25. We Need Each Other

Vs. 20

Give context from the preceding story (Saul’s conversion)

Vs. 19, Saul is spending time with his new brothers in Christ in Damascus. And I think we can assume it was a productive time together...

Saul wastes no time after he’s saved, and in vs. 20 it says, Acts 9:20

Acts 9:20 NKJV

20 Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

What stands out to you in this verse? (Immediately)

Why should the fact Paul immediately went out preaching stand out to us? (This is not typical! Believers typically grow over time and get to that point)

Nothing about Paul’s life, though, was typical.

Is it normal for believers to grow this quickly?

Can you think of any way Paul would have an edge/advantage over other new believers?

OT knowledge

Important Jewish acquaintances

Influence

Paul had a vast understanding of the OT Scriptures, but he was off on the most important thing, which was Christ.

- Can you imagine what would happen when he finally gets it? (Lightbulb flashes)

Vs. 21

Acts 9:21 NKJV

21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?”

If you were a Jew living in Damascus and you saw Saul, would you be a little confused? Why so?

Damascus Jews expectations

Get the total opposite

Hearing rumors about someone you’ve never met...

What made all of this transformation possible in Paul’s life? (God’s grace!)

Vs. 22

Acts 9:22 NKJV

22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

From the Jews being shocked to hear the news, to the boldness of Saul, what do you think Luke is trying to demonstrate to us in these verses? (Paul’s transformation)

Evangelists make this the norm for conversion...

Dramatic experience

Do you think we should expect this kind of conversion for all believers?

What happens for most believers? (Saved as a child at home)

Is one way of being saved superior to the other? Why or why not?

This might seem sort of irrelevant to you now, but one day, you’ll be a camp counsellor and a camper will come to you with a burden of theirs (Preacher said that if they didn’t have a dramatic experience they were not saved). They’ll ask you, “How do I know I’m saved?”

What should we expect to see from someone’s salvation? (Repentance, faith in Christ alone)

Regardless what your story is, there are some things that happen to every true believer after they get saved.

And we actually see these things in vs. 22, what happens to Paul?

Increased in strength = growth!

Confounded the Jews = Testimony to your peers

Has anyone ever noticed that you are different? That you stand out in the croud?

The light shines in the darkness...

Proving Jesus is the Christ = evangelism!

Main point: God transforms every Christian, so much so that the people around you don’t recognize you anymore!

Vs. 23

A lot of story between vs. 22 and 23. Arabian desert, turn to Galatians 1:17

Galatians 1:17 NKJV

17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

3 years of solitude with the Lord, training.

Acts 9:23 NKJV

23 Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him.

Obviously the Jews want to get rid of Paul...

Why do you think Paul’s conversion in particular would’ve sparked extra anger in the Jews’ hearts?

Sense of betrayal

Now a large threat to Judaism

So they make a plan to kill him.

Can you imagine soneome plotting to kill you?

Vs. 24

Even worse than that, can you imagine knowing that someone was hunting you down?

Acts 9:24 NKJV

24 But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him.

Snipers all around St. John

Disguised hitmen at all your regular locations

Track down your every move

Know what you drive

Where you like to eat...

This is intense persecution! And it’s only the beginning for Paul.

Vs. 25

Vs. 25 feels like it’s straight out of a movie!

Acts 9:25 NKJV

25 Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket.

Secret mission: Save Agent Paul

Picture the scene with them

The fact that the disciples have Paul’s back even in a time like this impresses me...

What were the believers putting at risk in doing this?

What principle can we learn from this?

If we want the Lord’s work to be done, we’ve got to support one another!

Vs. 26

Acts 9:26 NKJV

26 And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple.

This would be such a strange feeling, wouldn’t it be?

The Jews want to kill you, so now you turn to the Christians expecting a warm welcome, but what happens then?

Why would it be hard for a Christian to believe that Paul was one of them?

Coming from what they saw, they were quite fearful of Paul. I know in a lot of ways that’s wrong, but do you see any way this fear is a good thing?

Precaution in a hostile world!

We need precaution, discretion. God has given us the innate ability to fear, and it’s actually sometimes for our good.

What would you do if a staunch evolutionist—who also happens to be a murderer—walks into church and wants to be a member? (Hey! Come on in!)

There is a healthy fear, but here it’s actually not necessary.

So, now, Paul is hated by the Jews and unwelcomed by the Christians. He’s kind of in a pickle here, what do you do?

Vs. 27

Who steps into our story in vs. 27?

“But Barnabas”

Usually when you see the word but, some good change is about to happen, it it certainly does here.

Acts 9:27 NKJV

27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

What does Barnabas end up doing in this verse?

Declaring what Paul saw

Barnabas took him

Brought him to the apostles.

In recounting the story of Paul's conversion before the apostles, what do you see Barnabas attempting to do? (interceding)

Barnabas saw the need and he stepped in to help his brother in Christ.

This was risky business for Barnabas. What was on the line for Barnabas here?

As far as the Christians in Jerusalem and the apostles knew, Barnabas was stepping up for a murderer but he was willing to lay aside his reputation and make a risk for a brother. This is a ministry that we see Barnabas doing time and time again. This is the second time in these last verses that Paul needed help and fellow brothers jumped in to help Paul.

How can we be like Barnabas today and step in to help our brothers and sisters in Christ with their needs?

Vs. 28

Based on what we read in verse 28, what was the apostle's decision?

Acts 9:28 NKJV

28 So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out.

Since Barnabas vouched for his character and seeing that Paul was legitimately and miraculously saved, the apostles gave no. The apostles welcomed him in as one of their own.

Did you notice something interesting about the end of verse 28? (He would come in and go out as he willed)

Do any of you have friends that you may as well call family at this point? They're at your place, literally just as much as they are at their own home and they have access to your fridge anytime you want.

This is what I picture when the verse says Paul was coming in and going out. Paul was fully received as family and he was welcomed as an apostle sent by Jesus Christ.

Vs. 29

Acts 9:29 NKJV

29 And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him.

Now that Paul was welcomed in the church, can you see what impact that made on him in verse 29?

Who does Paul talk to halfway down verse 29?

What do we remember about the Hellenists or the Grecians?

Paul very well could have been a Grecian himself, now we see him returning to these people and debating them.

Isn't that incredible?

To see this happen in real life would be so amazing. Can you tell me a celebrity that you can think of who deploys Christianity?

Imagine if that person came to trust in Christ and they became the ones who debate unbelievers. That's a powerful testimony!

Vs. 30

So what do the Christians end up doing when they hear about this in verse 30?

Acts 9:30 NKJV

30 When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.

The Jews end up wanting to kill Paul again. These guys are vicious!

This is the third time now that Paul is in trouble in this passage and believers step in to help. Are you starting to see a theme here? What does God want us to take away from this passage?

Vs. 31

Acts 9:31 NKJV

31 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.

Keeping this whole story in mind why do you think the church was at peace?

Paul got saved and was finally out of the believer's hair. Like Jesus said, Paul was kicking against the goads but now God transformed his life and was no longer opposing the church.

Imagine persecuting the church so hard that when you leave people are relieved and are at peace!

Application

What do you think God is trying to teach us through this account?

Helping one another in time of need

Galatians 6:10 NKJV

10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.