Acts.5

Transformed by Grace: The Story of Saul

Bible Passage: Acts 9:1-19

1.Pursued by Grace - The Persecutor becomes the Pursued.

Acts 7:58 “and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.”

Acts 8:1–2 “Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.”

Acts 9:1–4 “Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?””

The background showed Paul’s zeal at persecuting the church of Christ. Until the day Paul mets the risen Christ in glory. He sees a pure light and hears the voice of God. And like many is knocked to the ground because he is on holy ground.

The Lord asks a penetrating question, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” He knows our name, where we are, what we are doing, and our unquestionable relationship with Him. For Paul Jesus could very well have quoted Matthew 12:30 “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.”

It wasn’t a relative question of how Paul was sinning, Jesus wanted Paul to switch sides. He was looking for a change of heart that replaces fear with faith. Jesus is not acting as a Judge, but as the Savior. Asking Paul to believe.

2. Point of Encounter

Acts 9:5–9 “And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” 6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.”

Paul needed to be sure it was Jesus so he asked, “Who are You, Lord?”. When Jesus answered as the Great I Am Paul believed and received everlasting life. Now sure of who he was talking to Paul asks with a trembling and astonished voice, “Lord what do You want me to do?”

Paul has entered into Jesus’ service and immediately is told where to go and what to do. And he was deprived of his sight. There can be many spiritual explanations of circumstances surrounding Paul’s encounter with Jesus and the next few days, but perhaps the most important thing to note is the amazing transformation from murderous zealot to humble and obedient believer.

3. Partners in Grace

Acts 9:10–14 “Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” 13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.””

For Paul’s ministry to have effect he was going to have to be joined to the body of Christ, baptized into the church, and filled with the Spirit. As an “exception to the rule” this was going to be accomplished by a proxy named Ananias. Paul needed to be humbled to come to the church and the church would also have to submit to the plan of God in humility to receive this newest disciple.

Grace would rule to give a sinner perfect forgiveness and teach the church how to forgive the worst sinners. Grace was the remedy for the chief of sinners, 1 Timothy 1:15 “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”

4. Purpose in Transformation

Acts 9:15–19 “But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” 17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. 19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.”

One of Paul’s important theological realizations is the theme of the body of Christ, the church, and our baptism into it. Paul frequently use of the term “in Christ” denotes the positional truth of believers in relation to our Savior and His body.

Here we see Paul’s first hand account of his first acquaintance with the body of Christ. With some fearful trepidation, Paul gets welcomed to the church. The church, through Ananias, lays hands on Paul. Thus begins a lifetime of service for the apostle to the gentiles. All by a ministry of grace for the greatest apostle of grace.

Who was Paul and Why was he so important?

To understand what Paul means to the church look at his doctrine

Pauline Theology - How did Paul view the world? What was his understanding of God, and His word. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1 “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” In order to imitate or follow him we need to exegete his words and actions to see what we are to do, what is the example we are to follow. Remember we are not following a man, but as that man followed Jesus. Paul took Jesus’ teachings and put them into a theology. He was a scholar that gave us many of the doctrines of the church. Remember that Paul wrote Scripture by inspiration of the Holy Spirit 2 Ti 3:16; 2 Peter 3:15-16.

What is Pauline theology?

Soteriology - Salvation by faith apart from works. Justification, Reconciliation, Redemption, Grace, imputed righteousness Galatians 1:11–12 “But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Ecclesiology - The body of Christ, Separate from the plan for Israel, One new man, gifts for edification, being “in Christ”. Body as temple of Holy Spirit. Ephesians 3:1–6 “For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,”

Eschatology - the prophetic plan for the church, rapture, rewards. 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

A key verse putting forth these three principles; past, present, and future. Salvation, Sanctification, and Glorification. Philippians 3:9–12 “and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.”

Apostolic Miracles of Peter and Paul compared side by side

Healed the Lame

Acts 3:2 (NKJV) 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple;

Acts 14:8 (NKJV) 8 And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked.

Shadow and clothing brought Healing

Acts 5:15 (NKJV) 15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them.

Acts 19:12 (NKJV) 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.

Exorcisms

Acts 5:16 (NKJV) 16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Acts 16:18 (NKJV) 18 And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.

Dealt with Sorcerer

Acts 8:18–20 (NKJV) 18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!

Acts 13:6–10 (NKJV) 6 Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, 7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?

Brought back the Dead

Acts 9:36–40 (NKJV) 36 At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. 37 But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38 And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40 But Peter put 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.

Acts 20:9–10 (NKJV) And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.”

Outline of Paul’s Life

Date: Event

3 AD?: Paul’s Birth

18-30: Training in Jerusalem under Gamaliel

33/34: Conversion on Road to Damascus

34-36: In Arabia

36-46: Tarsus…

46: In Jerusalem

46-48: First Missionary Journey to Asia Minor

48-49: Jerusalem Council

49-52: Second Missionary Journey to Asia Minor and Europe

53-57: Third Missionary Journey to Asia Minor and Europe

58-60: Imprisonment in Caesarea

60-61: Journey to Rome

61-63: Imprisonment in Rome

63-66: Missionary Journey to Spain?

66-67: Imprisonment in Rome and execution

Epistles of Paul

General (theme Soteriology and Eschatology)

Galatians written 48AD from Antioch in Syria

1 Thessalonians written 50AD from Corinth

2 Thessalonians written 50AD from Corinth

1 Corinthians written 55AD from Ephesus

2 Corinthians written 55AD from Macedonia

Romans written 57AD from Corinth

Prison (theme Christology)

Ephesians written 62AD from Rome

Philippians written 63AD from Rome

Colossians written 62AD from Rome

Philemon written 62AD from Rome

Pastoral (theme Ecclesiology)

1 Timothy written 63AD from Macedonia

Titus written 63AD from Corinth

2 Timothy written 67AD from Rome