Welcome to Acts 9! This one is also in parts. Six of them this week. Between Saul and Peter and Ananias and all the goodness in this chapter I couldn’t keep it short and small in numbers. So I hope this will work for you. One of them will be really short, but not the first one. Come with me as we study all the wonderful parts of the 43 verses in Acts 9. Praise Him for all He is doing in this chapter.
Let’s Pray:
Lord Jesus, You are in all these stories, even speaking in the first one. Oh how I love to hear You. And in these to see how you work. Such wonderful words in this chapter, Lord. I ask for Your leadership and the ability to hear exactly what You want me to highlight in these parts this week, Lord. For Your Glory. Amen.
The Conversion of Saul, (Praise Him!)
Please read Acts 9:1-2
1 Now [a]Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord [and relentless in his search for believers], went to the [b]high priest, 2 and he asked for letters [of authority] from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any men or women there belonging to [c]the Way [believers, followers of Jesus the Messiah], men and women alike, he could arrest them and bring them bound [with chains] to Jerusalem.
At this point, Saul still thinks he’s working for God. Not to worry, the reason this is stated is because his life is about to change radically. Conversion is a good word for it. Watch for what Jesus is about to do to and for Saul.
Please read Acts 9:3-9
3 As he traveled he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him [displaying the glory and majesty of Christ]; 4 and he fell to the ground and heard a voice [from heaven] saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting and oppressing Me?” 5 And Saul said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He answered, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, 6 now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him [were terrified and] stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was unable to see for three days, and he neither ate nor drank.
Footnotes
[a] Saul – Acts 9:1 Later known as Paul the Apostle.
[b] high priest – Acts 9:1 Probably Caiaphas, the son-in-law of Annas. See note 4:6.
[c] the Way – Acts 9:2 This term for Christianity may have originated from Jesus’ own words, “I am the Way…,” John 14:6.
Praise Him!
Jesus, oh Jesus. Thank You for this story. Thank You for changing lives as radically as you do Saul’s and for being the kind of God that will do it again if we but ask. Change my life Lord. Make me wholly Yours.