Acts 9

Here we find Saul, still breathing murderous threats against anyone who belonged to "The Way", the followers of Christ. It seems he felt he needed abide by the law a bit more this time and he went to the high priest to ask for letters or arrest warrants for the synagogues at Damascus. He was going to travel there to collect more Christians, and drag them back to Jerusalem to be punished. This would mean a six or seven day journey. He was an equal opportunity arrester--he was gathering up Christian women too.

When you study these words, you should ask the Holy Spirit if there is anyone you have been judging lately. Is there a person out there you're holding a grudge against? Is there anyone you know that you feel needs to be spiritually whipped by God? Do you have a mental list like Saul, that you quietly add people to that you feel God should zap a little? Let's read on to see what happens to Saul.

On the road to Damascus, Saul is accosted by Christ. Saul finds himself on the ground and blind and a voice speaks to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" And He said, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting..." (Acts 9:4-5)

Paul's own words later in Acts 26:14 tells us, "And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew dialect, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'"

We should remember Matthew 25:40: "..."Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, {even} the least {of them,} you did it to Me."

And also John 8:7: "He who is without sin among you, let him {be the} first to throw a stone at her."

Do we really have a right to judge others and put them in our own mental jailhouse? When we do that to others, remember who their big brother is...standing behind them with arms folded!

So Saul is blinded and on the ground. His companions don't see anyone, but they do hear the voice of Christ. So this issue is between Saul and Christ. I bet Saul felt pretty helpless.

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:31
Note that Jesus does not convert Saul on the road. Jesus leaves that up to you and I to preach and teach others. Isn't that wonderful that He wants us to be a part of His work on earth?

So his companions lead him to Damascus, because Jesus tells them to. He fasts for 3 days and nights. That number 3 is significant...could it be that Saul is going to have a life-changing experience?

Across town Ananias gets a message from God to pray for Saul to be healed. He had to make sure he heard God say what He said. He questioned God about the instructions.

But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name." Acts 9:13-14

Did you know it's OK to question God about His instructions? It's OK to clarify what God is telling you to do. It's a good communication exercise. Try it when talking to a friend. I bet you'll avoid a lot of miscommunications!

After listening to a person speak, say it back to them in your own words. "OK, what I heard you say was..." or "What I think you are saying is..."

I know that Ananias knew it was God talking to him, he was just scared and wasn't sure he could trust Saul and his companions. But he trusted God more and was obedient and God worked through him!

Saul's ministry begins...and who better to shake people up than a rabid pharisee who gets converted and preaches Christ--who he was vehemently against a month ago? God allows U-turns!

Do not be surprised about those "tough nuts" who crack and change their ways. They have the most amazing testimonies for Christ. Do not judge them or think they're faking. God will be glorified in their lives just as much as in our own!

Remember, Saul is a scholar who had one of the top rabbis in Israel. His own verbal resume states: "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today." Acts 22:3

He was also a Roman citizen. His father was from the tribe of Benjamin, which was given Roman citizenship long ago. That carried on to him.

His hometown was Tarsus of Cilicia. He knew the Greek way of thought and debate.

So we find him in the synagogues he was proving Jesus is Messiah. And a plot was hatched to kill him. He escapes through an opening in the city wall, let down in a basket by his followers. I bet he felt like the spies in Joshua 2:15.

About three years pass and he had made his way to Jerusalem. The disciples are afraid of him. But Barnabas stands up for him and testifies to his conversion. Saul boldly preaches in Jerusalem. Another plot is hatched by the Hellenistic Jews (Stephen's killers) so Saul is sent away to Tarsus for safety.

The church increases.

Now, there are a two theories raised by our group that night about the church growing and the persecution stops for a while.

One is that the temple officials didn't have any back up for Saul. Jesus had taken out their main guy for rounding up Christians and they had to find someone else for the post.

Another theory is that Caligula was ordering his statue to be placed in the Temple for worship. It took a lot of focus off "The Way" because the Jews were fighting this insidious Roman invasion.

The chapter now switches to Peter's ministry. We see Peter traveling to "those regions" and he found Aeneas in Lydda--a paralytic--and healed him.

And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Acts 9:35

Note that not just a handful came to Christ...but ALL.

A woman disciple who did many works for the poor had died. They implored Peter to come. The mourners showed him all the work she had done, they were devastated she was gone.

(Who would mourn over your death? What do you think would be on your epitaph?)

Peter was moved by this love for Dorcas. He sent them all out of the room, prayed. Note that he did not pray with a bunch of witnesses...he was "in his prayer closet". He took her hand and told her to arise. She woke up. This is the first instance of death overcome by an apostle.

So Peter remained in Joppa with Simon the tanner. Can you see that former fisherman hanging out at the beach? I wonder if he was resting from his work, sharpening his mind, heart and soul for what was to come...