Chapter 9

A. The Conversion of Saul The Persecutor: Acts 9:1-31

The 9th chapter of the book of Acts records the conversion experience of Saul of Tarsus. What a testimony of God’s grace as Saul the persecutor is transformed into Paul the missionary!

“Conversion” (epistrofi, Greek) a turning one’s self round, a turning about and turning towards.

1. The Anger of a Religious Man: (9:1-2)

a) Christless religion often generates hate and persecution (v. 1-2)

b) Conviction resistance often generates negative reactions (John 16:8-11)

John 16:8–11 KJV 1900

8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

i. Convicted by Stephen’s testimony (Acts 7:58-59)

Acts 7:58–59 KJV 1900

58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

ii. Convicted by the Law of God (Romans 7:7-9)

Romans 7:7–9 KJV 1900

7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. 8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. 9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

iii. Convicted by his own heart and conscience (Romans 2)

2. The Mercy and Grace of a Loving God: (9:3)

a) The Lord SEEKS the sinner (Luke 19:10)

Luke 19:10 KJV 1900

10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

b) The Lord unveils the light (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

2 Corinthians 4:3–4 KJV 1900

3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

3. The Repentance of a Broken Man (9:4-6)

Acts 9:4–6 KJV 1900

4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

a) Humbled in repentance (v. 4)

b) Honest in repentance (v.5, Romans 10:9)

Romans 10:9 KJV 1900

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

c) Submissive and CHANGED in repentance (v. 6)

4. The Discipleship of a Converted Man: (9:7-17)

a) God raises up disciple-makers (v. 7-12)

Acts 9:7–12 KJV 1900

7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. 8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. 10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

b) God ERASES our fears to disciple (v. 13-15a)

Acts 9:13–15 KJV 1900

13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

c) God has a special purpose for everyone He saves (v. 15-16)

d) God can use us to disciple others with unlimited potential (v. 17)

Acts 9:17 KJV 1900

17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

5. The Enlightenment of a Baptized Man: (9:18-25)

a) Enlightened for ministry (v. 18)

Acts 9:18 KJV 1900

18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

b) CONNECTED with other disciples/church (v. 19)

Acts 9:19 KJV 1900

19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

c) Empowered for preaching truth (v. 20-25)

Acts 9:20–25 KJV 1900

20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? 22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. 23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: 24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. 25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

i. The persecutor became the persecuted!

6. The Reluctance of a Fearful Church: (9:26-31)

a) We risk the fear of judging people by their past instead of viewing them through the lens of God’s grace (v. 26-27)

Acts 9:26–27 KJV 1900

26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

b) God’s grace transforms people supernaturally (v. 28-30).

Acts 9:28–30 KJV 1900

28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. 29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. 30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

Acceptance with God should bring acceptance with the church.

c) Only the gospel can bring about positive cultural change (v. 31)

Acts 9:31 KJV 1900

31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

B. Change Is Coming: Acts 9:32-43

Change is inevitable. Anything alive, growing, and vibrant cannot remain the same.

Up to this point the focal point of the Jewish church at Jerusalem has been Jewish. That was about to change. And it was God Himself who would shake things up to bring about the change He intended in Peter the pastor and the church he led.

1. Additional Signs for the Jews: (v. 32-42)

“For the Jews require a sign…” (1 Corinthians 1:22)

a) Sign for the Jews in Lydda: (v. 32-35)

Acts 9:32–35 KJV 1900

32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. 33 And there he found a certain man named Æneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. 34 And Peter said unto him, Æneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. 35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

Lydda was a town west of Jerusalem on the road to Joppa in the plain of Sharon (Saron).

i. As Jesus raised one who could not WALK, so did Peter. (John 5:1-11; Acts 9:32-34)

ii. And many Jews turned to the Lord in repentance and faith (v. 35)

b) Sign for the Jews in Joppa (v. 36-42)

i. As Jesus raised one from the DEAD so did Peter (John 11; Acts 9:36-41)

Acts 9:36–41 KJV 1900

36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. 37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. 38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.

ii. And many Jews turned to the Lord in repentance and faith (Acts 9:42)

Acts 9:42 KJV 1900

42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

2. Change for Peter and the Jewish Church: (v. 43)

Acts 9:43 KJV 1900

43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

a) Comfort Zone?

i. God was taking Peter on a spiritual journey that would radically take him out of his comfort zone.

ii. Spiritual growth in ministry cannot thrive when its locked into our comfort zone. Don’t RESIST what God is doing in you!

b) Why Joppa?

i. Remember the prophet JONAH. God called him to carry His message to the Gentiles. He went down to Joppa to flee to Tarshish (Jonah 1:1-3)

ii. God is about to call PETER to do the same thing – radically take him outside his comfort zone.

iii. God is at work – totally outside your comfort zone. Are you resisting or are you growing?