SUNDAY SCHOOL 10/31/2021 ACTS 9

SUNDAY SCHOOL 10/31/2021 ACTS 9

PRAISES/PRAYER REQUESTS

REVIEW/INTRODUCTION

Last week we finished chapter 8. We witnessed the martyrdom of Stephen and the ignition of persecution against Christians. A man named Saul was at the forefront of the persecution. But because of persecution the Gospel is carried outside of Jerusalem to the Samrians and the Gentiles.

Chapter 9 returns to this man named Saul who was zealous against the Church.

BODY

ACTS 9

[The Conversion of Saul]

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

It is unknown what exactly these documents were but they were most likely for extradition. (v.2)

Notice how Christian’s are referred to as “belonging to the Way”. (v.2)

Meaning “road or path”

Damascus:

About 135 miles or 6 day journey from Jerusalem

It was a center for trade and wool/silk production

Capital of modern-day Syria

Q: Why do you think Saul did not eat or drink?

Emotionally/Physically unable to eat. Saul just had his whole world turned upside down. He thought he had been doing the work of God by persecuting the Church only to be confronted by the very person they worship.

Saul may have been fasting for its spiritual aspects. Fasting is in one way a sign of control and submission to God.

10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened.

Ananias: “God is merciful” [Hebrew]

“Here I am, Lord”

1 Sam 3:4-5 (The Call of Samuel)

4 Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” 5 and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down.

IS. 6:8 (Isaiah’s Calling)

8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”

Ananias is hesitant to obey because he knew who Saul was and what he stood for. (v.13)

I suspect Saul must have been very active for news about him to spread. Believers knew to avoid him.

16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” (v.16)

Saul is chosen by God as a tool for His purposes and in fulfilling those purposes, Saul will suffer.

Notice Ananias calls Saul, “brother”. (v.17)

There was a physical impedance when it came to Paul's loss of vision. (v.18)

Saul is now a believer. (v.17-18)

Saul has now joined the very thing he violently opposed, by the grace of God.

[Saul Proclaims Jesus in Synagogues]

For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” 21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.

[Saul Escapes from Damascus]

23 When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, 24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, 25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.

Saul immediately begins to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in the place he was going to capture christians. (v.20)

This brings confusion to the jews of the synagogue who knew Saul was zealous against christians. (v.21)

Saul uses his knowledge of the Old Testament to proclaim Jesus as the Messiah. (v.22)

The prosecutor has become the persecuted. (v23)

Just as Jesus was plotted against because He preached the truth about Himself, Paul is as well plotted against.

[Saul in Jerusalem]

26 And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. 30 And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.

Imagine Saul trying to join a church. (v.26)

Hellenists: Generally refers to one who speaks Greek, but came to refer to those of non-Greek origin, especially Jews, who adopted the Greek language and customs. (v.29)

TARSUS (Ταρσός, Tarsos). A city in Cilicia, a region of Asia Minor, which roughly corresponds to modern-day Turkey. Associated with the Apostle Paul.

[The Healing of Aeneas]

32 Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. 35 And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

Q: What do you think is the significance of this story? Why do you think Luke decided to include this passage? (v.32-35)

Lydda and Sharon are cities in Israel

[Dorcas Restored to Life]

36 Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. 37 In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.” 39 So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.

Dorcas (dor’-cas) = Gazelle. (An emblem of beauty). (v.36)

Peter performed miracles as Jesus did and commanded.

Mt 9:18-26 (Jesus raises a girl from the dead)

Mt. 10:5-15

5 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. 9 Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. 11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. 12 As you enter the house, greet it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. 15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.

CONCLUSION

APPLICATION

No one is beyond salvation. (v.9-18)

Saul was zealously opposing this new and growing group of people belonging to the Way. He had the knowledge of the Old Testament and all of his teachers to debate and attack Christians. He found the binding and killing of Christians to be lawful. It is those of the Way who are blaspheming God. It is those of the Way who have departed from faithful and true Judaism. There was no convincing Saul otherwise. But God in His mercy and divine purposes dialogues directly and chooses this man, Saul and saves him. Saul understands Jesus is the messiah and repents of his sin. If there was anyone that could be beyond salvation it was Saul. But where sin abounds, grace is more. We ought to be very careful in writing someone off as beyond salvation. God’s saving power is beyond anyone’s sin and arrogance.

We will suffer as tools in the hand of God. (v.16)

Just as we partake in the glories of Christ, we also partake in His suffering. Too often the Church undermines the fact we are called to suffer and that suffering is part of God’s sovereign plan for His people and that we should desire to partake in His suffering. .

Philippians 3:8-11

8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Q: Do we describe our christian life as “walking in the fear of the Lord”? (v.31)

Part of holy living is walking in the fear of the Lord. But what does that mean for us today?

CHRISTOLOGY