sought to destroy.
Getting up blind, his companions led him to Damascus where he awaited the Lord's instructions for three days without eating or drinking (9:7-9).
Application:
1. This example of God's power to capture hard hearts should encourage us to persevere in praying for those who now refuse to submit to Christ.
2. Pray that the evidence of our conversion will draw men to Christ.
Next Week
Part Two: Saul Instructed by Ananias (9:10-25)
A. The Lord's Message to Ananias (9:10-16)
After confronting Saul, Jesus appeared to a believer named Ananias who lived in Damascus (9:10). This otherwise unknown disciple helped Saul take his first steps as a believer. Ananias's example reminds us that sometimes our greatest accomplishments are helping others become what God has called them to be.
Appearing to Ananias, Jesus addressed him with specific directions about wh Saul was and where he could be found (9:11-12). The disciples in Damascus knew well Saul's violent reputation—even to the point that they knew he was on his way to persecute them (9:13-14). Jesus responded to Ananias's concern, explaining that Saul was a "chosen vessel or chosen instrument." This key phrase signifies that Jesus had appointed Saul to carry out a specific task—to bear His name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel (9:15). Luke includes the repeated word, name six times in our passage (9:14, 15, 16, 21, 27, 29. To do something "in the name of" a person me to do it under their authority. Saul had traveled to Damascus under the authority Of the chief priest. He would carry the gospel message to the world under the authority Jesus. Acts indicates how fully Saul accomplished this task. At the same time, howev Jesus made it clear that the accomplishment of this task would be at great personal c and much suffering. Too often we are willing to do great things for Christ if it does not involve suffering—or even too much inconvenience. Jesus's example of suffering (1 Peter 2:21) and Saul's willingness to suffer (2 Timothy 1:12) should challenge us to embrace God's call even if it means we will endure suffering for the Lord's name (2 Timothy 3:12). This kind of submission to Christ's commands comes when we truly recognize Jesus as the Lord over our entire life.
B. Saul's New Message (9: 17-25)
After finding Saul, Ananias prayed for him. Saul immediately received his sight, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and was baptized (9:17-19). The drastic change in Saul was evident to all. He spent time with the disciples in Damascus and began proclaiming the truth that Jesus is the Son of God (9:20). While the phrase, son of God or sons ofGod, can refer to believers (John 1:12) or even angels (Job 1:6), when referring to Jesus it proclaims His deity, that is, that He is truly God (John 5:19-23; 10:31-39; Hebrews 1:1-8).
The related passage in Galatians 1:15-18 shows that Saul stayed in Damascus for at least three years, part of which was in the Arabian Desert. Saul's spiritual growth during this time became clear to all who heard him. His early training in the Jewish religion gave him a thorough understanding of their Scriptures (our Testament). He now understood that these Scriptures pointed to and were fulfilled in Jesus—the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament (9:21-22).
The Jews of Damascus soon determined that they must silence Saul, so they formulated plans to kill him (9:23). When their scheme was made known, the disciples helped Saul escape by lowering him over the wall in a basket (9:24-25).
Part Three: Saul Endorsed by Barnabas (9:26-31)
A. Jerusalem Believers Suspicious of Saul (9:26)
Leaving Damascus, Saul traveled back to Jerusalem for the first time since he had left, more than three years earlier. Everyone in Jerusalem knew that he would do anything possible to destroy what many of the Jews considered a new and false religion. Therefore, when Saul attempted to join the disciples in Jerusalem, they responded with unbelief and fear (9:26). Notice the contrast between Saul and the disciples. He was assaying (attempting) to join them while they were responding with fear.
The Jerusalem disciples succumbed to the same kind of error that we face. They would quickly testify to the Lord's sovereign power, having seen Him do the impossible many times before. Now, however, they questioned whether Saul could be a believer. Did they question this because it seemed too good to be true? Or were they afraid that this was a ruse which was meant to deceive them? Either way, they doubted that his conversion was real.
B. Barnabas Stands Up for Saul (9:27-31)
In response, Barnabas stepped up to endorse Saul (9:27). Barnabas was well known to the Jerusalem church, having sacrificed to meet the needs of her members (Acts 4:36-37). Barnabas's reputation earned him his name, which means "Son of Consolation" or "Son of Encouragement." This same desire to stand for those in need would be seen later when Barnabas stood up for John Mark (Acts 15:36-41).
Barnabas testified to Saul's conversion and to how this conversion him to proclaim boldly the gospel message. With Barnabas's support, the apostles welcomed Saul and he continued his ministry in Jerusalem, again boldly preaching the message of Christ. This message, however, was not well-received by all who were in Jerusalem. Soon the Grecians or Hellenists began opposing Saul's message (9:2829). These Hellenists, were Greek-speaking Jews. Jews in and around Jerusalem would have spoken Aramaic (a language similar to Hebrew) as their first language while Jews from outside Judea would have spoken Greek as their first language. These two cultural groups were both within Judaism (as also within the early church—see Acts 6:1). Luke identified these Greek-speaking Jews as those from whom Saul received opposition. They attempted to kill him (9:29).
Saul's ministry in Jerusalem was short because of this plot (9:29). In Galatians 1:18 he reflected that he only stayed in Jerusalem for fifteen days. The disciples helped him escape to Caesarea and he eventually went to Tarsus (9:30-31). Saul served in Tarsus until Barnabas enlisted him for ministry in Antioch (Acts 11:19-26). His example ofboldly proclaiming the gospel message should challenge us to embrace our part in carrying out Jesus's command of Acts 1:8.
Conclusion
No two conversion experiences are ever the same. The Lord deals with each of us as individuals. No one else will ever experience salvation in the same way Saul did—but neither will anyone else experience it exactly as you did. Saul's conversion reminds us to praise the Lord for His ability to soften even the hardest, most antagonistic, heart.
Apply It
• Demonstrate your trust in God's promises by persevering in praying for those in your life who seem to be hardened to the gospel message.