April 15, 2012
Evening Service

Intro: 

This morning we looked at Saul of Tarsus’ conversion.  I think the thing we need to understand is, most of Jesus’ followers gave up all to follow Him.  God became first in their lives.  Religion was a big part of their lives before, but now it is everything in their lives.

 

This evening we will begin following Saul, and see where this new commitment will take him.

 

First stop:   Damascus.

Act 9:17-30  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. 

• Let’s take note that anyone could’ve said this to Saul, but Ananias produced results.  The old saying “the proof is in the pudding”, that’s what we are looking for.
• When Ananias laid on hands, and prayed, things happened.

(18)  And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. 

• After blindness had been restored, Saul no doubt felt a lot better, but Ananias said we are not yet done.  He took and baptized him right away.

(19)  And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.  (20)  And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 

• Saul preached Jesus was 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? 

• When you were converted, it probably marveled your friends the way your speech changed.  Went from filthy talk to praise the Lord type of talk, different, but good.

(22)  But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. 

• Saul proved that Jesus was the Messiah by the Scriptures.

(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.  (26)  And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. 

• There is a proving time.  For me it was 8 years, before God could trust me with His gospel.
• I’ll never forget what my Mother said to my brother on the telephone one day.  He was in Vietnam, and she was talking to him on the phone, and she said, “Son, here’s your brother, but it’s not the same Jerry.”   I wanted to hear this, there has been a change.

(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.  (31)  Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea 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.

• Saul goes back to his hometown of Tarsus, and this is where his family, and friends will know that this is a new man, with a new direction in life.
• Also notice that in chapter 8 there was a scattering of the church, and now it is peaceful.

 

We leave Saul for awhile, and Acts goes back to Peter:  After the conversion of the gentile household of Cornelius we return to Barnabas, and Saul.

Act 11:19  Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

• There are two Antioch’s in this area, one in Turkey, and one in Syria.  This is the one in Syria.
• The church sends out Barnabas to check these happenings out.  He finds a very good report.
• Barnabas locates Saul at Tarsus, and brings him back to the church in Antioch.

Act 11:26  And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

After Herod is slain by God, this is what is said:

Act 12:24-25  But the word of God grew and multiplied.  (25)  And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

Barnabas, and Saul are ordained for the work they are to do:

Act 13:1-5  Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 

• God will work in groups like this.  They are in tune with the will of God.

(2)  As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 

• It is not given us how God spoke to this group, whether thru one man, or to all of them at the same time, we don’t know.  I think an audible voice to all.

(3)  And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. 

• This is an example for consecration of people for the work of God.
• Men of God, praying, and fasting, and laying on of hands, in Jesus name.

(4)  So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, (not men) departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.  (5)  And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

Saul is first called Paul:

Act 13:6-13  And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:  (7)  Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.  (8)  But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.  (9)  Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,  (10)  And said, O full of all subtlety and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?  (11)  And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.  (12)  Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.  (13)  Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.