We continue in the book of Acts or our Summer Reading Challenge of 2022. Today’s reflections from Acts chapter 9 address the tremendous transformation of Saul.
- Acts 9 has 5 main movements: (1) the conversion of Saul (9:1-19); (2) Saul proclaims Jesus (9:20-22); (3) Saul escapes Damascus (9:23-25); (4) Saul in Jerusalem (9:26-31); (5) Peter in Lydda & Joppa (9:32-43)
- Today’s episode will look at the way Saul’s conversion takes place and what we can learn from it.
Part 1: Saul Still Seeking to Silence Christians
- Where chapter 8 began with the persecution breaking out against the church, and her subsequent scattering, chapter 9 brings us back to the person of Saul. He was “still breathing out threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord.”
- What a striking image – with each breath, Saul was seeking the destruction of the church! Imagine being a believer in that time and knowing that such a man is seeking you! My friends, this is a reality for some of our brothers and sisters in the Lord around the world today!
- This brings to mind David’s cry to the Lord in Psalm 27 and his boast in the Lord being his Light and Salvation. He says in the midst of those who would seek his life:
- “Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
- Psalm 27:12-14
- “Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
- This brings to mind David’s cry to the Lord in Psalm 27 and his boast in the Lord being his Light and Salvation. He says in the midst of those who would seek his life:
- What a striking image – with each breath, Saul was seeking the destruction of the church! Imagine being a believer in that time and knowing that such a man is seeking you! My friends, this is a reality for some of our brothers and sisters in the Lord around the world today!
- So, this murder breathing man, Saul goes to the high priest and requests letters to the synagogues in Damascus. These letters would have been something like extradition orders. Specifically, if anyone belonged to “the Way” Saul would bring them bound to Jerusalem.
- Once again, as Luke is reporting this, he is careful to mention that Saul was going to bring both men and women back to Jerusalem. His goal was total annihilation of these believers. And perhaps that is why he wanted to go to Damascus — with persecution underway in Jerusalem, perhaps he could go to another “hub” and stop the spread of this pernicious teaching.
- I always find it interesting when we see ways that the early believers described themselves. In this passage, we see one of the earliest titles or descriptors of Christians — that is “belonging to the Way.”
- What does that mean? It could mean “the way of salvation” — this phrase was used by the demon possessed slave girl in Acts 16:17. That would align with Jesus’ use of “the Way” in John 14:6, referring to Himself.
- It could mean “the way of life [in walking with God]” — Apollos was instructed in “the way of the Lord” and more accurately by Priscilla and Aquila in “the way of God” (Acts 18:25-26). And this use of “the way” is frequent throughout the wisdom literature of the Old Testament.
- And perhaps it is not meant to be an either / or discussion — rather a both / and.
- However we understand this title “the Way” — To Saul “the Way” was leading people away from what he believed was true – and to him, worse yet, they were making blasphemous claims.
- And so, we join Saul as he approached Damascus together with his traveling companions.
Part 2: Saul is Confronted by Christ
- As he approached Damascus, around noon (22:6) he was surrounded by “a light from heaven.” In the telling of his conversion in Acts chapters 22 and 26, this light outshined the noonday sun! Imagine! Something shining brighter than the unveiled sun — as though the sun’s light were a shadow.
- And Saul, understandably, falls to the ground and hears a voice… “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
- Imagine! Whoever this voice belongs to, they know his name. And whoever this voice belongs to obviously is of some amazing glory. And terrifying more — whoever this voice belongs to has asked why Saul is persecuting him!! If the light of his presence is enough to knock Saul to the ground — what would become of him now?
- Saul asks, “Who are you, Lord?” And the voice responds, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Three quick notes:
- (1) Saul addresses the voice as “Lord” — minimally, Saul recognizes “the voice” as being supreme over him by nature of the bright light.
- (2) The Voice uses the same Greek “ego eimie” construction as the “I am” statements in the Gospel of John.
- (3) Jesus says that Saul is persecuting HIM.
- What volumes this speaks to those who belong to Jesus! He is intimately connected to them, aware of their suffering, they identify with HIM and HE identifies with them. When you attack the sheep, you are attack the shepherd.
- Imagine now being in Saul’s sandals – you don’t know what is next – you don’t know if this glorious One will strike you down in retaliation for the persecution… what a shock must have been the following words: “But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”
- Imagine also being the travel companions — you see the bright light (26:13) and you hear a voice… but you cannot find anyone who is speaking – nor, as we learn later in 22:9 could you understand the voice. What would they have felt and thought as they lead Saul by the hand into Damascus?
- For three days Saul was without sight and he did not eat or drink anything. And that, understandably so. It would have been quite unsettling no only losing your eyesight, but also this encounter. And now, three days of silence. The waiting must have been tormenting.
- This Jesus whom Saul thought to be a fake and a sham has appeared, in glory, to him!
- Think about this – if Saul was a member of the council present for the murder of Stephen in Jerusalem — it is very well likely that he, at the very least, was aware of Jesus’ trial and execution when they were occurring. Not only was Saul persecuting Jesus – but he also — at the very least — belonged to the group who put Jesus to death!
- What was to become of Saul?
Part 3: Ananias of Damascus
- There are times that the Lord directly intervenes in our lives – but it would seem that the regular way in which the Lord choses to operate is through means – specifically the means of His people. Saul’s conversion is a mixture of both! Not only does the Lord appear to Saul on the road, but also three days later He used Ananias to be a part of the process.
- The Lord appears to Ananias in a vision and calls on him by name. Ananias responds with same response of God’s servants throughout the Old Testament, “Here I am” (consider Abraham – Genesis 22; Jacob – Genesis 31 and 46; Moses – Exodus 3; Samuel – 1 Samuel 3; and Isaiah – Isaiah 6).
- The Lord Jesus gives Ananias specific instructions how to find Saul — and furthermore, He informs Ananias that Saul has already had a vision that “a man named Ananias [would] come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight” (Acts 9:12).
- Isn’t that beautiful — and a solid reminder — the Lord has a plan, He is working it days before Ananias is aware that he is even part of the picture, and now Ananias is invited to join the work of God in bringing the most unlikely convert into the fold!
- Friends, if the Lord gives you a clear prompting to speak to someone, do not hesitate — He may have already plowed the ground and prepared the soil, you have only to plant the seed!
- Isn’t that beautiful — and a solid reminder — the Lord has a plan, He is working it days before Ananias is aware that he is even part of the picture, and now Ananias is invited to join the work of God in bringing the most unlikely convert into the fold!
- Ananias baulks at the idea of going to this Saul of Tarsus – for the news had spread outside of Jerusalem about the Saul who has done “much evil to [God’s] saints at Jerusalem” (9:13) — and furthermore, Ananias is aware that he comes with authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon the name of Jesus (9:14)!
- But the Lord will hear no excuses from Ananias, He repeats the command, “Go.” And this time, the Lord provides a reason: “he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name” (Acts 9:15-16).
- The one who caused great suffering would endure great suffering — but not for retribution, for the sake, for the honor, for the glory of Christ Jesus’ name.
- The rest of the book of Acts is a continual fulfillment of these words in verse 15. Saul will carry the name of Christ before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel
- And Ananias obeys the Lord. He goes, enters the house, lays his hands on Saul and speaks to him.
- Ananias calls him “Brother Saul” — what a beautiful picture. Ananias enters the room of a man who just days ago would have arrested him and drug him to Jerusalem to answer for his participation in “the Way.”
- And we see three things happen to Saul: (1) after Ananias prays, Saul regains his sight; (2) Saul is filled with the Holy Spirit; and (3) Saul is baptized.
- What happens next?
Part 4: The Proclamation Proceeds
- Saul immediately begins by proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues saying, “He is the Son of God” (present tense) and proving that Jesus was the Christ – the fulfillment of all Israel’s hopes.
- After many days proclaiming Jesus, the Jews and religious leaders plotted to kill him. They posted guards around the gates to ensure they would catch their prey. But his disciples helped him escape.
- Saul would then return to Jerusalem where he attempted to join the believers. However, they all had their suspicions — but one man was willing to extend the hand of fellowship — Barnabas. He brought him to the apostles and explained the whole story
- So, Saul continued to boldly preached in the name of the Lord Jesus in Jerusalem until another plot to kill him sent him away.
- This is just the beginning of Saul’s story — we will rejoin him in chapters 12 and 13.
Conclusion & Application:
- So my friends, what can we take away from this account of Saul’s conversion?
- (1) In the midst of very real threats, we can take courage that we will “look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:13)
- (2) God can take the hardest opposition against His kingdom and turn them to the greatest proclaimers of His kingdom.
- (3) God is doing work in the hearts of people around the world, preparing them for the seed of the Gospel which YOU are called to sow. Will you go? Will you obey the Spirit leading you?
- (4) If Jesus is who He says He is — we cannot help but proclaim Him! Saul immediately went about Proclaiming Jesus with even more ferver and passion than he had previous persecuted Jesus!
- The task is now for us to obey! How do you plan on obeying the call of the Gospel? Both to be saved and to share that saving grace with others?
- I encourage you to read Romans 10:13-15.
“ESV Study Bible” (https://amzn.to/3azWAlJ)
_____________________________________
Affiliate links means I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. This helps support Byte-Size Theology at no additional cost to you!