Paul's Conversion

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A Restless Spirit

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Chapter 9 deals with the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. Verses 1 and 2 record a "restless spirit". Matthew Henry says, remembering that it was Paul that had given Luke the information in these first chapters, "Oh how the story teller (Paul) longed to come to this point in his story, putting his painful past behind him and telling of his conversion and work for the Lord." From this point on we are to deal with Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles.

Saul was his given name. It meant "desired". He was 4 feet 6 inches tall, unlike his namesake King Saul, who was quite tall. His Roman name, Paul, meant little. He was born in Tarsus a city in the country of Cilicia. It was a free Roman city and Paul's parents, though orthodox Jews, were given Roman citizenship because they agreed to settle there and develop the economy as Jews were capable of doing.

Paul was of the Tribe of Benjamin which remained with Judah at the time the split of the 10 northern tribes that formed the Northern Kingdom of Israel. He studied in the schools in Tarsus which was second only to the schools in Athens, in Greek learning. He later completed his education in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. He was quick to learn and had great understanding. His trade was tent making. This was a common trade among scholars.

It was said of Paul, before his conversion, that he was a "blameless man" with respect to the righteousness which was of the Law. But he also was a blasphemer of Christ and a persecutor of Christians. Verse 1 says Paul was still breathing threats and murder against the Disciples of the Lord. Those whom Paul could not frighten by threats, he murdered. Notice the dispersion, which came after the stoning of Stephen, went all the way up to Damascus, some 250 miles north. He had decided to go there and bring back to Jerusalem for trial, all who claimed to be followers of Christ. In order to do this he had to obtain an order from the High Priest. The Priests were old and quite willing to let this young zealot do their dirty work.

Paul received a commission not only from the High Priest but from the whole Sanhedrin. The commission empowered him to enquire among the synagogues of the Jews at Damascus concerning any that they might know that were inclined to follow this new sect or heresy concerning a man named Jesus who claimed to be the Christ. Notice they are referred to here as "those who belonged to the way". Christians were first called "followers of the way", for they believed that Christ was the "way" and the only way to eternal life.

The Sanhedrin claimed power over all Jews regardless of where they lived. So with this "commission", Paul, armed with what he thought was the best of authority, headed for Damascus to bring back all men and women who claimed to be "followers of the way". But God had another plan for Saul of Tarsus.

The Visitation

Verses 3 thru 9 of Chapter 9 record the conversion of Paul, an experience with God that Paul never forgot. The term "Damascus experience" had come to mean an experience with the Lord of great magnitude which was exactly what Saul had.

So we begin our story of a man by the name of Saul, who being no meeker for his 6 or 7 days on the dusty roads of Palestine, came face to face with the Lord. We tend to limit the conversion experience to churches and peoples homes, but this one and the one before with the Eunuch, occurred on dusty roads.

Saul was near Damascus. He was in a Gentile country that was noted for it's lack of love for the Jews. But Saul was driven and believed he was doing what God wanted him to do. The prospect that soon he would be persecuting the followers of this new religion, pleased him. The Christians in Damascus had heard of his coming and trembled as Saul approached the city.

Just before Saul got to the city, a "light" from heaven flashed about him. Later in recounting this event, Paul said (1st. Cor. 9:1) that he believed that he had seen the Christ in that light. "Am I not an Apostle?" "Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?" Surly he and Stephen experienced what they believed to have been the "presence of the Lord". The "light" was brighter than the sun. It was visible at mid day and seemed to encase him. As we shall see, the light served many purposes.

Notice how this light affected Saul. Luke says that he fell to the ground. Most believe that Saul was riding a donkey, properly ornamented, for a man of such a high position, on such a high mission. The light probably frightened the donkey and it threw Saul to the ground. Those whom Christ has ordained for greatness, must first be humbled, so in this humbled position, Saul hears a voice, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me." Wasn't it ironical that Saul, the king, persecuted David and now Saul, the Zealot, persecuted the "Son of David".

Jesus had a way of getting someone's attention by saying their name twice. In Luke 10:41, when Martha was complaining about Mary for not helping with the chores, Jesus said, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious about many things ( you worry to much ) but Mary has chosen the good portion which shall not be taken from her." On over in Luke 22:31, Peter was boasting of his great love for Jesus and declared that he would even go to prison for Him. Then Jesus said to him, "Simon, Simon, Satan has got a hold of you that he might sift you like wheat, but I tell you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times."

Also, in Matt. 23:37, Jesus had just called the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem, hypocrites for the 8th. time, but in compassion He said, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets, stoning those who were sent to you, how often would I have gathered you together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings."

Here Jesus says, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" Before Saul could become a saint he had to see himself as a sinner. He needed to see that what he had justified in the eyes of the Law, was a sin. He needed to see who it was that he was persecuting. Why are you, an educated man, knowledgeable of the scriptures, righteous under the Law, why are you persecuting me? Saul obviously thought he was persecuting a bunch of uneducated Galileans who had been led astray by a man claiming to be the Messiah. Little did he realize that he was persecuting the Lord.

But what Lord? "Who are you, Lord?" Saul did not know whom he was talking to. He did not recognize the voice of Jesus. He was convinced, by the light, that he was speaking to One from Heaven, but whom it was he did not know. Jesus answered, "I am Jesus whom you persecute." Certainly the name was not unfamiliar to Saul. It was a name that made Saul's blood boil. Now he has come face to face with the name that he had vowed to remove from the face of the earth. What a shock this must have been to a man who was not use to being wrong.

What did Saul say, what could he say? "What will you have me do Lord?" By now Saul was physically and emotionally "blind". He had lost his sight, his insight and his purpose for living. But the Lord did not leave him helpless. "Rise, enter the city and you will be told what you are to do." What about the men traveling with him? Verse 7 says, "They stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one." On over in Chapter 22:9, Paul, reflecting on this says, "Those who were with me saw the light but did not hear the voice", a bit of a difference of opinion, and perhaps that the answer. These men were frightened and so confused that they heard but did not understand, yet they served God's purpose. They ended up going back to Jerusalem and witnessing of the "conversion" of Saul and attempting in the ability that they had, to tell what they had seen, a revelation of the "risen Lord".

When Saul gets up from the ground he discovers that he is blind. It apparently was not the "light" that blinded Saul for the others saw it also and they were not blinded. It was the sight of Jesus that blinded Saul, this he saw and the others didn't. What a change of venue. Saul who thought that he was going to Damascus to bring back captives of the followers of Christ ended up being a captive of Christ.

Saul was led by the men with him to a place in the city, a house owned by a man named Judas who lived on a street named Straight. For three days he laid blind, unable to eat or drink. Matthew Henry says of this, "For three days Saul was in the "belly of the whale" like Jonah, in a living hell, suffering God's terror for his sins." "He was in the dark concerning his own spiritual state and was wounded in spirit, so disturbed that he could not either eat or drink."

This was Saul's conversion. It was very traumatic, but that was the way it had to be, for Saul would not have responded to an ordinary approach. Jesus knew that Saul needed this and He also knew that Saul would be as totally consumed in his witness for Him as he was in his efforts to eliminate Him. Saul's energy and determination was going to be put to work for the Lord. That was a switch and as we will see, it will take many years before anyone would believe him.

A Reluctant Witness

Verses 10 thru 19a of Chapter 9, I call "a reluctant witness". Notice the man God chose to go and witness to Saul. An unlikely person. His name was Ananias. He was a disciple of Jesus Christ. He was a Jew who had recently embraced the Gospel. He appeared to be an acting minister to a group of believers. It does not appear that he had been ordained by the Apostles. He had a good report among the Jews and was a devout man, according to the Law.

Why Ananias? Why not one of the Apostles or even Philip, he could have been in Damascus as he was in Azotus, "in the twinkling of an eye", transported by the Spirit. Why Ananias? God uses the faithful, the little known, the uneducated, the small town ministers, teachers of children, housewives, these He uses his wonders to perform. Why? Because they are humble and willing. But, Ananias was not so willing. "Lord, I have heard a great deal about this man." I have heard about all the evil that he has done to the Saints at Jerusalem, and even worse, I know why he came to Damascus, he came to bind all who call on your name."

As a follower of Christ, Ananias did not hesitate because he did not want to do a kindness to one who was in need. No, his problem was fear. He wondered if it would be safe for him to go and visit this man. Besides, would there be any use in it? This man had such a hard heart, could anything soften the heart of Saul? But Christ told Ananias that He realized how bad this man had been, but he assured Ananias that He never called anyone to a risk without supplying their needs. "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine." "I have chosen him and have put confidence in him, you have no need to fear."

For what was Saul chosen? He was to take the name of Jesus to the Gentiles. The Apostles had been reluctant to go to the Gentiles, but Saul would do this with the same enthusiasm that he had for persecuting the Christians. He also would witness to kings. He would witness to Herod Agrippa, who would be almost persuaded, he would witness to Caesar, in his court of last appeal. And lastly, he would witness to the Sons of Israel. Saul had a great deal of influence among the Jews and God would use this in building the Christian Church.

So God told Ananias to go to a house on Straight Street to the home of a man named Judas. Notice how comfortable Ananias was with the Lord. It would appear that he had talked with the Lord before. "Here I am Lord, what would you have me to do?" The house of Judas was apparently well known as a place for strangers while in Damascus. The street called Straight or "Long Street", ran east and west through Damascus. It was the main thoroughfare and had beautiful gates on both ends.

So Ananias went and found Saul, probably lying down, weak from lack of food and water. He introduced himself to Saul and stated his mission. "Brother Saul, the Lord who appeared to you on the road has sent me that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." One of the "signs" of the early believers was that they should lay hands on the sick and they would be healed. He called Saul "Brother" because they both were partakers of the Grace of God. He showed Saul that the same hand that blinded, healed also. The same Jesus that blinded you on the road, sent me that you might regain your sight.

Two things were different here with Saul's conversion. The Holy Spirit came upon Saul before his baptism and at the hands of someone besides the Apostles. And immediately, not gradually but immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes and he regained his sight. Christ's commission was to open the eyes of the blind and set the religious prisoner free. Saul had been a prisoner to ignorance and Jesus set him free with love and understanding.

Then Saul arose and was baptized. This signified a great change in the life of Saul, he now submitted to the reign of Christ in his life and cast himself upon the forgiving Grace of God. Saul went from the dispensation of Law to the dispensation of Grace in three days. "And he took food and was strengthened."

Moving in a Different Direction

Verses 19b thru 25 tell us the effect that this had on Saul. There was a great change in the life of Saul. He passed from death unto life. He went from being lost to being saved. He went from the "hunter" to the "hunted". We see something of the courage and forgiving grace of these Christians here in Damascus. Had anyone considered what a great plan this would have been if Saul had faked being a Christian? He could have gained their confidence and them turned them over to the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem. But we must believe that Ananias was convinced by the Lord that Saul was sincerely converted to Christ and that he recommended Saul to the Church. But it would appear that not all of them were convinced. "Is not this the man who created so much havoc on the Christians in Jerusalem, and did he not come here for the purpose of binding us and taking us back to Jerusalem to be tried by the High Priests?"

Notice how Saul convinced them that he was truly converted. "He proclaimed that Jesus was the Son of God." God had revealed much to Saul on a very short time and he was unmistakably filled with the Holy Spirit. This opened up the mind of Saul who was very knowledgeable of the scriptures, so that he amazed the Jews by being able to prove that Jesus was the Christ and show how He fulfilled the scriptures relative to the prophecies concerning the Messiah. This was possible only by the leading and indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Now Saul's conversion and subsequent preaching did not go unnoticed by those in Damascus who had been prepared to welcome him as the one who was going to purge the Jewish religion of this blasphemous cult that was taking their members. To them, Saul was a traitor, he was worse than the Apostles and those of their number who had become Christians. He had to be done away with. "So they plotted to kill him." Back in verse 16, Jesus said to Saul in the blinding light on the road to Damascus, "Saul, I will show you how much you must suffer for my names sake." Here, only a few days after his conversion, his life was on the line.

The Jews had convinced the Government of Damascus that Saul was a dangerous man. Guards were put on all the gates leading out of town. Saul was a hunted man, but God had not converted Saul to have him killed in Damascus. He devised a means of escape for Saul. His fellow Christians took him to the wall that surrounded the city and by night they let him down in a basket. Knowing when to "bow out" gracefully is often the leadership of Grace in our life.

It was not easy for Saul to leave this way. He was not accustomed to using the back door, but God needed to humble Saul if he was to become the "Great Apostle" to the Gentiles. This was just one of the ways that God did it.

For some reason, Luke leaves out a three year period in the life of Saul. Verse 26 says that Saul left Damascus and went to Jerusalem. Actually, Saul left Damascus and went to Arabia where he stayed for 3 years, preaching the Gospel of Christ. We know this because Paul speaks of this in Gal. 1:15-18. So Saul left Damascus, because of threats on his life, and went to Arabia where he lived for 3 years. From Arabia he returned to Damascus and from there he went back to Jerusalem, allowing time for the authorities in Jerusalem to cool off.

Blessed by Barnabas

Chapter 9, verses 26 and 27, pick up with Saul going back to Jerusalem. Notice that he does not go to see his old friends the Chief priests and Pharisees, he attempts to join the Christians there. Now surly word had gotten back to Jerusalem concerning the success that Saul had had preaching in Damascus and Arabia, for 3 years, Saul had done nothing but preach Christ, but it says here that "all were afraid of him".

They remembered him as the mean persecutor who had approved the stoning of Stephen and who had killed other of their brothers and sisters. Notice he was not admitted into their fellowship, they closed the doors of their churches to him. They would not witness nor preach if he was near by. What was Saul to do? Well God sent a man by the name of Barnabus. Barnabus took Saul under his care. He befriended him and took him to the Apostles and told them of his conversion there on the road to Damascus.

Why didn't Saul bring back with him, letters of recommendation from the Christians at Damascus? Well, Saul was a proud man. He disliked proving who he was. In his second letter to the Corinthians he wrote, "I am not like so many peddlers of God's word, I am a man of sincerity, commissioned by God to speak of Christ." Am I commending myself again, or do I need, as some do, letters of recommendation?" Saul must have been very disappointed in his reception at Jerusalem by the Christians.

Why did Barnabus accept Saul? Back in the fourth chapter we read that a man by the name of Barnabus joined the early church at Jerusalem. He sold some land on the Island of Cyprus and gave the money to the church. Cyprus was close to Tarsus and probably Saul and Barnabus were acquaintances, even students of the same schools.

Barnabas was a Prophet and a teacher and in the 14th. Chapter will be called an Apostle. He was robust, had a magnetic personality and probably knew of the ministry of Saul on Damascus and Arabia. So Barnabus spoke for Saul to the Apostles and Saul was accepted into their fellowship. From this point on, we will refer to Saul as Paul.

Service Brings Steady Danger

Verses 28 thru 30 of Chapter 9 begin the preaching of Paul in Judeah. Having been accepted into the fellowship in Jerusalem, Paul began to preach and as usual, it got him into trouble. You can imagine what this complete change in Paul must have done to his old buddies on the Sanhedrin. Seeing Paul, once determined to wipe out Christianity, now a part of it's ministry. There was no way they could allow this. They had to find a way to get rid of him. Those who were most offended were the Hellenist, the Jews from Greece, Paul had been one of them. They tried to out talk Paul in a debate but Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, was to much for them.

When they found out that they could not out talk Paul, they sought to kill him. Again, Paul's friends step in and save his life. They sneaked him out of the city and took him down to the town of Caesarea where Philip was living and put him on a boat bound for Tarsus, his hometown. Again Paul had to swallow his pride and leave by the back door.

So, Meanwhile the Church

Verse 31 sums up the condition of the Church in Judeah, Samaria and Galilee after the persecution of Paul had ended. At last peace and rest came to the churches and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they multiplied. Matthew Henry believes that this was a "breathing time" given to them by the Lord, to prepare them for the next encounter with Satan. These three areas were the areas that Christ had visited while He was here on earth. He had planted a seed which became the foundation for the Church there.

# Peter on the Coast

Aeneas Healed

Two events are recorded in this section. The healing of Aeneas and the bringing back to life of Tabitha. From verse 32 of Chapter 9 we see that Peter had been traveling and preaching the Gospel in Judeah and he went down to the city of Lydda. Lydda was 25 miles east of Jerusalem on the road to Joppa. Here we see something of the duties of the Apostles. They were not resident pastors. They visited churches and tested the doctrines being preached and ordained ministers for the churches. They visited all the churches in Judeah, Samaria and Galilee, but their headquarters was in Jerusalem. Recorded for us here is one of those visits that Peter made to the church at Lydda.

Notice Luke's reference to the "Saints" at Lydda. All Christians were and are Saints. This was not some ecclesiastical decree conferred upon a few but rather upon all who are born again and had righteousness imputed, given to us as a gift of God, not of merit.

At Lydda, Peter saw a man by the name of Aeneas who appears to have been ill with palsy and paralyzed for at least 8 years. At that time, these cases were incurable just as the condition of mankind before Christ was incurable. Notice the words that Peter uses in the healing of this man. "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you, rise and make your bed."

Peter does not pretend to heal this man, but does use the authority given him by Jesus in declaring him healed. Notice his healing was not gradual, nor partial. Healing came instantly and it was complete. He was not only healed but he had been given strength to get up and use legs and arms that he hadn't used for 8 years. "Get up and make your bed." All healing, whether physical or spiritual, needs evidence on the part of the healed. This requires an act of faith. He was healed but did he believe that he was healed? Getting up and making his bed would be evidence that he believed that he was healed.

And so it was, "immediately he rose." Notice the result of this. "All the residents of Lydda and the Plain of Sharon on which Lydda was located, saw him and they turned to the Lord." Aeneas was walking proof of the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. These people were Jews and it was prophesied in Isaiah that the Plain of Sharon would be a fold for the flocks of Christ. All turned to Christ and they embraced His teachings, they submitted to His ordinances, they made Him Lord of their lives and they allowed themselves (opened up their hearts and minds) to be taught by Him. All of this was the result of the healing of Aeneas.

Resurrection of Tabitha

Verses 36 thru 43 of Chapter 9 deal with the bringing back to life of Tabitha. Here we have another miracle, by Peter, for the conformation of the Gospel. We need to constantly remind ourselves of this, the miracles done by the Apostles and by Philip and Stephen were not for their phrase or advancement as Simon Magus thought, they were done for the phrase of God and for the conformation of the Gospel.

This story is about the character, the life and the death of a woman by the name of Tabitha. First lets see what we know about this woman. She lived in Joppa, a seaport town on the Mediterranean Sea, in that area of Israel belonging to the Tribe of Dan. She was very rich. Her Hebrew name was Tabitha, her Greek name was Dorcus, both meant "a doe or deer or gazelle" or some pleasant creature. She was a disciple of Christ and was baptized and was known for her works of charity. Her faith was evidenced by her works.

It was said of her, she was full of compassion, her hands were employed for the good of others, she talked little but did much and she was very liberal with her money. Now notice that in the middle of all her good works, she fell sick and died. God does not promise perfect health nor does He promise eternal life on this earth, however He does promise strength sufficient for our needs.

Now lets look at the faith and hope of her friends. They did not bury her. They had faith that Peter would come and bring her back to life. They washed her with warm water, believing that if there was any life left in her, warm water would revive her. It also showed that sense she did not revive, that she was truly dead and not asleep, as the Devil would have us believe about any resurrection. They laid her out in her "grave cloths" in the upper room, which was probably the meeting place for the local church.

Notice what they did next. They heard that Peter was over at Lydda where he had healed Aeneas and they sent two men over to ask Peter to come to Joppa, a distance of about 12 miles, without delay. Notice they do not tell Peter why they want him, nor does Peter ask why, it simply says that Peter rose and went with them. When they got to Joppa, they took Peter into the upper room where all the widows stood, beside Tabitha, weeping.

In the early church, this was the job of the widows, along with consoling, attending and organizing weddings and funerals. Many of these widows had been the benefactors of Tabitha's charities and proudly showed Peter the coats and garments that she had made for them. Do you remember why Job was considered a "righteous man"? He took the wool from his sheep and made garments and gave them to the poor. James says that it is not enough to say to the poor, "Be ye warmed." We must see that they are warmed.

Undoubtedly Tabitha had done many acts of charity but it was the act of clothing widows that was remembered here at her funeral. Notice they were not weeping for Tabitha, she had gone home to be with the Lord, but they were weeping for themselves and for others who might never know her acts of kindness.

Notice how Peter responds to this situation. First, he puts them all outside the room. There would be no display of what he was about to do, for we believe that at this time, even Peter did not know what was going to happen. He needed to be alone with the Lord. Secondly, Peter kneeled and prayed, as Christ did in the raising of Lazarath. Christ prayed with the authority of a Son, Peter prayed with the authority of a servant.

Notice he knelt down and prayed and then he turned to the body. Why did Peter turn away from the body when he prayed? Matthew Henry suggests that he turned from the body less the sight of the body discourage his faith. But, after being fortified by prayer, he turned toward the body of Tabitha and said, "Tabltha, rise." God's power went along with the command and she opened her eyes, life had come back into the body of Tabitha again. When she saw Peter, she sat up. This was evidence that she was truly alive. He reached out his hand and assisted her in standing.

We must know that this was not a hand that helped a weak body but rather a welcome hand or the right hand of fellowship, back into the land of the living. Then Peter called the widows back into the room and presented her to them, alive. We can only surmise the joy that took place in that room. Those who had benefited from her acts of charity, rejoiced at seeing her alive and well.

Well, what were the results of this miracle? "It became known throughout all the city of Joppa." It was spread by word of mouth and Joppa being a sea port town, it was also spread to other countries by the sailors. As the word spread, many believed in the Lord. They were now convinced that the Gospel was from God not from man. Peter was then persuaded to stay in Joppa for some time, finding the door of opportunity opened and the people eager to hear the Gospel.

Notice that while Peter was there, he stayed in the home of a poor tanner, an ordinary laborer who lived by the sea shore. He could have stayed at the home of Tabitha, who was rich and could well have put him up in great class, but Peter, out of humility, chose the home of Simon, a poor man, less he get caught up in his own glory. "Those who humble themselves, shall be exalted." And so it was and so we will see in the next chapter.

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