Covenant Requires Action

Introduction

Today we are talking about one of the most popular passages in Acts. If there is a passage that people know in Acts it’s this one, because it shows that anyone can be converted.

Acts 9:1-24

Acts 9:1–24 LEB

1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, both men and women, he could bring them tied up to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he proceeded, it happened that when he approached Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 So he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting! 6 But get up and enter into the city, and it will be told to you what you must do.” 7 (Now the men who were traveling together with him stood speechless, because they heard the voice but saw no one.) 8 So Saul got up from the ground, but although his eyes were open he could see nothing. And leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was unable to see for three days, and he did not eat or drink. 10 Now there was a certain disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” And he said, “Behold, here I am, Lord!” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Get up, go to the street called ‘Straight’ and in the house of Judas look for a man named Saul from Tarsus. For behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in and placing hands on him so that he may regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias replied, “Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem, 14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to tie up all who call upon your name!” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, because this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the sons 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 into the house, and placing 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 and got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking food, he regained his strength. And he was with the disciples in Damascus several days. 20 And immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues: “This one is the Son of God!” 21 And all who heard him were amazed, and were saying, “Is this not the one who was wreaking havoc in Jerusalem on those who call upon this name, and had come here for this reason, that he could bring them tied up to the chief priests?” 22 But Saul was increasing in strength even more, and was confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this one is the Christ. 23 And when many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted to do away with him. 24 But their plot became known to Saul, and they were also watching the gates both day and night so that they could do away with him.

Pray

Conversion of Paul

This is the first of the three accounts of Paul’s conversion in Acts. That should tell you the importance of this event. Historically it is important because of Paul’s influence on the Church. Spiritually it is Important because Christ himself brought about this conversion, Not just the Holy Spirit. Christ Himself came in a bright light appeared to Paul.

So as we begin this passage we are tied back to what has come before. Saul is breathing out murderous threats against the disciples. He is dragging people from their homes. He is seeing people killed. He is trying to eradicate this Jesus movement.

Saul gets letters from the High priest. He can legally arrest anyone Following the way. I like how that is worded. Arresting those follow The Way. While he was on His Way. Paul is on his way, Arresting People on the Way.

We know the Story, he sees Christ and is blinded.

God: Why are you persecuting me?

Paul: “I’m Not, I am defending you”, Who are you?. “please don’t say Jesus”. It’s just a man I have been blinded by the sun or something. Please don’t say Jesus. D’ho

This means that Jesus is: Alive, Exalted and associated with God the father.

Acts 9:5 KJV 1900

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.

Waite a minute My KJV has different wording in verse 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.

The Phrase “it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” is added. That phrase isn’t in the earliest manuscripts we have. It was added to the Greek sometime later. Why didn’t KJV use the older manuscripts too. Mostly because they hadn’t been found yet

To kick against the pricks - Ox couldn’t rebel against the farmers pricks. Kept the ox in line. Nor could Saul rebel against such a prick from God. This was added to add emphasis. Doesn’t add to any real theological difference.

Saul is told to go to Ananias and the event shocked him so much that he didn’t eat or drink for three days: In fear, In repetitive fast

Ananias Gets his Marching Orders Too

While all this is happening Ananias is getting his marching orders. Ananias is to go to Saul and willingly lay his hands on him. But God, I don’t wanna. He’s killing Christians. If I go he will kill me too.

God: But Ananias I have a Plan for him. He is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name, Before gentiles, kings and Jews. He must suffer for the sake of My name. That might sound Good to Ananias.

But Ananias Goes and Saul is Healed. And An enemy becomes a friend. Saul’s new found faith does not stop with just his healing. He acts preaches in the Synagogue.

God’s Covenant requires Action

Because God’s Covenant requires Action.

Look at Moses: Circumcision required.

Enter into covenant – agreement with God. Action required. And this action leads to something, As it did with Saul, His friends became Enemies. Now he is the persecuted one.

I don’t know the pain of being rejected by family because Christian. I do know what it is like to lose friends over it.

More than just a conversion Story this passage speaks to us about our covenantal relationship with God.

Our Salvation - And that it requires action.

Saul: Go to Ananias Stop Persecution, Start Preaching. Go Suffer

Ananias: Go To the House, Lay Hands On Saul, Disciple Saul, Risk your life in Trusting Me.

Those are big Actions.

We too must have action in our Relationship with God

Witnessing

Study

Pray

GO to People

Risk our friendships and family relations SO that others may have Christ

Not just enough to come to church. Have to live out Christian faith. Not just enough to hear a sermon on Sunday. Have to be in the word and in Prayer. Have to be in action. James puts it this way, Faith without deed or works is dead.

Next Steps

Holy spirit calls to you

Salvation

Calls you to a purpose

Are you acting in Christ

How is your actions?

Pray