May 15, 2022
Evening Service

The Conversion of Saul

Acts 9:1  Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 

Acts 9:2  and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 

Acts 9:3  As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 

Acts 9:4  Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" 

Acts 9:5  And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads." 

Acts 9:6  So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." 

Acts 9:7  And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 

Acts 9:8  Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 

Acts 9:9  And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 

Saul not knowing the gospel message of Jesus and He being the Christ sent from our Father in Heaven, thought he should do all he could against the name of Jesus. He was going around Jerusalem rounding up followers of “The Way” and by doing this, he thought he was performing the service of God and this was his duty to rid the community of this cult of believers. Jesus then chose Saul to bring the gospel message to the Gentiles and revealed His glory to him on the road to Damascus. He told Saul it was hard for him to kick against the goads, now goads were slender pieces of wood, blunt on one end and pointed on the other. Farmers used the pointed end to persuade a stubborn ox into motion. Occasionally, the ox would kick at the goad and the more the ox kicked, the more likely the goad would stab into the flesh of its leg, causing even greater pain. We can be thankful for God’s Divine favor if by His choosing, imparts Grace to us, or by His protection and care prevents us from another sinful act or deed. Saul on the road to Damascus saw “The Just One”, this he told to King Agrippa in later chapters that a light brighter than the sun shone around him, this was God’s glory. God is near to us in the unseen world, for these are the eternal things! God can lift the veil and reveal His glory however and whenever He chooses and then the things we can see, that are most attractive in the visual world, appear as worthless. Saul submitted to the Will of Jesus without a second thought, asking the Lord what He would have him to do. When we do or say anything not respectful of our Lord Jesus, it causes us to feel humbled and sorrowful for our sinful ways. If we are true in our belief, we feel very badly and ashamed of our sinful nature. For three days, Saul was blind and did not eat or drink and it pleased God to leave him for that time without relief. His sins are now brought to the forefront and he was very unsure of his own spiritual state and wounded in his spirit for the sin. When a sinner comes to repentance and fully recognizes the true sense of his own misgivings and poor behavior, he will throw himself totally on the mercy of the Savior, asking what He would have him to do. God directs the humbled sinner who repents and though He does not promise joy and peace to the repentant, He does promise to accompany us through the journey. God knows that our struggles and sorrows draw us to Him for help and relief and keeps the walk steady in dependence of Him. In addition, the book of Psalms says this:

Psalms 126:5  Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. 

 

Acts 9:10  Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." 

Acts 9:11  So the Lord said to him, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 

Acts 9:12  And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight." 

Acts 9:13  Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 

Acts 9:14  And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name." 

Acts 9:15  But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 

Acts 9:16  For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake." 

Acts 9:17  And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 

Acts 9:18  Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. 

Saul Proclaims Jesus in Synagogues

Acts 9:19  So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. 

Acts 9:20  Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. 

Acts 9:21  Then all who heard were amazed, and said, "Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?" 

Acts 9:22  But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ. 

A good and pleasing to God work has begun in Saul when he fell at Christ's feet with those words, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Once you come to Christ Jesus with this nature of serving and attitude, He will not leave any who have this character in their heart. Saul, the once proud Pharisee, the oppressor of Christians without compassion, the blasphemer of Jesus’ Holy name, now prays to Him who made Himself known! This is how it still is today also, with the proud unbelieving pagan or the forsaken sinner, once drawn to Christ, we pray. All of us are blessed who understand the nature and power of prayer; it is in the likeness of the prayer of the humbled sinner who repents for the blessings of free salvation! Saul now prays differently than he had before, as it was, he said his prayers and now he prays them. Forgiving grace from our Lord, gives direction to the repentant sinner to pray. You are just as likely to find a living man without breath as you are to find a living Christian without prayer. However, it is easy to see that even distinguished disciples, like Ananias, were sometimes confounded at the commands of the Lord. The Lord's glory will easily surpass our limited expectations, Saul was given mercy and Jesus will now use this man to further His gospel even if he was thought to be in opposition. The teaching of the Holy Spirit directs our understanding of the Lord’s great mercy and the gospel message; then we the sinner become a new creature, and we strive to witness Jesus, the Son of God, to our former companions.

Saul Escapes from Damascus

Acts 9:23  Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. 

Acts 9:24  But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. 

Acts 9:25  Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket. 

Saul in Jerusalem

Acts 9:26  And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. 

Acts 9:27  But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 

Acts 9:28  So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. 

Acts 9:29  And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him. 

Acts 9:30  When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus. 

Acts 9:31  Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. 

When we accept the Lord Jesus as our Savior and begin our journey in the way of God, we will face trials, but the Lord will deliver the believer. We will face temptation along the way, but He will also make a way to escape. Saul's conversion was and still is proof of the truth of Christianity, yet by itself; it could not convert one soul in contention with the truth. The only thing that can produce true faith is that holy power which newly washes a sinful heart. You can imagine the believers in Jesus in the days after Saul’s conversion; they would be very suspicious of Saul and not apt to trust he was being truthful. Our world is full of deception and this is growing and becoming more common as the end of days near, it is necessary to be cautious, but we must exercise love also. From the love chapter in the bible:

1st Corinthians 13:5  does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;

The Lord will clean up the character of true Christian believers; and He will bring them to His people who had witnessed their hatred to Christ and give them opportunity to bear testimony to His truth. Christ will now send Saul to bear witness to the Gentiles of Christ and His work on Calvary. God will keep Saul until the work for which he ordained him is complete, He will not allow him to be killed until the testimony of his purpose is finished. The disciples walked uprightly, and enjoyed much comfort from the Holy Spirit. Spreading the Good News in the hope and peace of the gospel message and others hearing it, converted as believers in Christ Jesus. They relied upon the comfort of the Holy Ghost, not only in the days of trial and tribulation, but also in the days of rest and good fortune. People are most likely to walk pleasing to God, who walk with caution and are watchful for risks and dangers of the evil one.

The Healing of Aeneas

Acts 9:32  Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. 

Acts 9:33  There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. 

Acts 9:34  And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed." Then he arose immediately. 

Acts 9:35  So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. 

Christian people are saints, or a holy people; not only the distinguished ones, as Saint Paul and Saint Joseph and Saint Peter, but every sincere person who professes their faith in Christ. Notice Peter here in the scripture does not allude to having any power of his own, but directs the healing power’s source to Jesus the Christ. Jesus chose the people who were afflicted with ailments that had no natural remedy, like blindness, being lame, being mute, and he did this to show the frailty and weakness of humankind. Their healing is no doubt of a Divine origin; man cannot perform these miracles of healing. None of us should say that it is Christ and the power of His grace that does all our works, but rather that Christ gives us the strength and willingness. We would have no work to do if Christ did all the work and that is not His plan, however, we do have a duty and Christ Jesus gives us the strength to do it. Jesus makes us whole, with Him, we lack nothing, and we can do all things through Christ that strengthens us. We must arise and use the power given to us by our Savior.

Dorcas Restored to Life

Acts 9:36  At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. 

Acts 9:37  But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 

Acts 9:38  And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. 

Acts 9:39  Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. 

Acts 9:40  But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 

Acts 9:41  Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 

Acts 9:42  And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. 

Acts 9:43  So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner. 

Plenty of people seem to have good words to say and yet the lack the good works that should naturally come with the testimony. Tabitha here in Joppa was a person with plenty of good works, yet she was not much for talking. Believers who do not have material riches to give in charity are still able to do acts of charity; they can either make things of use with their hands, or walking with their feet for the good of others. Respect is given to Christians mostly whose own works give honor to them; this is true whether the words of other people do so or not. However, some remain ungrateful who have had kindness shown to them and will not acknowledge it. A good example of stewardship of Christ Jesus would be to repay the kindness that had been shown for them. We depend upon the fullness of Christ for our whole salvation; we should also desire to be full of good works for the honor of His Name and for the benefit of His fellow servants. Dorcas has learned to become useful where she lived by using her skills of fabricating tunics and garments. It brings awareness to our position of having an outward appearance of dress and looking good, but we do not focus on our inward appearance and condition of our hearts and the works we should be doing. We ought not to be overly concerned with outward appearances, but to be more concerned with our spiritual fitness. Power went along with the words of Peter and Dorcas came to life. Dead souls come to spiritual life by first opening of the eyes of the mind. Here we see that the Lord can make up every loss; that he overrules every event for the good of those who trust in him, and for the glory of His Name.