Chapter 9

Acts 9 (New American Standard Bible)

by Lane Rogers

Phillip disappears abruptly from our story and equally abruptly the young man named Saul disappears hot on the trail of those Christians. On his way to Damascus Saul experienced a blinding light and heard the voice of Jesus telling him to stop persecuting Christians. Meanwhile, a disciple in Damascus was prepared to meet Saul, help him with his eyes, and baptize him.

Paul recounted the substance of this story twice more. Once before the crowd in Jerusalem (22:3-16) and in his testimony before Agrippa and Festus in 26:4-18. Paul recalled this incident himself in 1st Cor. 15:8f; Galatians 1:12-17; Phil. 3:4-7; and 1st Tim. 1:12-16.

The Conversion of Saul

1Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,2and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem

Verse 1-2___Damascus is about 130 miles northeast of Jerusalem. Paul entered this city with his eyes closed. We are told in the above verses that Paul (Saul) was aggressive. He asked for letters. The High Priest at Jerusalem, by virtue of his office, would have jurisdiction over all the Jews in all the synagogues. This high priest would have been Caiaphas, AD 18-37.

The description of Christians as "those of the Way" is peculiar to Acts. It presupposes the use of the term "the Way" in effect Christianity (19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22). Behind this term lies the concept of "the way of the Lord"(18:25f) as the "way of salvation" (16:17). God had appointed the "way" or manner of life people ought to live if they wish to be saved (Matthew 28:19-20); the Christian claim that theirs was the way of God led to the absolute use of the term as it is here. It is interesting that this same term is used in the Dead Sea Scrolls in the same manner( 1QS 9:17f; 10:21; 11:13).

On the Road to Damascus , 9:3-8a

. 3As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him;4and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"5And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" And He said, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,6but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do."7The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.8Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus

Verse 3-8___ It was about 140 miles from Jerusalem to Damascus. Paul may have been making about 25 miles per day. It here that Saul was converted to Paul. Also see 1st Cor. 14:2. In 22 we are told "about noon."

1. A light flashed from heaven.

2. Paul fell to the ground.

3. A voice asked Saul why he was persecuting ME.

4. Jesus identifies Himself.

5. Saul receives his orders.

6. The men with Saul heard the voice but saw no one.

7. Saul got up from the ground but could not see anything. His eyes were damaged.

See Galatians 4:12-16 and Galatians 6:11,17

In Damascus ________9:9-19a

.9And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.10Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord."11And the Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying,12and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight."13But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem;14and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name."15But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;16for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name's sake."17So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."18And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized;19and he took food and was strengthened.

Verse 9___ Could not see, did not eat or drink for three days.

Verses 10-12__A Christian named Ananias (cf. 22:12 for his good character), had a dream and was told where to find Saul. Saul also had this dream.

Verses 13-14__ Ananias knew about Saul and protested. It may be noted in these verses the two descriptions of Christians used here. The saints (9: 32,41; 26:10; cf. 20:32; 26:18) is a common term used in Paul's writings. Those who call upon your name echoes 2:21 (Joel 2:32) and recurs in 22:16 in a command of Paul himself to be baptized (also see 1st Cor. 1:2).

Verses 15-16___Some claim that Ananias's statement was in effect disobedience to the Lord and he should have realized that the Lord knew better than he did. In 22:14-16 what is in effect a parallel to the present statement appears in the form of divine instruction given by Paul to his service; he has chosen him as his instrument for the task of bearing His name to the Gentiles, kings, and people of Israel. The idea of divine choice here corresponds with that expressed 22:14 and 26:16 and also with Paul's own conviction in Galatians 1:15. To carry my name is the usual expression which signifies the bearing of witness to Jesus (9:27). The Gentiles, kings, and people of Israel are the three main groups Paul tries to convert.

Verses 17-19a___ So Ananias did what he was told. He addressed Paul as a brother and he laid hands on him. In this context, this act is a symbol of healing (Luke 4:40) through the conveying of a blessing.

40While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and laying His hands on each one of them, He was healing them. Lk. 4:40

This is also the manner in which the Holy Spirit (the Empowering of the Spirit) was transferred but in this context that cannot be determined. The return of Paul's sight was indicated by the falling away of some kind of film from his eyes ( 4:12-16 and Galatians 6:11,17) and Paul was baptized (immersed).

Paul Begins to Preach__9:19b-31

Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus,20and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God."21All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, "Is this not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name, and who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?"22But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ.23When many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted together to do away with him,24but their plot became known to Saul They were also watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death;

25but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket.26When he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.27But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.28And he was with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord.29And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death.

Luke emphasizes how Paul was no sooner converted and called to Jesus Christ than he began to fulfill his commission associating himself with existing Christians in Damascus and preaching to unbelieving Jews. It wasn't long before his work aroused opposition and he had to escape town. When he arrived in Jerusalem he was not welcomed by local Christians until Barnabas backed him and introduced him to the apostles. It was not long until once again Paul had to flee, this time to Tarsus.

Verses 19-22__ The brief period that Paul spent with the Christians in Damascus is to be placed before his visit to Arabia (Gal. 1:16f). It is true that Paul said there that "he did not consult with any many but departed for Arabia" but we ought not take that completely literal. In the context of Galatians he meant that he did not take orders from any human. It is significant that his preaching is summed up as teaching that Jesus was the Son of God.

Verse 9: 23a__In Arabia__Gal. 1:17a

We only have one sentence that tells us about this part of Paul's life. The construction of the sentence in Gal. 1:17, 18 seems to indicate that the three year period means it was three years from his conversion to his return to Damascus. What Saul did in Arabia is the subject of much debate. The fact that there were many cities in Damascus adjunct to Arabia may help. Indeed, The Governor of Damascus was under the authority of Aretas king of Arabia (II Cor. 11:32). Knowing that Damascus was a city of Arabia may help clarify things.

Verses 23b-25__Gal. 1:17b

Upon returning to the city of Damascus Paul meets opposition. The Jews want to eliminate him. A plot was hatched to kill Paul, but the news leaked out and word quickly came to Paul. In Verse 25__we find that the disciples knew about the guards being at the gate and let him out of the city over the wall at night.

Verses 9:26__29__In Jerusalem-- Gal. 1:17b-19

Saul's (Paul's ) destination when he climbed out of the basket was the city of Zion. One must wonder what he was thinking as he approached this great city that he once served. Remember, it had been three years since the word came to Paul. The disciples in Jerusalem were skeptical.

Verses 27-29__Luke says that Barnabas was a "good man (11:24)." Barnabas and Paul appeared before the "apostles." We know from Paul's account of this meeting that they only saw Peter and James, the brother of Jesus. The term "apostle" is applied in a generic sense meaning "one sent." Anyone who was sent may have been an apostle (14:14).

The three points in defense of Saul by Barnabas were:

1. Jesus appeared to him.

2. Jesus spoke to him.

3. In Damascus Saul had preached Jesus.

Saul was accepted and continued there 15 days. Saul went back to his own Synagogue but received no better reception than did Stephen. As they plotted to kill Stephen, now they plot to kill Saul.

Verse 9:30a __At Caesarea.

But when the brethren learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus

When the plan for Saul's death was known he was taken under the protection of the brethren in Jerusalem and sent to Caesarea. From here he sailed to the port of his home town, Tarsus in Cilicia.

Verses 9:30b__Gal. 1:21-24 In Tarsus

What occurred when Paul met his parents and probably his wife and children we do not know. Whatever happened here it did not deter Saul form his mission.

Peter's Ministry

31So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.

This verse intervenes between the work of Peter and the work of Paul. The comfort of the Holy Spirit would be the empowering of the Holy Spirit promised to the disciples as their helper (John 14:16ff).

In Lydda __9:32-35__

32Now as Peter was traveling through all those regions, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.33There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years, for he was paralyzed.34Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed." Immediately he got up.35And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

The increase and health of the church in Canaan probably prompted Peter to attempt an evangelistic tour of the territory. In verse 32b__We are told that there were "saints" in Lydda. Who brought the gospel to Lydda is unknown.

In this city was a man named "Aeneas, who was well known throughout the district. He was confined to bed for eight years. He was "palsied." Here, Peter uses the empowering of the Holy Spirit and commands this man to get up and make his bed. Indeed, the word spoken by the apostles was confirmed by this sign which followed (Mark 16:20). Many in the district believed.

At Joppa 9:36-43___

36Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did.37And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room.

38Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him, "Do not delay in coming to us."39So Peter arose and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them.40But Peter sent 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.41And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.42It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.43And Peter stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.

While Peter was healing at Lydda there was one at the town of Joppa who was near death. Yes, before Peter finished at Lydda, this woman from Joppa died. She was a true saint. Luke gives her name in two languages. In Aramaic her name was "Tabitha." In Greek she was known as "Dorcas." Joppa would have been about 3 or 4 hours walk from Lydda.

Verses 39-43___Two men were sent from Joppa to Lydda to fetch Peter but when they returned with Peter is seems they had no idea what Peter might do. Dorcas was a woman loved by the community. Peter first kneels near the dead body and prays a prayer of faith. He spoke two words "Tabitha arise." Next Peter gave her his hand and she stood up. Word of this "resurrection" spread like wildfire through the district.