Saul's Conversion

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DO NOT FORGET TO UNMUTE

It’s the 27th day of October— Tuesday

Yesterday right here at “The Message” we looked into the encounter of Philip and Ethiopian eunuch— while preaching the good news in Samaria— an angel told Philip to go south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza— the Holy Spirit told Philip to stay near the chariot carrying the eunuch— when he overheard that the eunuch was reading the scriptures, he asked if he understands what he’s reading— the eunuch said, how can I if no one explains it to me

Philip was set up for a divine opportunity that led to the belief and baptism of the seeking eunuch— from this story we learned:

THE HOLY SPIRIT LEADS ME TO MINISTER TO THE RIGHT PERSON, AT THE RIGHT PLACE, ON THE RIGHT TIME

I MUST HELP THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE SEEKING JESUS

Before we begin with chapter 9 today— I’d like to suggest for everyone to start a “watch party” if you would— I just thought that it’s an easy way for you to share what we learn here if you so desire!

Now, let’s begin with chapter 9 of the Book of Acts— the first thing that you will see in this chapter is the conversion of Saul— this is a very important history in Christianity because this is the turning point of Saul [later to be also known as Paul], one, if not the greatest Christian that had ever lived— converted from a persecutor to preacher— from killing Christians to saving the lost— a complete 180 degree turn around— a great life example fo us all

Open your Bible to ACTS 9:1-18, once you get there type, “let’s begin with chapter 9!”

When reading in advance, whenever you’re studying God’s Word— look for words that defines that CHARACTER of God, COMMANDS to obey, PROMISES to claim, good EXAMPLES to follow and bad examples to avoid, ENCOURAGEMENTS & CHALLENGES to keep you going, reasons to be THANK GOD for, PRAYERS to pray

READ ACTS 9:1-18

BOOK

Acts 9:1–18 NIV

1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. 10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,

WHAT: The conversion of Saul after his encounter with Jesus

WHERE: Road to Damascus— the modern-day Syria— northeast of Jerusalem— it was an important commercial center and a key stop along the trade route between Egypt and Mesopotamia [SHOW MAP]

WHEN: During the early church

WHO: Saul and his companions, Ananias [not the high priest]— not the husband of Sapphira who was struck to death after cheating

WHY: To transform Saul that he may be the Lord’s instruments to the Gentiles

LOOK

HE WENT TO THE HIGH PRIEST AND ASKED HIM FOR LETTERS

Letter of authority to the synagogues in Damascus— to authorized him to arrest Christians and take them back to Jerusalem as prisoners

“The Way”— an early name for the community of believers of Jesus Christ— ACTS 19:9, 24:14

As they got closer to Damascus, a sudden bright light from heaven flashed around him- he fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him...

SAUL, SAUL, WHY DO YOU PERSECUTE ME?

This experience of Jesus’ glory is so overwhelming that it forces Saul to the ground

The Lord’s repetition of his name may suggest a sense of urgency or of compassion— Martha, Martha— Simon, Simon— In persecuting the church— Saul persecutes Jesus Himself

Saul asked— who are you Lord?

I AM JESUS WHOM YOU ARE PERSECUTING

Like Moses, Saul is here being called by Yahweh to rescue a people— in his case, the Gentiles

Jesus said, get up and go and you will be told!

SAUL GOT UP FROM THE GROUND, BUT WHEN HE OPENED HIS EYES HE COULD SEE NOTHING

His blindness may be the result of the intense glory of Jesus appearance— or it may be an outward manifestation of his own spiritual blindness— it could also be the Lord’s way in humbling Saul

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias [obviously not the high priest and not the husband of Sapphira who already died]— The Lord called to him in a vision, Ananias!— the Lord told him...

GO TO THE HOUSE OF JUDAS ON STRAIGHT STREET AND ASK FOR A MAN FROM TARSUS NAMED SAUL

Straight street is a major road in Damascus

While he was praying— he saw you [Ananias] in a vision who came and placed his hands to restore his sight— Jesus sent Ananias to fulfill the vision of Saul— to answer his prayers— but Ananias was reluctant to go...

I HAVE HEARD MANY REPORTS ABOUT THIS MAN AND ALL THE HARM HE HAS DONE

to your holy people in Jerusalem— in fact he is on the way to Damascus with authority from the high priest to continue his persecution of the church— to arrest all who believed in Jesus— but the Lord said to Ananias…

GO THIS MAN IS MY CHOSEN INSTRUMENT TO PROCLAIM MY NAME TO THE GENTILES

Jesus reveals that He has chosen and transformed Saul precisely so that he will carry the Lord’s name to the Gentiles [non-Jewish people]— and even suffer for it—

Ananias went to the house and placed his hands on Saul and said— Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road as you are coming here has sent me…

HAS SENT ME SO THAT YOU MAY SEE AGAIN AND BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

Ananias addressed Saul as brother— as he laid his hand on Saul, he receives the empowering of the Holy Spirit for his mission— ACTS 2:4

Scales fell off from Saul’s eyes— this could be a figure of speech to depict the sense of sudden restoration of his sight..

HE COULD SEE AGAIN. HE GOT UP AND WAS BAPTIZED

He was blind, but now he can see— just like the man born blind healed by Jesus— JOHN 9:25

A couple of things resonated to me— Jesus said, get up and go and you will be told! Saul was blind then he was able to see!

TOOK

GET UP AND GO AND YOU WILL BE TOLD

I WAS BLIND BUT NOW I SEE

SING

Agape Worship Team— 10,000 Reasons