ACTS SERIES: THE CONVERSION OF SAUL – CHAPTER 9

Acts 7 introduced readers to Saul at the end of the chapter, saying he was the man who guarded the coats of the individuals who stoned Stephen. At the beginning of Acts 8, it was revealed that Saul was going into believers’ homes, dragging them out, and having them placed in prison awaiting trial and punishment. Now, the majority of Acts 9 is devoted to Saul’s encounter with Jesus and his subsequent ministry.

Quoting from the Message Bible, Saul in Philippians 3:5-6 describes himself in this way, “You know my pedigree: a legitimate birth, circumcised on the eighth day; an Israelite from the elite tribe of Benjamin; a strict and devout adherent to God’s law; a fiery defender of the purity of my religion, even to the point of persecuting the church; a meticulous observer of everything set down in God’s law Book.” Hence, from his personal description of himself, I can conclude that before his conversion, Saul was an archenemy of the believers who zealously made it his sole purpose to eradicate their existence. Additionally, to broaden his reach, Saul went to the high priest and obtained letters for the leaders in the Damascus synagogues to search for believers and bring them bound to Jerusalem.

So, in chapter 9, with these letters, Saul and his companions were traveling to Damascus when a light from heaven shone around him, which made him fall to the ground. Saul heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” Saul responded, “Who art thou, Lord?” The Lord replied, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” Immediately Saul was convicted and asked for direction. The Lord told Saul, “Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.”

As he arose, Saul realized he could not see thus the companions that were traveling with him that heard a voice but saw no one brought him to Damascus. While waiting three days for further instructions, Saul did not eat or drink, nor could he see.

Meanwhile, via a vision, the Lord spoke to Ananias, a disciple who lived in Damascus and said, “Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.”

At first, Ananias was hesitant because of the evil he heard Saul had done in Jerusalem and the authority Saul had received from the high priest. Nevertheless, obediently, Ananias went to Saul, understanding the Lord had chosen Saul to bear His name before the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel and would also reveal to him the great things he would suffer for the name of Jesus,

When Ananias entered the house of Judas on Straight Street, he greeted Saul, placed his hands on him, and immediately the scales fell off Saul’s eyes. Saul’s sight returned; he was baptized and ate some food that strengthened his body.

Saul remained with the disciples in Damascus for a time. Without hesitation, he went into the synagogues and preached Christ is the Son of God, which amazed those who heard him and knew his intentions for coming to Damascus. Additionally, as he gained spiritual strength, he confounded the Jews in Damascus to the point they took counsel on how they might kill him. With the city’s gates being watched day and night, the disciples put Saul in a basket one night and lowered him down the walls to save him.

Saul returned to Jerusalem, but the believers there doubted his sincerity on being a Christian until Barnabus befriended him and took him to meet the apostles. Saul shared his conversion story with them and his preaching experience in Damascus, which they believed allowing him to openly fellowship with believers and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in the area. This continued until he entered into a dispute with the Grecian Jews, who then plotted to kill him. As in Damascus, when fellow believers heard of the plot, they escorted Saul to Caesarea and onto his Tarsus home. Happily, there was peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria for a time as the believers grew in number, strength, fear of the Lord, and the comfort of the Holy Ghost. 

Chapter 9 ends by recording two miracles performed by Peter. The first happened while he was ministering in Lydda to Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years with palsy. Peter said, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed.” Immediately, Aeneas arose, and this miracle caused the people in the area to turn to the Lord. The second miracle happened in Joppa when a female disciple named Tabitha, known for her charitable deeds, died from an illness. Hearing Peter was in nearby Lydda, the believers sent two men to him, requesting him to come immediately to Joppa. When Peter arrived, they brought him into the upper chamber where they had laid her dead, washed body. The widows gathered there, weeping, and they showed Peter the clothing that Tabitha had made and distributed to them. Peter put the people out of the room, knelt, prayed, and said, “Tabitha, arise.” Tabitha opened her eyes and sat up, and Peter, who helped her stand, called for the saints and widows to see their resurrected loved one. From this miracle, many believed in the Lord, and Peter lodged in Joppa at the home of Simon, a tanner.

I close this blog with these nuggets:

God chooses and calls people into His kingdom from every walk of life.

An encounter with Jesus can change the heart and mind of an unbeliever to becoming a believer.

God will give direction to those who ask Him.

Ask God to remove the scales off your eyes that you might see clearly.

God can send you to speak to people whom you may consider evil.

If God tells you to go, go.

Willingly accept those whom God accepts as His servant.

Be welcoming to new converts.

Let a person’s past stay in the past.

Seek to grow strong in God.

God can turn your mourning into joy.

Miracles can turn unbelievers into believers.

Given the opportunity, pray for the sick and raise the dead in the name of Jesus.