Read Acts 9; 22:3-16; 26:9-18
- What is meant by “breathing threats and murder”?
Comments: To threaten and kill those who called themselves Christians. Saul’s over-riding purpose was to rid the world of these blasphemers who claimed this man Jesus had not only risen from the dead by was the Messiah and Son of God. Note that he went to the high priests to get permission to round up these people. (9:1) - Whom did Saul want to arrest? Why?
Comments: Men and women of the Way. They claimed that Jesus was the Son of God and that after he was crucified, he rose from the dead. Was Saul one of those who rose up with the Libertines against Stephen in Acts 6:9? He was, after all, from Cilicia. Note: The Way is the only proper collective noun used in Acts to refer to those who were disciples. At my count, it appears three times:,in Acts: 9:2, 22:4, and 24:14. (9:2) - Briefly describe the conversation between the Lord and Saul.
Comments: After Saul falls to the ground from being struck by a bright light[was he walking, or on a horse?], Jesus asks Saul why he is persecuting Him. [To persecute Christ’s people is to persecute Him, the other side of Matthew 25:40, 45, where Jesus says that to do good to others – or to neglect others – is to do the same to Him.] Paul asks, “Who are you, Lord?” Jesus answers, “Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Go into Damascus and you will be told what you must do.” (Acts 9:3-6) - Describe Saul’s condition in Damascus.
Comments: He was blind and stunned into silence and prayer, having no food or drink. He is also repentant, as indicated by the new direction his life takes after this. In his writings, he never seems to forget what he did to the disciples of Christ. In 1 Timothy 1:15, he refers to himself as the “chief of sinners.” In Romans 1:14, he calls himself a “debtor, both to Greeks and Barbarians, the wise and the foolish.” We cited examples of those we know who, having been entrenched in sinful lifestyles, have a fervor for God not seen in some of us who did have to leave as much behind when we became Christians. (9:9) - What instructions did the Lord give Ananias?
Comments: To go to a house on Straight Street, and find the man praying, to restore his sight, and to instruct him of the Lord’s will concerning him. (9:11; 22:14-16) Note: God uses men to teach his gospel. 1 Corinthians 1:21 refers to it as “the foolishness of preaching.” - Why was Saul baptized?
Comments: To wash away his sins. (22:16) - What was Saul’s mission?
Comments: To carry the gospel to Gentiles, kings, and sons of Israel, and to suffer for Jesus’ name sake (9:15). To be a witness to all men (26:16-18); To open men’s eyes to the light – for the forgiveness of their sins (26:19-20). - What did Saul immediately begin to do?
Comments: Preach Christ as the Son of God. (9:20) - How was he received?
Comments: With amazement, distrust, apprehension. The Jews plotted to kill him. (9:21-25). Note: It is thought that at the comma in verse 23 (“when many days had elapsed,”) Saul went away to Arabia and spent three years there before returning to Damascus and facing the persecution by the Jews. Is it a coincidence that he spent the same time in Arabia as the other apostles spent in the presence of Jesus? (See Galatians 1:15-24.) - How did he escape from Damascus?
Comments: Paul’s disciples let him down in a basket through a hole in the city wall after nightfall. This is similar to the ways Rahab helped the spies escape (Joshua 2:15), and Michael helped David escape from those wanting to kill him (1 Samuel 19:12). - How did the disciples in Jerusalem receive Paul?
Comments: With suspicion and fear. (9:26) Note from Don De Witt, in Acts Made Actual, pg. 127:
“What were the thoughts of this humbled Pharisee as he approached the city of Jerusalem, as he looked upon the city wherein he had been trained, where he had so zealously labored for the Law? He would come face to face with many of his old friends. What would they think? But away with these thoughts of retrospect! He must make himself known to the disciples and above all he must meet the apostles.” - Who vouched for him in Jerusalem?
Comments: Barnabas, so-called by the apostles because it means “Son of Encouragement.” (9:27, 4:36) - Where did the brethren take Saul, and where did they send him?
Comments: To Caesarea, to catch a boat (assumed) back home to Tarsus. (9:30)
True or False
- Saul asked for authority to kill all Christians he found. False
He gathered them to be put into prisons (9:2; 22:5; 26:10,11). In 26:10, he confessed to casting his vote against them when they were being put to death. He also said that he tried to force them to blaspheme. - Saul was stricken by the light halfway between Jerusalem and Damascus. False
He was almost to Damascus when the light struck him. (9:3) - The men with Saul heard the voice, but saw no man. True
(9:7; 22:9) - Saul fasted and prayed without food but did take a little water. False
He took neither food nor water. (9:9) - When the Lord spoke, Saul said, “Here am I, Lord.” False
This was Ananias’s reply to God (9:5, 10) – in the NASV and ASV. Other versions merely read, “Yes, Lord.” The original Greek leaves out the words “Here am,” and merely says “I, Lord.” - Saul lodged in the house of Simon the tanner, by the sea. False
Saul was in the house of Judas, on Straight Street in Damascus, when Ananias found him. (9:11). Peter stayed in the house of Simon the tanner (9:43). - Ananias said, "Brother Saul, arise and be baptized, for you are now saved." False
Ananias said, “Brother Saul, receive your sight!” in 22:13. In 22:16, he said, “And now why do you delay? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.” - When Ananias placed his hands on Saul, it was as if scales dropped from his eyes. True (9:18)
- Saul confounded the Jews at Damascus. True (9:22). Other versions read “baffled.”
- Saul slipped out of the gate at Damascus to escape his enemies. False. He was let out through a hole in the wall. (9:25)
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