Lesson 13:The Conversion & Early Preaching of Saul and More Miracles of Peter (9:1-43)

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

A. Continually persecuting the disciples, Saul headed to Damascus to arrest more (9:1-9).

B. Saul heard the Word of God, received his sight and was baptized into Christ (9:10-19).

I.

A. “The Way” was a common designation for N.T. Christians (9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22).

B. Christ and the church are inseparably and intimately tied together!

C. Prayer does not save an alien sinner from his sins!D. Baptism is a “must” for salvation!E. Saul of Tarsus was NOT converted to Christ and

saved on the road to Damascus!

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

C. Saul immediately began to preach the gospel and was persecuted as a result (9:20-30).1. Saul continuously preached the deity of Jesus, a message he once

persecuted (9:20).2. The Jews in Damascus plotted to kill him, so disciples helped him

escape (9:23-25).3. It had been 3 years since he left Jerusalem (Gal. 1:18), but he was still

feared (9:26).4. Barnabas intervened, taking him to Peter & James (Jesus’ half-bro)

(9:27; Gal. 1:19).5. Saul remained in Jerusalem with Peter for 15 days (9:28; Gal. 1:18).6. Hellenists in Jerusalem tried to kill Saul, so the disciples helped him

escape (9:29-30).7. Saul went to his home in Syria and Cilicia (Tarsus was capital of Cilicia)

(Gal. 1:21-22).

I.

F. Strong, direct and hard-hitting preaching is often needed and expected by the Lord.1. Saul heralded continually (9:20);

then logically argued, providing evidence (9:22); preached boldly, telling it like it is (9:27, 29); and even disputing/debating (9:29).

2. The response of those who did not like his message is also indicative of its force.

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

D. Persecution against the church subsided for a while and it kept on multiplying (9:31).

E. To prepare readers for chapter 10, two miracles of Peter were highlighted (9:32-43).1. In Lydda, Peter healed Aeneas, a paralytic who “arose

immediately” (9:32-35).2. In Joppa, Peter raised Tabitha from the dead (9:36-42).3. In Joppa, Peter stayed with Simon a tanner, which seems

significant (9:43).

I.

G. The conversions in Acts 9 each used a different word to describe when they were saved.1. The people of Joppa “believed on the Lord” (9:42); the

people of Lydda “turned to the Lord” (9:35); Saul of Tarsus “arose and was baptized” (9:18).

2. Using synecdoche, each conversion mentions a part of what they did to represent the whole of what they did. Complete obedience was required in each case.

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

A. May those who are “of the Way” so live that we can be recognized as “of the Way”!

B. Let us realize that if Saul of Tarsus could be converted then anyone can be converted!

C. As Saul preached immediately, may we preach the gospel message we obeyed ourselves!

D. May we be like Barnabas and bring brethren together rather than driving wedges!

E. When we “walk in the fear of the Lord,” we can “enjoy peace” and be “built up” (9:31)!

F. May we, like Tabitha, busy ourselves with an abundance of good works and kind deeds!

III. Practical Points of Application for Our Lives