Acts 9:1-19

The Encounter…

v1. Paul, or Saul, is described in some translations as “one breathing out fire,” thereby providing an image of a dragon that seeks whom he may devour. The Greek word translated “breathing” does not refer to breathing out, but to breathing in. Breathing in threats of murder and destruction may sound strange, but the idea is that Saul was so passionately determined to carry on his persecution against the nascent Christian community that he was like a wild beast that snorts before it attacks. Bulls paw the earth and snort before charging in the bullring, and in order to snort, they first have to inhale. That is the image Luke gives to describe the intensity of Saul’s fierce hostility as he made his way toward Damascus.

v2 Before Saul left, he went to the high priest seeking authorization to carry forth the persecution that he had initiated in Jerusalem against those who were in the northern regions of Damascus, which is one of the oldest cities in the history of the world. Damascus was known even to Abraham. There was a large settlement of Jews in Damascus. During the reign of Nero, Nero killed ten thousand Jews assembled there. So Saul, suspecting that some of the Jews who lived in Damascus had already been seduced by the proclamation of the Christians, got the necessary papers to go to each synagogue in that area with legal authority from the theocratic leader of Israel, the high priest, to place them under arrest and then bring them back to Jerusalem for further punishment, perhaps even execution.

Why is this story so important for the history of Christianity?

....One of the most serious questions that the early church faced was the question of the legitimacy of the apostleship of Paul, who lacked the two primary criteria for apostleship that the original Twelve had: they had been eyewitnesses of the resurrection and had received a direct and immediate call by Jesus. The criteria necessary for becoming an Apostle line up with biblical history. Old Testament prophets were called directly by God. That is why prophets such as Jeremiah, Amos, and Isaiah were careful to give the circumstances of their call.

Since an Apostle had to have been called directly by Christ, and since Paul had not been an eyewitness of the resurrection, this occurrence on the road to Damascus became supremely important for validating his authority in the early church. Given his recent history of persecuting the church, the first Christians were not likely to trust his call to a position of church leadership. His reputation had preceded him, so his coming would have seemed to the fledgling church much as it would seem to us if Osama Bin Laden were to come to America claiming to be a convert to U.S. patriotism.

The story of Saul’s conversion provides the necessary credential—he was called directly and immediately by Christ, and that call is repeated later in the book of Acts. Many say that Luke wrote Acts not simply to tell us of the marvelous activity of the Holy Spirit but also to provide an apologia, an apology, for the credentials of Saul of Tarsus, who after his conversion was called Paul.

Encounter with the Ascended Lord

v3 Jesus showed up. The Greek word used here for “shone” is the same word used in the Greek language to describe the light that comes with a bolt of lightning.this light was brighter than the sun.

v4 Jesus asks him an important question.? Why are you persecuting me? From this question we can draw the conclusion that if someone is persecuting a Christian than he is in fact persecuting Jesus himself.

( If we are being faithful to Jesus the problem other people have is not with us, but with him )

v5. So Paul says who are you Lord? He is politely answering while at the same time giving a real recognition of who he is talking to whether he believes it or not.

and he answers I am Jesus…

Whom you are persecuting…

I found it interesting that the Esv does not have what many other translations have It is hard for you to kick against the goads.

One of the commentaries I was reading said..That obscure reference to goads may not be meaningful to us, but in antiquity much of produce was hauled on oxcarts, and sometimes oxen, just like mules, were very stubborn, so the drivers had to whip them a bit to get them moving. Sometimes the touch of the whip would make the oxen all the more stubborn, and they would kick against the oxcart, which could shatter it. To prevent that, the drivers mounted goads or spikes in the front of the oxcart, and when the oxen kicked against the goad, the discomfort from doing so would get them moving. Sometimes when an ox kicked against the goad, the goad would pierce its foot and cause it more pain, so it would get even angrier and kick the goad again. So Jesus was saying, “Saul, you stupid ox! You are no different from oxen that kick against the ox goad as you carry on your hostility toward Me.” Resisting the lordship of Christ is not only sinful, but it is stupid, because God has raised Him from the grave, placed Him at His right hand, and given Him all authority in heaven and on earth and has called every person to bow the knee before Him. To resist Him is foolish.

v6 Jesus tells him what to do… Go to the city..

v7. Then men who were traveling with him stood speechless. Hearing the voice but seeing no one.

That seen would have been incredible. Seeing this bright light on Saul. Hearing a voice but seeing nothing.

v8. Saul rises up and though his eyes are open he cannot see. He had to be led into town. A town that was not ready to see him, got a man who could not see.

v9. Three days in darkness, hunger, and thirst.

v10-12 introduced to a new person. Ananias. He is a disciple of Jesus.

He is instructed to go to a place called Strait… and look for Saul of Tarsus who will be praying.. This man had a vision you were coming.

v13-14 Ananias shows some fear.. and some questioning… Saying this man does evil against your people.. and he has a decree against your people…

v15. Never the less Jesus says Go. This is what Jesus calls us to do . Go and do his will whatever that may be.

Jesus tells him why he must go, because Saul will be a chosen vessel to go before the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Isreal.

A Vessel is an instrument, or a tool.

v16 is a call on Sauls life. That he must suffer for the name of Jesus. ( Same call for us )

v. 17 so he goes..and does what the Lord calls him to do. We have recently been talking about some of the faithful people who witnesses to those who did great things… Little things like this just show how much God cares about everyone who is writing his story.

v18-19

HE was restored. ( scales fell from his eyes ) There was something literally on his eyes keeping him from not seeing.

when he was saved. he stayed a little while with the disciples of the town. He went seeking to destroy, but ended up being saved.

Im going to stop here in the story this week, because I want to focus on his response to being saved next week.

What are some things we can take away from these verses?

Salvation is by grace.

Conversions involve a life changing encounter with Jesus Christ.

Conversion involves having the Holy Spirit.

God can save the worst of sinners.