Good morning,
Acts 9 stands as a testament to the transformative power of faith and the divine intervention of the Lord. The chapter showcases not only the miraculous conversion of Saul, a man once infamous for persecuting Christians, but also the miraculous healings performed by Peter. These stories inspire believers, reminding them that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love, forgiveness, and transformative power.
Acts 9:1-31
The Transformative Power of Faith: Saul’s Damascus Road Encounter
Saul’s Conversion on the Road to Damascus (V1-9)
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.
Saul is still persecuting the disciples of the Lord, when suddenly, a light from heaven shines around him on the road to Damascus. He hears the voice of Jesus asking why Saul persecutes Him. Saul, blinded by the light, is led by his companions into Damascus where he remains for three days without sight, and neither eats nor drinks. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Acts 9)
Ananias Restores Saul’s Sight (V10-19)
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 enquire 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.
The Lord appears to Ananias in a vision and instructs him to go to Saul. Ananias is fearful due to Saul’s reputation but obeys the Lord. He lays hands on Saul, and something like scales fall from Saul’s eyes, restoring his sight. Saul is baptized, eats, and regains his strength. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Acts 9)
Saul Preaches in Damascus (V20-25)
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.
Saul spends time with the disciples in Damascus and immediately starts preaching about Jesus, proving that He is the Son of God. This confounds the Jews in Damascus, who know Saul’s previous actions against the Christians. When they plot to kill him, his followers help him escape the city at night by lowering him in a basket through an opening in the city wall. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Acts 9)
Saul in Jerusalem (V26-31)
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.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.
Saul goes to Jerusalem and tries to join the disciples, but they fear him, remembering his past. Barnabas, however, accepts Saul and introduces him to the apostles. Saul preaches boldly in the name of the Lord. But when the Hellenistic Jews attempt to kill him, the believers take him to Caesarea and send him off to Tarsus. The church then enjoys a time of peace and growth.
Acts 9 is a transformative chapter that chronicles the powerful conversion of Saul, a fervent persecutor of the early Christian church, into one of its most prominent apostles, Paul. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Acts 9)
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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