The gospel is being spread throughout Judaea and Samaria, just like the Lord wanted. Ethiopia has also heard the good news! But, God wants the gospel to go to every corner of the earth.
The Apostles were trying to tell others as loudly as they could. But, they were having a hard time doing this because of persecution by the Jewish religious leaders. One man in particular was especially zealous.
Acts 9:1-2- And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
Saul had been present during the death of the first martyr for Christ, Stephen. Though Saul hadn't thrown the stones with his own hands, he watched the coats of those who had committed the murder and that made him and accomplice.
But, Saul had gone even further than that. First, he went throughout Jerusalem dragging Christians before the wicked religious leaders. Many of these Christians were killed because they wouldn't renounce Jesus.
Next, Saul asked for letters from the religious leaders to travel to the cities that fleeing Christians had run to. He was determined to gather all the Christians he could and wipe out this new religion that threatened traditional Judaism.
But, God had other plans.
Acts 9:3-5- And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 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.
As Saul journeyed to Damascus, he came into contact with the Lord Jesus Christ. A light shined down from heaven and it was so bright that it knocked Saul to the ground!
Then he heard a voice emanating from the light. It was the Lord Jesus Christ asking him why he was going around hurting Him. When we go around hurting other Christians, we are actually hurting Jesus!
Philippinas 3:4-6- Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Saul had an impressive resume. He followed all the laws of the Pharisees. As far as the religious leaders were concerned he was blameless. But, he was very guilty as far as God was concerned, and he knew it.
You see, Saul knew by watching these Christians that he was doing wrong. Something was bothering his conscience and he was ignoring it. It was almost like being stuck by a thorn, but that thorn was a spiritual one pricking at his heart. That's why Jesus told him it was hard to kick against the pricks.
Acts 9:6- And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
Saul knew the it was the Lord Jesus Christ that spoke to him. He also knew that it was time to submit. He asked Jesus what he was suppose to do.
Jesus told Saul to go into the city he was traveling to and wait.
Acts 9:7-8- And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
Saul wasn't traveling alone. There were others with him who saw all that had happened. They saw the light. They heard the voice. But, they didn't see from whence it came.
When Saul stood up from under that spotlight, he was blind. The men he was traveling with had to lead him into the city.
Acts 9:9- And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
Have you ever heard the saying "Patience is a virtue"? Well, it may come from the fact that God always takes His time!
Saul was blind for 3 days! He was distraught over all that he had done, and all that he had just realized. He wouldn't eat or drink anything until he found out what he could do to make it right.
Jesus had a person that He was going to send to Saul. Perhaps it took three days to convince this man to go since everyone knew who Saul was and what he did to Christians.
Acts 9:10-16- And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
Jesus had a special commission for Saul. Saul would take the gospel farther than Judaea and Samaria. He would take it before the kings of the Gentiles in many different lands.
But, first, Ananias had to go and tell Saul the things that he needs to know.
Acts 9:17-19- And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
After Ananias visited Saul and restored his sight, Saul go to work learning as much as he could about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 9:20-22- And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
Saul not only learned as much as he could, but being a former Pharisee he knew the Old Testament. He could now see that the Lord Jesus Christ was all through the Scriptures! And he went about proving to anyone that would hear that Jesus was the Messiah.
This made God happy! But, it made the religious leaders very upset.
Acts 9:23-24- And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.
The religious leaders decided that they needed to kill their zealot. They took every precaution to seal the city so that Saul couldn't escape.
But, God wasn't ready for Saul to die yet.
Acts 9:25- Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.
Saul escaped the city of Damascus, but he didn't go back to Jerusalem right away. He needed some time to understand what had happened, and what was going to happen in his life. Paul tells us about this in his letter to the Galatians:
Galatians 1:15-18- But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
Acts 9:26And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
Saul's reputation was known far and wide. When he got to Jerusalem, even though it had been years since he had persecuted the church, the Apostles were wary of him.
Acts 9:27-30- But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
A Christian named Barnabas believed Saul. He went out of his way to make sure that Saul was seen and heard by the Apostles.
Saul became as bold to preach Christ as he had been to destroy Christianity.
This made some of the people in Jerusalem want to kill him.
The Apostles decided to send him elsewhere to preach.
Acts 9:31- Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
