Saul’s Conversion
1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
1. What do we know about this man Saul?
Born into a well-to-do Jewish family of Tarsus, the son of a Roman citizen, Saul was sent to Jerusalem to be trained in the famous rabbinical school headed by Gamaliel. Here, in addition to studying the Law and the Prophets, he learned a trade, as was the custom. Young Saul chose the trade of tent-making.
Tarsus, the capital city of the Roman province of Syria-Cilicia, a region in the extreme southeastern part of Asia Minor, which is known today as modern Turkey. It was rich, privileged for being exempt from Roman taxation, cultured and famous for its schools, being one of the university cities of renown alongside Athens and Alexandria. People would therefore come there to study philosophy, rhetoric, or general education. Saul mastered the Torah and the entire Jewish law, taking his place as a Pharisee.
If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. Phil 3:4-6 (NIV)
2. Why was Saul “still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples”?
The other religious leaders in Jerusalem were satisfied after they had run the Christians out of Jerusalem. They were willing to let it stay at that point. But not Saul of Tarsus! He was the one who was breathing out threatenings and slaughter. He hated Jesus Christ. I do not think that the Lord Jesus Christ ever has had an enemy greater than this man Saul of Tarsus. He went to the high priest and said, “Look, I’ve heard that a group of them have run off up there to Damascus, and I’m going after them.” The fact of the matter is that he intended to ferret them out, anywhere they went. His goal was to exterminate the Christians.—J. Vernon McGee’s
The high priest, president of the Sanhedrin, had jurisdiction over Jews throughout Palestine. Saul secured from the priest letters of extradition to the synagogues at Damascus to bring any Christians who had fled there back to Jerusalem in bonds. belonging to the Way. This description of Christianity, derived from Jesus’ description of Himself (Jn 14:6), appears several times in Acts (19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22). This is an appropriate title because Christianity is the way of God
3. What’s up with Damascus?
9:2 Damascus. An ancient city, the capital of Syria, located 60 mi. inland from the Mediterranean and ca. 160 mi. NE of Jerusalem. Apparently, it had a large population of Jews, including Hellenist believers who fled Jerusalem to avoid persecution. There was a Jewish community in Damascus of some ten to eighteen thousand people.
3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone.
4. How is Saul persecuting Jesus?
Jesus identifies the church as “His body”.
Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.Matt 25:45 (KJV)
1 Corinthians 12:27 (KJV) 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
5. Who are you LORD? Isn’t this a redundant question?
Kurios is Greek for master or supreme authority. Will you notice, here, the ignorance of Saul? He was possibly the most brilliant man of his day. He was probably a graduate of the University of Tarsus, the greatest Greek university of that day. He was a student in the school of Gamaliel, the Hebrew scholar. He was trained in the details of the Jewish religion. But he did not know the Lord Jesus Christ. “Who art thou, Lord?”This man who hated the Lord Jesus, who did everything he could against Him, now calls Him “Lord.” And he asks what the Lord would have him do. He is ready to do the bidding of the Lord. He has been completely changed. “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matt. 7:20). We can surely tell what has happened to this man.—J. Vernon McGee’s
In Rabbinic tradition such a voice from heaven would have been understood as the voice of God himself. The solemn repetition of Saul’s name and the bright light suggested to him that he was in the presence of deity
So many know about Jesus, but that is not the same as knowing Jesus. I knew about my wife before I met her, but now I know my wife. We have a relationship.
8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
6. What was Saul’s state of mind after this experience?
How would you feel if you were blinded by a light from heaven, and everything you had believed was suddenly turned upside down? Saul was in a state of total confusion? He could not see and he could not eat or drink.
10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
7. Who is this guy Ananias and what can we learn from him?
Ananias. One of the leaders of the Damascus church, and therefore, one of Saul’s targets. We know nothing about Ananias except what this passage tells us. Verse 13 indicates that he was apparently a resident of Damascus and not a refugee from Jerusalem. We do not know how the Gospel came to Damascus nor how Ananias was converted. The book of Acts does not give us a complete history of the early church, but relates only the most important events of its growth. The street called Straight ran through the heart of Damascus and may still be seen today. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
Ananias’ obedience was immediate and complete. He knew the danger that Saul presented, yet He was more concerned with being obedient to the Lord.
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord–Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here–has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,
8. Chosen instrument?
God states two reasons for calling Saul. He was God’s chosen vessel for two things. First, he was to bear the name of Jesus. Notice that he is not called a witness as the disciples were. Although Paul may have seen Jesus at His crucifixion, he had not walked with Him in the days of His flesh. He really knew nothing about Him until that day on the road to Damascus. Now he is to bear that name. That is the same name we are to bear today, the name of Jesus.
He is to bear that name before three different groups: Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. Gentiles are first on the list. Paul will be the great apostle to the Gentiles. Then to kings — he will appear before kings, probably including Nero himself, and then to the nation Israel. When Paul goes into a city, he always will begin in the Jewish synagogue. The synagogue will be his springboard to put him into the community, into the life of the city. From there he will reach the Gentiles. But he will go to the Jews first.
Second, the Lord said He will show Saul what great things he must suffer for His name’s sake. He is chosen to suffer for Jesus Christ. In my judgment, there has never been anyone else who has suffered for the Lord as Paul the apostle suffered. None of us dare say, “I’m suffering more than anyone else. Why does God let this happen to me?” We may be suffering or we may think we are suffering more than we are. At any rate, none of us suffer as Paul the apostle suffered for the Lord. J. Vernon McGee.
The reception of the Holy Spirit through the laying on of Ananias’ hands was an exceptional experience and not the normal thing (cf. 8:17). With the word brother, Ananias welcomed Saul into Christian fellowship. 18. A flaky substance like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he immediately regained his sight and was baptized. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
9. Why would Paul immediately be baptized?
Now he is baptized with water as a sign and seal of his conversion. The water had nothing to do with his salvation. He had been baptized by the Holy Spirit — that is, he had been saved on the Damascus road. When Ananias had laid his hands on him, he had been filled with the Holy Spirit for service. And now he is baptized with water. J. Vernon McGee.
Once Saul received his spiritual sight he knew that he needed to identify himself with Christ through baptism.
Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem
19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”
10. What do you think it felt like to have Saul show up to preach in the synagogue?
This would be comparable to Usama Bin Laden showing up at your church and begin preaching Christ.
22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.
11. How would Saul go about proving the Jesus is the Christ?
The transformation in Saul completely amazed his hearers. Proving. Literally, putting together; that is, putting together the OT prophecies with their fulfillment to show that Jesus was the Messiah. Saul’s training in the OT as a rabbi now stood him in good stead.—Wycliffe Bible Commentary,
| The Messiah must… | Prophecy | Fulfillment by Jesus |
| Be born in Bethlehem | Micah 5:2 | Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:4-7 |
| Be adored by great persons | Psalms 72:10-11 | Matthew 2:1-11 |
| Be annointed with the Spirit of God | Isaiah 11:2, 61:1 | Matthew 3:16; John 3:34; Acts 10:38 |
| Be hated without cause | Isaiah 49:7;Psalms 69:4 | John 15:24-25 |
| Be undesired and rejected by His own people | Isaiah 53:2, 63:3;Psalms 69:8 | Mark 6:3; Luke 9:58; John 1:11, |
| Be plotted against by Jews and Gentiles together | Psalms 2:1-2 | Acts 4:27 |
| Be betrayed by a friend | Psalms 41:9,55:12-24 | Matthew 26:21-25, 47-50; John 13:18-21; Acts 1:16-18 |
| Be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver | Zechariah 11:12 | Matthew 26:16 |
| Have his price given for a potter’s field | Zechariah 11:13 | Matthew 27:7 |
| Be forsaken by His disciples | Zechariah 13:7 | Matthew 26:31, 56 |
| Be struck on the cheek | Micah 5:1 | Matthew 27:30 |
| Be spat on | Isaiah 50:6 | Matthew 26:67, 27:30 |
| Be mocked | Psalms 22:7-8 | Matthew 27:31, 39-44 |
| Be beaten | Isaiah 50:6 | Matthew 26:67, 27:26, 30 |
| Be thirsty during His execution | Psalms 22:15 | John 19:28 |
| Be given vinegar to quench that thirst | Psalms 69:21 | Matthew 27:34 |
| Be considered a transgressor | Isaiah 53:12 | Matthew 27:38 |
| Be buried with the rich when dead | Isaiah 53:9 | Matthew 27:57-60 |
| Be sought after by Gentiles as well as Jews | Isaiah 11:10,42:1 | Acts 10:45 |
| Be accepted by the Gentiles | Isaiah 11:10,42:1-4, 49:1-12 | Matthew 12:21; Acts 10:45;Romans 15:9-12 |
23 After many days had gone by, the Jews conspired to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him.
12. Why do the Jews continue to want to kill Christians, what about freedom of religion?
When many days had elapsed. A period of 3 years, in which he ministered in
Nabatean Arabia, an area encompassing Damascus S to the Sinai peninsula.
After many days. Three years (Gal 1:17–18). It is probable that the major part of this period was spent in Arabia, away from Damascus, though the borders of Arabia extended to the environs of Damascus. the Jews conspired to kill him. Upon Saul’s return to Damascus, the governor under Aretas IV gave orders for his arrest (2Co 11:32; see note there).
Acts 9:23 The Jews does not mean all Jews, of course, since many Jews had believed in Jesus and Paul himself was a Jew. But from this point forward in Acts, Luke often uses the phrase “the Jews” as a shorthand expression to refer to Jewish people who opposed the gospel (see 12:3; 13:45, 50; 14:4; 17:5, 13; 18:12, 14, 28; 19:33; 20:3, 19; etc.). Often it is the leaders of communities who are involved in this rejection. plotted to kill him. Enemies of the gospel cannot defeat it by free and open debate, so they often resort to force, falsehood, murder, and governmental suppression (cf. 9:29). But the gospel is from God and cannot be stopped. Elsewhere Paul specifies that “the governor under King Aretas” was helping in the attempt to kill him (see 2 Cor. 11:32–33).
Freedom of religion is a feature of America and not generally a worldwide concept.
25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall. 26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.
13. Why were the disciples afraid of Saul?
When Saul returned to Jerusalem, he could not rejoin his former Jewish associates; and the few Christians who remained in the city (8:1) suspected that his profession of faith might be merely a front to further his persecution of the church. 27. Barnabas had either known Saul previously or he was a man of great discernment, for he recognized Saul’s sincerity and introduced him to the apostles. The only apostles in Jerusalem at this time were Peter and James, the Lord’s brother (Gal 1:18, 19). James had been included in the apostolic circle.—Wycliffe Bible Commentary, The
27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.
14. How do we really know that Saul saw the Lord?
We can tell from Saul’s action. He made a dramatic change in attitude and actions.
What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? ………..But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. James 2: 14, 18 (NKJV)
Saul continues to show his faith by his works.
15. How did God help Saul transition to being Paul the apostle?
He sent Barnabas. Luke introduces Barnabas as a role model from among those who donated property proceeds. Barnabas was a member of the priestly tribe of the Levites and a native of the island of Cyprus. He becomes an associate of Paul and a prominent figure later in the book (cf. 9:26, 27; 11:22–24, 30; chaps. 13–15). Cyprian. Barnabas was from Cyprus, the third largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily and Sardinia, located some 60 mi. W off the Syrian coast. “son of encouragement” (4:36), interceded for Saul, introducing him to the apostles (in Jerusalem), who were initially skeptical about his conversion. According to Gal. 1:18–19, this visit took place three years (see note on Acts 11:27–30) after his conversion (which could make this c. a.d. 37), and Paul met with Peter for 15 days but had no substantial interaction with the other apostles, except for meeting James, the brother of Jesus.
28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him.
16. Why would Saul be a good debater with the Grecian Jews?
Hellenistic Jews. The same group Stephen debated
Cilicia and Asia. Roman provinces in Asia Minor (modern Turkey). Since Paul’s hometown (Tarsus) was located in Cilicia, he probably attended this synagogue. argued with Stephen.
30 When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. 31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.
17. Why didn’t Saul just stay in Jerusalem and confront his enemies?
Sometimes God does not call his people to stand and lose their lives but rather to escape from the danger that he has revealed to them. Saul now busied himself with a Gospel ministry in Jerusalem. His ministry did not yet extend beyond the capital city into Judea (Gal 1:22-24). He addressed himself primarily to the Greek-speaking Jews or Hellenists—the same group to whom Stephen had previously witnessed (Acts 6:9). The Hellenists attempted to kill Saul as they had earlier brought about the death of Stephen.—Wycliffe Bible Commentary,
Paul’s hometown of Tarsus was a strategically important Cilician city in southeast Asia Minor on the road from Syria into central Asia Minor. Paul calls it “no obscure city” (21:39). Founded on the banks of the river Cydnus, it oversaw the important harbor on Lake Rhegma (approximately 5 miles/8 km south on the Cydnus). The vital Cilician Gates, which allowed passage across the Taurus Mountains, were approximately 25 miles (40 km) north. Alexander the Great had stayed in Tarsus, Pompey had based his campaign against sea pirates on the city, and Antony first met Cleopatra in Tarsus. Tarsus was known as a home to philosophers, especially those of the Stoic school. Archaeologists have uncovered a basalt street with limestone gutters from the NT period, and one can also see the foundations of a huge second-century-a.d. temple (known as the Donuktash). to Tarsus. This corresponds toGal. 1:21, where Paul says he went to “Cilicia,” the province in which Tarsus was located. Paul would be based in Tarsus and minister in Syria-Cilicia for the next eight years (c. a.d. 37–45). Some of the events of 2 Cor. 11:23–27 perhaps occurred during this time, and probably also his intense vision of heaven (2 Cor. 12:2–4). Saul is not mentioned again in Acts until Barnabas goes to Tarsus to find him in Acts 11:25. Saul will begin to be called Paul in
There must have been hundreds of churches in the small cities and towns throughout this large region, but all of them together can be called a “church” (Gk. ekklēsia, singular in the earliest and best manuscripts of this verse, though some later manuscripts have the plural). The NT can apply the singular word “church” to the church meeting in a home (Rom. 16:5; 1 Cor. 16:19), in an entire city (1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 1:1), in a large region (as here), or throughout the whole world (1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 5:25). Peace came to the church after the conversion of its prime persecutor (see also Gal. 1:22–24). Fear of the Lord does not mean fear of final judgment but is a common theme in Acts referring either to fear as godly awe, reverence, and devotion (as in Acts 2:43; 10:2; 13:26) or fear of God’s displeasure and fatherly discipline (as in 5:5, 11; 16:29; 19:17; see also Heb. 12:7–10).the church … enjoyed peace, being built up. Paul’s conversion and political changes contributed to the rest. A stricter Roman governor and the expansion of Herod Agrippa’s authority restricted the persecution.
32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the saints in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and take care of your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
18. Why didn’t Peter heal all the sick people in Lydda?
The purpose for Peter’s healing was to establish him as an Apostle. He was not called to be a health care center. Aeneas. Apparently an unbeliever (cf. v. 36), whose paralysis was incurable by the limited medical knowledge of that day.
The story of Aeneas’ healing spread throughout the city of Lydda and throughout the plain of Sharon, which bordered the seacoast, and resulted in the conversion of many people. This area was populated in part by Gentiles; Luke is tracing the extension of the church from the Jewish Jerusalem community to the Gentile converts.—Wycliffe Bible Commentary,
Toward the end of Paul’s own ministry the record clearly shows that Paul did not exercise the gift of healing. For instance, notice that he left Trophimus at Miletum sick (2Tim. 4:20). Why did not Paul heal his friend Trophimus? Paul, you see, had come to the end of his ministry, and the sign gifts even then were beginning to disappear from the church. At the beginning of Paul’s ministry nothing of the New Testament had been written. Paul himself wrote the second book of the New Testament. When he went into a new territory with his message, what was his authority? He had no authority except sign gifts. However, after the New Testament was in written form, the emphasis shifted from sign gifts to correct doctrine. Paul warns that if a man does not have correct doctrine — even if he is an angel from heaven — you should not receive him. “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:8).
However, in the early days of the church, the apostles’ sign gifts were important. Notice the reaction of those who heard of Dorcas being restored to life.
—J. Vernon McGee’s Thru The Bible
36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas ), who was always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!” 39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
19. What can we say about Dorcas?
Tabitha. An Aramaic word meaning gazelle. Dorcas. Greek for the same. She was greatly beloved by the Christians for her good works and acts of charity. 37. The Jewish ceremonial laws of purification required the washing of a dead body. It was placed in an upper room in anticipation of burial. 39. Widows, who were among the most needy persons in the ancient world, were the particular objects of Tabitha’s charity. They were probably wearing garments Dorcas had made for them.—Wycliffe Bible Commentary, The
40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.
20. What did Peter do first in order to heal Dorcas?
He prayed.
· ESVN………….ESV Study Bible Notes
· MSBN…….MacArthur NASB Study Notes
· NIVSN…..NIV Study Notes.
· JVM ….J Vernon McGee,
· ACC …. Adam Clarke’s Commentary
· BN …..Barnes Notes
· WBC…… Wycliffe Bible Commentary
· CN …… Constables Notes
· IC……….Ironside Commentary
· NET………Net Bible Study Notes.
· JFB…………..Jamieson Fausset Brown Commentary
· VWS……………..Vincent Word Studies
· CMM………….Commentary on Matthew and Mark
· BDB………….. Barclay’s Daily Study Bible (NT)
· Darby………..John Darby’s Synopsis of the OT and NT
· Johnson………Johnson’s Notes on the New Testament.
· NTCMM…………..The New Testament Commentary: Matthew and Mark.
·
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