Introduction: Acts 9 contains two sections. Verses 1-31 contain the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, the ministry of Ananias of Damascus to Saul, and Saul’s early ministry to the people of Damascus. He then fled Damascus, made his way back to Jerusalem, but returned to Tarsus because people wanted to kill him!
Verses 32 and following describe two different accounts in the life and ministry of Peter. There will be another outline for those two incidents, D.V.
1 Saul of Tarsus and the “Damascus Road” experience
Text, Acts 9:1-9, KJV: 1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. 3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. 7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. 8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
Thoughts:
--This follows, chronologically, the events of chapters 6 and 7, following the trial and execution (martyrdom) of Stephen. The last verses of chapter 7 tell how Stephen’s message angered the religious leaders so much that they “cast him out of the city” and the men who stoned Stephen to death placed their clothing at Saul’s feet.
--How much, or what kind, of effect, this had on Saul is anybody’s guess: after this, he basically waged war against the believers in Jesus. He searched Jerusalem to find believers and had some of them arrested, even voting for the death penalty against some (Acts 26:9-11, paraphrased). Later, however, he still remembered what had happened to Stephen and how he had watched over the clothing of those who stoned Stephen (Acts 22:17-20, paraphrased).
--Damascus was over 100 miles from Jerusalem. That meant nothing to Saul, as he was ready to arrest any believers in Jesus (“any of this way,” verse 2) he could find and take them back—bound—to Jerusalem. Saul would have had to go through Samaria and Galilee to reach Damascus but nothing is said of his journey until he came “near Damascus (verse 3)”.
--The irony: Saul was leading a group of people (from Jerusalem?) to Damascus (verse 7) but after he saw the risen Jesus, he was blind! These same people he led, now led him by the hand. Saul was basically helpless at this time!
--Saul eventually did arrive at Damascus, but not at all like he imagined. More, however, was in store for him.
2 Ananias of Damascus and the “Street called Straight” experience
Text, Acts 9:10-19, KJV: 10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. 17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. 19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
Thoughts:
--While Saul was in Damascus, he didn’t eat or drink anything for three days. During that time, Saul stayed with a man named Judas. This man’s house was on “Straight Street” in Damascus. Then the Lord spoke to a certain disciple named Ananias and told him to lay hands on Saul so that Saul would receive his vision again.
--Ananias, like Moses of old, was none too anxious to do this (Exodus 4). Moses voiced his objections; Ananias, his fear of Saul and Saul’s reputation.
--The Lord gave Ananias the command, “go thy way”, because the Lord had chosen Saul to be a witness for the Lord before various groups of people.
--Luke gives a brief or abbreviated summary of Ananias’ message to Saul here. Later, when he, as the Apostle Paul, spoke to a group of Jews near the Temple in Jerusalem (compare Acts 21:27 with 22:12-16), he reported more of what Ananias had said to him.
--After he spoke with Saul, Ananias did indeed place his hands on Saul. Luke records that something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes (paraphrased), then, Saul received his sight. One of the first things he did, if not the first, was to be baptized.
--He then ate some food and was strengthened (he’d had nothing for three days). Following this, he stayed with the disciples in Damascus. What a change from his journey to Damascus from Jerusalem just a relatively short time before!
3 Saul’s first ministry in Damascus: the “Jesus is the Son of God” experience
Text, Acts 9:20-25, KJV: 20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? 22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. 23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: 24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. 25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.
Thoughts:
--If nothing else, this series of events proves Saul was thoroughly convinced that Jesus was (and is) the Son of God. He had heard Stephen call on Jesus as “Lord (Acts 7:59-60)” and had even called Jesus Himself “Lord” when he saw Jesus on the Damascus Road. This in and of itself is not proof—Jesus said that some would be denied entry to the kingdom of Heaven. These people would plead “Lord, Lord, didn’t we do this, that, and the other” but Jesus said He will say, “Depart (scram!) I never knew you (Matthew 7:21-24, paraphrased)”.
--The claim of Jesus to be “Son of God” was, incredibly, one of the charges made by the Jews so they could have Jesus crucified (see John 19:7-12). Thomas had doubted, but when he saw the risen Christ, he was one of the first to proclaim, “my Lord and my God! (John 20:28)”
--The Jews who heard Saul proclaim “Jesus is Son of God” were amazed. Saul had come to persecute these believers, now he’s preaching the very thing he tried to destroy!
--Saul “increased in strength” but it is not clear if this means physical strength, spiritual strength, or both. The result was that he “confounded” the Jews of Damascus (where were the ones who had come to Damascus with him?) by proving (from the Scriptures, implied) that Jesus “is the very Christ (verse 22).”
--Perhaps as a glimpse of what was to happen in many places, the Jews decided to kill Saul. Comparing Luke’s words here with Paul’s own testimony in 2 Corinthians 11:32-33, there was a guard (garrison, 2 Cor 11:32) who watched the gates day and night (verse 24) to kill Saul. How long Saul was kept “under wraps” or protected is never specified but he knew he faced death if he tried to leave using one of the city gates.
--In one of the greatest displays of courage and compassion, some disciples lowered Saul—in a basket!—down by the wall, through a window on the wall (verse 25. 2 Cor 11:33). These unknown believers not only saved Saul’s life, but risked their own, in trying to help him escape. Paul never forgot those other brothers and what they did for him. But he didn’t risk losing his life by staying in Damascus, either.
4 Saul’s ministry in Jerusalem: a troubling experience
Text, Acts 9:26-30, KJV: 26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. 29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. 30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
Thoughts:
--Saul had escaped Damascus, after being let down, hiding (implied) in a basket, through a window in the city wall. Through God’s grace, he made it back to Jerusalem. How he did this is never revealed: who gave him food, water, shelter or anything else to survive ranks as some of the Bible’s greatest unsung heroes! They may never have known God’s plans for Saul, but surely they’ll be rewarded for helping a brother in the Lord, on the run for his life!
--Saul eventually arrived back at Jerusalem and suffered one of his first troubles there. The disciples wanted nothing to do with him! They were afraid of Saul, remembering what he had done not too long before. Perhaps some of these disciples had either been the objects of Saul’s wrath, or it could be that some of their family members had suffered because of Saul. Hence, trouble number 1 for Saul.
-- The disciples were wise to evaluate Saul. False brothers, misbelievers, and the like have been a problem for the Church since these early days. Some, ironically, came from Jerusalem to spy out the liberty of the Gospel (see Galatians 2). Later, John would write that some who claimed to be believers were, in a word, not (1 John 2:18-24).
--Barnabas spoke up for him, testifying on Saul’s behalf. How Barnabas knew about this is another thing the Holy Spirit has chosen not to reveal. The important thing is that Barnabas had already believed in Jesus for salvation, and now showed he believed in Saul, that Saul’s conversion was genuine.
--Saul now tried to reach some of the Hellenistic (Greek-speaking) Jews. Luke does not say if this took place in synagogues or elsewhere. Some of these may have been part of the very same group who had “disputed” with Stephen (Acts 6:9). Part of that group were even from Cilicia, the province where Tarsus was located (Acts 21:39, 22:3). Had any of them known Saul, both the “before Damascus” and “after Damascus” versions?
--Their reaction was made plain soon enough. They wanted to kill Saul. An irony: they had heard the Gospel from Stephen, and had him killed; now it seems they wanted to do the same thing to Saul. Thus, trouble #2 for Saul in Jerusalem.
--The disciples, to their credit, arranged for Saul to leave Jerusalem. They brought him to Caesarea, a sea port, and sent him back to his hometown of Tarsus. Nothing is said about how they did this but only the fact that they didn’t want to see him dead. So, the very people whom Saul wanted to reach tried to kill him, the very disciples he wanted to join were afraid of him, but arranged for him to escape the wrath and risk of death if he stayed in Jerusalem. This for Saul was at least trouble #3!
Epilogue: the “peace after persecution” experience
Text, Acts 9:31, KJV: 31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
Thoughts:
--Why this “rest” took place is another unrevealed item. What is important is that first, the Church was still growing and functioning. Second, the churches (and, implied, the members) were edified or built up. Whoever did this remains anonymous, but the Lord knows, and these saints went about to “edify” or build up (perhaps, strengthen?) the churches of all Judea, Samaria, and Galilee. They also walked in the fear of the Lord and the comfort (encouragement) of the Holy Spirit.
--This is still important today. Persecution takes many forms, sometimes subtle and other times obvious. The need for believers to edify or encourage one another is one of the most important things we can do.
--The Lord may ask us to something great, or, more likely, something small. Whatever it is, may we listen and obey our Lord completely!
Scripture quotations were taken from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV).
