ACTS Go Tell the Good News Lesson 9

ACTS Go Tell the Good News! Lesson 9 Acts 9: 1 -31

Acts 26: 9 -11 REVIE W “…many of the saints I shut up in prison, Severe Persecution having received Arises (Acts 8: 1 -4) authority from the • Saul of Tarsus was leading a great persecution against the church • Saul makes havoc of the church • Entering EVERY HOUSE • Dragging off MEN and WOMEN • Committing them to PRISON chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities. ”

The Conversion of Saul (Acts 9: 1 -19; 22: 1 -16) • Saul continues to breathe “threats and murder” against the disciples. • He receives authority from the High Priest to travel to Damascus to arrest any disciples he finds in the synagogues. (cf. Acts 22: 5)

“As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. ” (Acts 9: 3) The road to Damascus Israeli – Syrian border 11/03/16

The Conversion of Saul (Acts 9: 1 -19; 22: 1 -16; 26: 15 -18) • Saul falls to the ground and hears a voice asking “Saul, why are you persecuting Me? ” (9: 4) • Note: Saul’s companions hear the sound of the voice but don’t understand the words (cp. Acts 9: 7 with 22: 9) • Saul asks the identity of the one who is speaking. • “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. ” (9: 5) • What does Jesus mean by, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads”? • Saul was “trembling and astonished” and he asked “What do you want me to do? ” (9: 6) • The Lord tells him to go into Damascus and there he would be told what to do. • The Lord informs Saul that He is sending him to Gentiles (Acts 26: 15 -18)

The Conversion of Saul (Acts 9: 1 -19; 22: 1 -16) • Saul is blinded, and his fellow travelers must lead him by the hand to Damascus, where he fasts for three days and nights (9: 7 -9) • The Lord appears to Ananias in a vision and tells him to go to Saul (9: 9 -16) • Ananias is reluctant, but the Lord reveals his Saul, he goes. • Ananias lays hands on Saul who then receives his sight. • Saul is immediately baptized to wash away sins (cf. 22: 16) when intentions for Roman Gate on Straight Street, Damascus PHOTO by Ferrell Jenkins

Saul’s early life as a Disciple (Acts 9: 19 -22; Galatians 3: 13 -17) • Immediately Saul begins to preach in the synagogues of Damascus (9: 19 -22) • He “confounds the Jews, ” proving that Jesus is the Christ. • At some point, Saul (Paul) travels to Arabia and returns to preach in Damascus (Galatians 1: 15 -17) • The Jews plot to kill Paul, but when the plot is uncovered, disciples help him escape (9: 2325)

Saul’s early life as a Disciple (Acts 9: 19 -22; Galatians 3: 13 -17) • Saul returns to Jerusalem three years after leaving for Damascus, but he is not initially received by the disciples there. Why not? (9: 26 -31, Gal. 1: 18) • Barnabas helps Paul gain acceptance. • Paul preaches boldly, but after just 15 days, an attempt is made to kill him, so he is sent to Tarsus.