Saul vs. Jesus

Introduction:

Acts has placed an emphasis on the resurrection, ascension, and exaltation of Jesus.

These point to:

Christ

God (equality with God)

The historical reality of the resurrection makes Jesus’ authority an appropriate question.

To whom should we submit our lives?

Can we live rejecting the authority of Jesus?

We will see that Luke offers more than a historical account of what happened to Saul.

The account makes allusions to creation, the burning bush, the Exodus, and to the prophets/

What authority do we recognize in our lives?

What is the nature of forgiveness, atonement, and repentance?

Saul: Reintroduced

When last Luke referred to Saul, the events around Stephen had a religious effect on him.

He expressed his zeal through intense persecution of those identified with Jesus/Stephen.

This caused many, at least of the Hellenistic Jews, to abandon Jerusalem.

This is why Luke stepped aside to recount the acts of Philip in Samaria.

Those who departed, or at least some, eventually returned to Jerusalem.

Philip, however, kept preaching in other places throughout Palestine.

Luke connects this new information with the old by the word “still.” (Acts 9:1).

The main point about Saul is the fact that he petitioned the high priest for letters to the synagogues at Damascus.

Condition #1: He was still breathing out threats even of murder to the disciples of the Lord.

Condition #2: He approached the high priest.

The key point is that Saul asked letters for the synagogues at Damascus. He wanted to bring any of those who were of “the way” bound unto Jerusalem.

This is the first time we see the phrase “the way” used to identify followers of Jesus.

It may point toward the understanding that this is a lifestyle.

We should also note Luke’s express usage of the phrase “the disciples of the Lord” in Acts 9:1.

He uses a term that sets the tone for the reader to think about Jehovah.

To follow Jesus is to follow Jehovah.

What are the implications of that?

Jesus and Saul: the Confrontation

Luke establishes the circumstances:

When we was traveling (proceeding)

He came to be near Damascus.

Damascus is located between 180-200 miles from Jerusalem.

Travel might have been as long as a week to arrive.

Suddenly (think of the angels appearing to the shepherds in Lk.), a light from heaven surrounded him.

While here, nothing is said about the time of day, Paul, on two occasions will say it happened around noon.

Acts 22:6; 26:13.

Saul fell to the ground.

A voice speaks to Saul:

He addresses him in a very Hebrew doublet, Saul, Saul.

He asks, “why are you persecuting me?”

This act isn’t merely against others who identify with Jesus.

He persecutes Jesus.

No doubt, at a minimum, this was directed at stamping out any notion that Jesus could be Jehovah incarnate, the Messiah.

Saul responds to the one who addresses him:

Who are you, Lord (sir?)?

Now, the encounter shares similarities with the burning bush.

Whom shall I say sent me?

The identification of Jesus as “I myself.”

This seems to be the key issue that Saul has been struggling with.

This is the key issue for all.

Is Jesus Lord?

Introduction: Part 2

In part one, we observed the central tension between Jesus and Saul.

In part two we need to think about four key issues:

Jesus’ warning to Saul: (see Acts 26:13-14).

The power of conversion: a topic Paul stressed himself (perhaps something to focus on next week as well).

Saul’s thinking about sin prior to this (Romans 7).

The witnesses to the event (it is a physical event).

Jesus, Paul, and Authority

Jesus identifies himself as Yahweh whom Saul persecuted.

Saul, who no doubt thought he was serving Yahweh, now gets confronted that he is persecuting Yahweh.

For, Yahweh is Jesus.

He gives Saul instructions to obey.

In Acts 26:14, Paul recounted what happened that day to Agrippa.

He uses the phrase “πρὸς κέντρα λακτίζω: (an idiom, literally ‘to kick against the goad’) to react against authority in such a way as to cause harm or suffering to oneself—‘to hurt oneself by reacting against a person or command.’ Σαούλ, τί με διώκεις; σκληρόν σοι πρὸς κέντρα λακτίζειν ‘Saul, why are you persecuting me? You are hurting yourself by your resistance’ Ac 26:14.

Acts Paul’s Commission from Christ (26:12–18)

This, however, was not how Paul’s Gentile audience would have understood the words. In the many instances where the proverb occurs in Greek literature, it always has the meaning of resisting one’s destiny or fighting the will of the gods

This implies two things:

Saul’s resistance resulting in self-harm.

The authority of Jesus to whom Saul knows he should submit.

Paul Prior to Conversion

Paul lived troubled over his past persecution of the church.

— Explicit: "how I persecuted (ἐδίωκον) the church of God violently and tried to destroy it."Galatians 1:13 

— Explicit: "because I persecuted (ἐδίωξα) the church of God."1 Corinthians 15:9 (use this one last).

He combines seeing the resurrected Jesus with his persecution of believers.

— Explicit: "as to zeal, a persecutor (διώκων) of the church."Philippians 3:6 

— Explicit: "formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor (διώκτην), and insolent opponent."1 Timothy 1:13 

His thinking about sin and the law:

Romans 7

Eyewitnesses to the Encounter

Saul had other men with him.

This is consistent across all accounts of this narrative.

They stood speechless.

They heard a voice but saw nothing (or no one).

Saul was raised from the ground, but when he opened his eyes, he could not see.

He remained in this blind state for three days.

They led him by hand, and that is how he entered Damascus.

He ate or drank nothing for three days.

Yet more evidence of the resurrection of Jesus.