Acts 9

Biblical People

Saul, Ananias, Dorcus (Tabitha)

Saul’s Journeys

Saul journeys from Jerusalem to Damascus to seek out Christians (9:1)

Saul spends time in Arabia (Gal 1:17)

Saul returns to Jerusalem (Acts 9:26)

Saul flees from Jerusalem to Tarsus (via Caesarea) (Acts 9:30)

Map of Saul’s journeys

Peter’s Journeys

Peter journeys to Lydda and heals the paralyzed Aeneas (Acts 9:32)

Peter journeys to Joppa and raises Tabitha (Dorcus) from the dead (Acts 9:36)

Map of Peter’s journeys.

Peter and Paul’s Ministries

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament Chapter 9

The conversion of Paul is the great turning-point in God’s dealings with Israel. His whole program for the evangelization of the world depended on this unusual man. If we are to rightly divide the Word of Truth, we must keep in mind that Peter and Paul in the Book of Acts represent two different ministries. Note these contrasts:

Peter

1. One of the 12 apostles

2. Centered in Jerusalem

3. Ministered mainly to Israel

4. Called on earth by Christ

5. Saw Christ’s glory on earth

Paul

1. Called apart from the 12 apostles

2. Centered in Antioch

3. Ministered to the Gentiles

4. Called by Christ from heaven

5. Saw Christ’s glory in heaven

Biblical Events

Saul’s persecution of the church (Acts 9:1-2)

Saul’s conversion (Acts 9:3-19)

Saul proclaims Jesus in the synagogues (Acts 9:20-22)

Saul escapes from Damascus and boldly preaches in Jerusalem and then flees to Tarsus. The church had peace and multiplied. (Acts 9:23-31)

Peter heals Aeneas in Lydda. (Acts 9:32-35)

Peter heals Tabitha (Dorcus) in Joppa and many believe. (Acts 9:36-43)

Quotes

My Utmost for His Highest April 2nd—The Glory that Excels

When Paul received his sight he received spiritually an insight into the Person of Jesus Christ, and the whole of his subsequent life and preaching was nothing but Jesus Christ—“I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” No attraction was ever allowed to hold the mind and soul of Paul save the face of Jesus Christ.

The filling of the Spirit is necessary for two reasons. (1) It is essential for the believer’s maturity (1 Cor. 3:1–3). Paul admonished the Corinthian believers as being “fleshly” (Gk. sarkikos), “controlled by the flesh.” The solution to carnality and walking according to the old nature was to be controlled or filled by the Spirit. (2) It is essential for the believer’s service (Acts 4:31; 9:17, 20). Acts 4:31 illustrates the relationship between filling and service; it was the filling of the Spirit that enabled the believers to “speak the word of God with boldness.” When Paul was filled with the Spirit he immediately began to proclaim Jesus as the Son of God (Acts 9:17, 20).

Ephesians 5:18 teaches three factors concerning the concept of being filled with the Spirit. (1) It is a command. Nowhere is the believer commanded to be indwelt or sealed with the Spirit; however, the believer is commanded to be filled with the Spirit. It is a command to “be continually being filled with the Spirit” for maturity and service. (2) It is conditional. Whereas there are no conditions related to the indwelling, baptism, sealing, and many other ministries of the Spirit, the filling of the Spirit is conditional. Obedience to other commands of Scripture are necessary in order to be filled with the Spirit. (3) It is repeated. Ephesians 5:18 is a present imperative, commanding to be “continually being filled.” This indicates it is not a one-time experience but rather a repeated event. (Moody Handbook of Theology)