The Acts of the Apostles
Chapter 9
Saul and Jesus Bible Study Adventure
The Conversion of Saul Where Saul Becomes Paul in Name
Happy you could visit for another slice of Daily Bread. This chapter
of Acts is about the man Saul that I told you to keep an eye out for,
because you'd be hearing more about him.
Saul was going around making threats about slaughter against the
disciples of Jesus. He went to the high priest and asked him to write
letters to the synagogues of Damascus, allowing him if he found
anyone preaching about Jesus Christ, whether man or woman, to bring
them as prisoners to Jerusalem. The high priests agreed to his
request.
On his way to Damascus, when he was near the city, suddenly a light
from heaven shined around Saul, and he fell to the earth, and heard a
voice say to him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? He answered,
Who are you Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus, whom you persecute,
it's hard for you to kick against the goads. Time for a Daily Bread
Crumb here. What is a goad? It's something sharp, and kicking
something sharp is ... Well, why do it? So here's Jesus saying in His
unique way, Saul, Saul, it's silly for you to try to be something
you're really not. Why are you fighting against what's right?
Saul, trembling and astonished said, Lord, what do you want me to do?
Jesus said, Get up and go into the city and you'll be told what you
must do. The men who traveled with Saul, stood speechless, because
they could hear Jesus' voice but they couldn't see anybody. Saul
stood up and opened his eyes, but he was blinded, so they led him by
the hand into Damascus.
Saul and Jesus Bible Study Lesson
The Conversion of Saul as Saul Becomes Paul
For three days, Saul was without sight, and he didn't eat or drink
anything either. There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and
the Lord called to him in a vision, Ananias. And he answered, I'm
here Lord. And the Lord said, Get up and go into the street named
Straight, and ask in the house of Judas for a man named Saul, of
Tarsus. He's praying and has seen a man named Ananias in a vision
coming in and putting his hand on him, so he can see again.
Ananias answered, Lord, I've heard about this man from many people
and how much evil he's done to your saints at Jerusalem, and here in
Damascus he has permission from the chief priests to bind anyone who
calls on your name. But the Lord said to him, Be on your way, because
he is a chosen vessel to me, to carry my name before the Gentiles,
and kings, and the children of Israel. I'll show him what great
things he must suffer for my name's sake. Ananias went his way, and
entered into the house of Judas, and putting his hands on Saul said,
Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way to
Damascus, has sent me, so that you may receive your sight and be
filled with the Holy Spirit.
Immediately, as if they were scales, fell from Saul's eyes and he
could see, and he stood up and was baptized. And when he ate, he was
strengthened, and he stayed with the disciples who were in Damascus
for several days. Without hesitation, Saul preached in the
synagogues, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Everyone who heard
him was amazed, saying, Isn't this the man who destroyed all who
called on Jesus name in Jerusalem, and came here with that intent, so
he could bind them and bring them to the chief priests?
Saul and Jesus Bible Study Facts
The Conversion of Saul & Saul Becomes Paul
Why would the Lord choose someone like Saul to convert? Why would He
choose His enemy to spread His word? The question is ... Why wouldn't
He? Who would better prove the salvation of the Lord, than the most
unlikely candidate?
Saul increased more in strength, and confused the Jewish people who
lived in Damascus, proving that this truly is Christ. The Jewish
people made plans to kill Saul, but their plot was known to him, and
they watched the city gates day and night to kill him. Then the
disciples took him in the middle of the night, and let him down by
the wall, to get out of the city, in a basket.
When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but
they were all afraid of him, and didn't believe that he was a
disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and
told them how he had seen the Lord and that He had spoken to him, and
how Saul had preached boldly in Damascus in the name of Jesus.
(Remember Barnabas was the Levite from Cyprus who sold his land and
brought the money to the apostles when the Christians first started
living in commonwealth.)
They then accepted Saul, and he was with them in their ministry both
in and out of Jerusalem. He spoke boldly in the name of Jesus and
disputed against the Grecians, but they wanted to kill him. When the
other disciples found out, they brought Saul down to Caesarea, and
sent him out to Tarsus (where Saul was from).
Saul and Jesus Bible Study Discussion
The Conversion of Saul and Why Saul Becomes Paul
Then there was peace in the Churches throughout all Judea and Galilee
and Samaria, and people were enlightened, and walking in the fear of
the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, and Christians were
increased in number.
Now, it came to pass, that as Peter traveled throughout the region,
he went down also to the saints who lived in Lydda. There was a man
named Aeneas, who was bedridden for eight years, and paralyzed. Peter
said to him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you, stand up and make your
bed. And he stood up immediately. Everyone who lived in Lydda and
Saron saw him and believed in the Lord.
And there was a disciple in Joppa named Tabitha, which by
interpretation is called Dorcas, which means, Clear-sighted; A
roe-deer. She was full of good works and works of mercy that she did.
She was sick and died, and they prepared her body and laid her in an
upper room. As Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that
Peter was there, they sent two men to him, asking him if he would
hurry and come to them.
Saul and Jesus Bible Study Conclusion
The Conversion of Saul - Saul Becomes Paul Summary
Peter went with them, and when they got to Joppa, they brought him
into the upper room, and all the widows stood by him weeping and
showing him the coats and garments that Dorcas had made while she was
with them. Peter sent them all out, kneeled down and prayed, and
turning toward her, said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes,
and when she saw Peter, she sat up. He held out his hand and lifted
her up, and then brought her out alive to the saints and widows.
It was heard about all through Joppa, and many believed in the Lord,
and it came to pass that Peter stayed many days in Joppa with a man
named Simon who was a tanner. Some pretty amazing acts of the
apostles, wouldn't you say? Just a couple of little things to note.
Luke refers to the Christians as Saints. That's just so cool.
And also, we've just learned that disciples are women as well as men.
Discipleship has no gender, so keep that in mind. There's still more
about Saul coming up in future chapters, but don't miss our study
tomorrow, when Peter has an important vision. We'll look into that in
our next Daily Bread.
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