Atos 9
Steven Cole · Citado em PreceptAustin
Atos 9
Cole - Paul began the trip physically seeing, but spiritually blind. He ended it physically blind, but spiritually seeing. What he formerly thought that he saw, he no longer saw. What he formerly did not see, he now did see. What was formerly gain to him now was loss. What he formerly despised, he now cherished. Just as Jonah was three days and nights in the belly of the great fish, so Saul was three days and nights in the dark. When the scales fell from his eyes, he saw everything in a new light, the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in Christ. Every truly converted person can say, “I once thought that I saw, but I was blind. Now, by God’s grace, I see.” (Play Amazing Grace). (An Unlikely Conversion Acts 9:1-19) Acts 9:9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. (NASB: Lockman) KJV Acts 9:9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. Acts 9:11,12; 2 Chr 33:12,13,18,19; Esther 4:16; Jonah 3:6-8 Acts 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries See Map of Events Associated with Saul's conversion and ministry THREE DAYS WITHOUT SIGHT, FOOD OR DRINK And he was three days without sight - Does this not remind us of God's hand of discipline on another man greatly used by God, the reluctant prophet Jonah "And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights." (Jonah 1:17) Jesus of course used Jonah's experience as a type of His death, burial and resurrection (Mt 12:39-40). God was preparing Saul for what He had prepared for Saul. Swindoll suggests that "According to Saul’s recollection of this entire episode before Agrippa, he spent those three days in communication with the Lord. Saul summarized what he heard during those three days in Acts 26:16-18 (see chart on the facing page). During that time, he also received a vision reassuring him that he would regain his sight through the ministry of a Christian in Damascus (Acts 9:12)." (See Insights on Acts) And neither ate nor drank - Presumably this is an intentional fast. Acts 9:11 says he was praying, which is frequently associated with fasting in the Bible (Neh 1:4, Ps 35:13, Da 9:3, Lk 2:37, Lk 5:33, Acts 13:3, Acts 14:23). Lenski is perhaps a bit too interpretative but offers an interesting comment - Shut off from the world, blind, abstaining from food, with no one to help his soul's distress, his proud self-righteousness was conquered, and there remained only a sinner in the dust who ever after felt himself chief of all sinners. 1 Tim. 1:15. (Borrow The Interpretation of The Acts of the Apostles) Kistemaker comments "What a reversal of events! Paul, who desired to dash the believers to the ground, is lying face down on the ground. He, who wished to bring prisoners bound from Damascus to Jerusalem, now is led as a prisoner of blindness into Damascus. He, who acted with the authority of the high priest, now breaks his ties with the Jerusalem hierarchy. He, who came to triumph over the Christian faith, now submits to the Captain of this faith (Heb. 12:2)....Note the symbolism of the three days Paul spent in solitary confinement. “He is crucified with Christ, and the three days of darkness are like the three days in the tomb.” And notice the contrast of light and darkness in the account of Paul’s conversion. In spiritual blindness Paul sees Jesus in brilliant glory light. Physically blinded, Paul prays and begins to see spiritually." (Baker NT Commentary - Acts) Bruce Barton - LIFE APPLICATION - A CHANGED LIFE - Saul's conversion was undeniable: He went storming out of Jerusalem in a huff; he came stumbling into Damascus in humility (Acts 9:8-9). He went to arrest Christians; he ended up being arrested by Christ (Acts 9:1-5). He began the trip determined to wipe out the message of Christ; he ended the trip devoted to the cause of taking that message to the ends of the earth (Acts 9:19-22). He went from being a persecutor to being a persecuted one (Acts 9:23-25). In short, Saul's whole mind-set and belief system were turned upside down. He realized that Christ was not dead, but alive. Christ was not merely a Nazarene rabble-rouser; he was the Messiah, the Son of God. (Life Application Bible Commentary – Acts) Acts 9:10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." (NASB: Lockman) KJV Acts 9:10 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. Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias Acts 22:12 and the Lord said to him in a vision Acts 2:17; 10:3,17-20; Nu 12:6; Da 2:19 Ananias Behold Ge 22:1; 31:11; Exodus 3:4; 1 Sa 3:4,8-10; 2 Sa 15:26; Isa 6:8 Acts 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries See Map of Events Associated with Saul's conversion and ministry THE LORD PREPARES ANANIAS FOR A MISSION Jack Arnold has an interesting note in his introduction - Acts 9:10-31 is filled with things which mark a new creature in Christ. This section of Scripture is a fascinating study of the experiences and activities of a new Christian. It is also a sobering study on some of the pitfalls and lessons a new Christian must learn before he can be effective for Christ. As a new Christian, Paul still had to grow in grace and wrestle with ignorance, prejudice and sin in his own life. We shall find that it took years for him to come to the place where he could be an effective instrument for Jesus Christ....(focusing on Saul as a new creature in Christ Arnold divides this chapter accordingly)...New Acquaintances (9:10-11a) New Communications (9:11b-12) New Purpose for Living (9:13-15) New Burden (9:16), New Power (9:17) New Commitment (9:18) New Communion (9:19a) NEW LESSONS FROM CHRIST (Acts 9:19b-31) Need for Fellowship (9:19b) Need for Right Knowledge (9:20-21) Need for Humility (9: 22-25) Need for Patience (9:26-27) Need for Dependence (9:28-29) Need for God's Will (9:30-31) (Paul, The New Creature) Now there was a disciple (see mathetes) at Damascus named Ananias - This is one of 3 persons in Acts named Ananias (Acts 5:1, Acts 23:2). This name means "Jehovah is gracious." Jesus would enable this man to live out the truth of his name and demonstrate amazing grace to Saul! Since this Ananias is a disciple, it signifies he is a "learner," and in this context is a follower of Jesus, a believer, a Christian. Acts 22:12-16 describes the character and reputation of Ananias who had the respect of believers and unbelieving Jews... “A certain Ananias, a man who was devout (eulabes) by the standard of the Law, and well spoken of (martureo) by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing near said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very time I looked up at him. 14 “And he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear an utterance from His mouth. 15 ‘For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16 ‘Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.’ And the Lord said to him in a vision (horama), "Ananias" - Not necessary a night vision, but a condition in which the person’s consciousness is opened for a heavenly message (Haenchen). Jack Andrews on a vision - The Lord spoke to Ananias in a vision. Many are skeptical of “visions” from the Lord and rightly so. Many cults and false religions have been started by false visions (ED: Jim Jones' visions of a nuclear holocaust, Joseph Smith founder of Mormonism had visions of God the Father appearing to him). God’s primary way of speaking today is through His Spirit and through His Word! God can and does give visions but His visions will not contradict His word or blaspheme His Son, or mock His Spirit. (Sermon) (ED: I recall a woman with whom I shared the Gospel and she begin to tell me about her vision in which Jesus appeared at the foot of her bed and told her to divorce her husband! And so she did! This was not Jesus for it counters the Word of God! And sadly she never received the true Gospel.)(Expository Sermons) Related Resources: Does God still give visions to people today? Is God giving people in closed countries dreams and visions to bring them to faith in Christ? Vision (3705)(horama from horáō = to see, behold; English - panorama) describes literally that which is seen, as opposed to a figment of one's imagination (Mt 17:9; Ac 7:31; 10:3, 17, 19; 18:9). It is something that is viewed with one’s eye. It describes a supernatural vision used to give divine communication and is distinct from a dream. In Matthew's use Jesus refers to His transfiguration commanding Peter, John and James “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.” (Mt 17:9) Uses of Jesus appearing to Ananias in a vision and told to go to Saul who had seen Ananias in a vision (Acts 9:10, 12). Used of the vision of Cornelius as God begins to open the eyes of the Gentiles to the Gospel (Acts 10:3) by showing Peter a vision (Acts 10:17, 11:5). Horama is the word used by Luke to describe the Gospel going from Asia to the European continent in Acts 16:9-10+. Horama - 11 of 12 uses are in Acts - Matt. 17:9; Acts 7:31; Acts 9:10; Acts 9:12; Acts 10:3; Acts 10:17; Acts 10:19; Acts 11:5; Acts 12:9; Acts 16:9; Acts 16:10; Acts 18:9 And he said, "Here I am, Lord - Modern versions omit the word Behold (idou) before I am here a phrase which "is a Jewish idiom of availability." (Bob Utley ) Note that Ananias does not equivocate over the Lordship of Jesus, but readily recognizes Him as Lord (kurios). His Master has spoken and gained his attention which reminds me of the old depiction of the dog listening cocking up his ear at the victrola in the RCA commercial (pix). We should all be so attentive to the voice of our Master speaking to us through His Word (you are in His Word daily so you can hear from Him, aren't you?) illuminated by His Spirit. Ananias' response also reminds us of young Samuel in 1 Sa 3:10 "Then the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” God sought Ananias not because of his ability but because of his availability. Which word describes you best? Notice also that Ananias does not debate Jesus "Lordship", but immediately acknowledges Jesus as his Lord (kurios). He did not make Jesus "Lord" of his life. Jesus was the Lord of his life. (See related discussion of lordship salvation versus easy-believism). As a corollary application if we fail to say "Here I am, Lord" when He speaks through His Word, prayer, and providence, we will are unlikely to receive any instructions. God, enable us to maintain a "Here I am, Lord," mindset when You speak. In Jesus' Name. Amen. When "God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!”" his response was “Here I am.” (Ge 22:1) In a sense this call to Ananias would test his faith as the subsequent instructions attest. Men (and women) who are used by God, are those who are attentive for and responsive to His voice. Finally, Ananias response reminds me of Isaiah who wrote "Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isa. 6:8+) Ananias was about to be sent on a mission that would be an integral cog in God's wheel of changing the world by using Saul to spread the Gospel to the Gentiles. Spurgeon on Ananias' response of "Here I am, Lord." - He was ready. He did not ask, "What for?" but "Here am I," ready for anything. Are we free from reservations? Whatsoever the Lord saith to us, are we prepared to do it? What drawbacks there often are! But blessed is that man who says "Ready, aye ready!" He was all there. "Ananias." "Here am I." In prayer, in singing, how often it happens that the mind is wandering — we are not there. There is such a thing as preaching, and doing service for God with a portion of yourself. I often see upon a sunny wall a chrysalis, and when I go to take it down, I find that the summer's sun has shone upon it and the insect has developed, and left nothing but an empty case behind. How often in the pew we find the chrysalis of a man, but where is the man? Wait till tomorrow morning, and see him in his shop; there is the man; or, to follow up the figure, there is the butterfly. But if ever a man ought to be all there, it is when he is called to the service of God. He should marshal all his faculties, and every faculty should reply, "Here am I." The whole of a living man is something worth having, but a fragment is only fit to be buried. (The Good Man Ananias - A Lesson for Believers) NET Note - The Lord is directing all the events leading to the expansion of the Gospel as he works on both sides of the meeting between Paul and Ananias. “The Lord” here refers to Jesus (Acts 9:17). Bruce Barton - LIFE APPLICATION - GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE - Given Saul's selection as a key person in the vast program of God, we might think that Peter or one of the other apostles should have been chosen to minister to this important new convert. Not so. God called an unknown disciple named Ananias for this task. This has been true throughout church history. Consider this list of "nobodies": John Staupitz: The man who helped lead Martin Luther to Christ. John Egglen: Instrumental in the conversion of C. H. Spurgeon. Edward Kimball: Just a shoe salesman . . . who happened to be D. L. Moody's spiritual mentor. Mordecai Ham: A little-known evangelist who preached the night that Billy Graham yielded his life to Christ. We never know how God might use us to touch a life that will, in turn, touch millions. Yield yourself to the purposes of God, and be faithful when he calls. (Life Application Bible Commentary – Acts) QUESTION - Who was Ananias in the Bible? ANSWER - Three men by the name of Ananias appear in the Bible, and each plays a role in the New Testament book of Acts. A common name among Jews, Ananias is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Hananiah and means “Yahweh has been gracious.” The first Ananias is featured in a dramatic episode that took place in the early Jerusalem church. At that time, the newly forming community was experiencing a time of great unity. All the believers came together to sell their excess land and share their money and possessions: “There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need” (Acts 4:34–35, NLT). Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, were wealthy members of the church during this season of united purpose. When they sold a parcel of their own property, the two secretly conspired to withhold a portion of the profit for themselves and lie about the total. Ananias, who arrived first, laid the money at the apostles’ feet, claiming he had given all to the church. By divine revelation, Peter called out Ananias for lying to the Holy Spirit and to God. Upon hearing Peter’s words, Ananias fell to the ground and died. About three hours later, Sapphira arrived. Not knowing what had happened, she, too, lied about the offering and was also struck dead (Acts 5:1–11). The sin of Ananias was not that he kept back a portion of the sale of his property for himself but that he lied about it in an attempt to make himself appear more generous to people (Acts 5:4). This incident of lying to God was the first recorded public sin in the newly organized church, and it carried a severe punishment for Ananias and Sapphira. Their story serves as a warning to all believers that God does not tolerate dishonesty and hypocrisy. A second Ananias in the Bible played a part in the conversion story of the apostle Paul. After Saul of Tarsus was struck blind on the road to Damascus, he was led to the home of Judas on Straight Street. Three days later, Jesus spoke in a vision to a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord told him to go to Saul, but Ananias was afraid. He was keenly aware of Saul’s unyielding persecution of the believers in Jerusalem and his intended persecution in Damascus. God reassured Ananias, saying, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name” (Acts 9:15–16). Ananias obeyed God and found the recently converted Saul. He laid hands on him and prayed, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 9:17). Immediately, Saul was healed of his blindness and was baptized. Right away, Saul went to the synagogue in Damascus and preached about Jesus to the Jews there. Later, Saul began his ministry of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles under his Roman name, Paul. Later, Paul mentioned Ananias when he shared his testimony in Acts 22:12: “A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there.” A third Ananias in the Bible was high priest in Jerusalem during much of Paul’s early ministry. According to the Jewish historian Josephus, Ananias was appointed by Herod Agrippa II in approximately AD 48. Known for his harshness and cruelty, Ananias appears in Acts 23 during Paul’s trial in Jerusalem before the Sanhedrin council. Enraged by Paul’s defense, Ananias ordered him to be struck on the mouth (Acts 23:1–2). Paul objected, saying, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!” (verse 3). When Paul realized that he was addressing the high priest, he apologized. As Paul continued his defense, a near riot broke out in the Sanhedrin over the issue of the resurrection of the dead—a point of theology that the Pharisees and Sadducees disagreed upon (Acts 23:6–9). The Roman guard took Paul into protective custody (verse 10). Ananias was probably involved in the plot to murder Paul on his way back to court (verses 12–15), but the plot was foiled when the Roman commander found out about it and transported Paul under heavy guard to Caesarea (verses 16–35). Five days later, Ananias traveled to Caesarea and continued to pursue his case against Paul before Governor Felix (Acts 24:1). Ananias and other Jewish leaders considered Paul to be the ringleader of a troublemaking Nazarene sect that was stirring up riots among the Jews. Many of the Jews hated Ananias because of his ruthlessness and corruption, but he was protected by Rome even after he was deposed as high priest. In AD 66, at the start of the first great Jewish Revolt, Ananias was assassinated by an angry mob of anti-Roman revolutionaries.GotQuestions.org Acts 9:11 And the Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, (NASB: Lockman) KJV Acts 9:11 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, Get up and go Acts 8:26; 10:5,6; 11:13 man from Tarsus named Saul Acts 9:30; 11:25; 21:39; 22:3 For he is praying Acts 2:21; 8:22; Dt 4:29; 2 Chr 33:12,13,18,19; Job 33:18-28; Ps 32:3-6; Ps 40:1,2; 50:15; 130:1-3; Pr 15:8; Isa 55:6,7; Jer 29:12,13; Jer 31:18-20; Jonah 2:1-4; Zech 12:10; Mt 7:7,8; Luke 11:9,10; 18:7-14; Luke 23:42,43; Jn 4:10 Acts 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries See Map of Events Associated with Saul's conversion and ministry Straight Street, circa 1900 A SAINT'S SHOCKING INSTRUCTIONS And the Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight - Go is not a suggest but a command (aorist imperative). See article in Wikipedia on Straight Street, also known as Via Recta. Most streets in ancient cities were not straight but this was one of two streets in Damascus which was straight and which ran in a direct line from the eastern to the western gate of the city. Straight street would have been what was referred to in the Roman world as a decumanus maximus. Straight Street is still in existence and is known as the "Darb al-Mustaqim." Spurgeon on Jesus' instructions to Ananias - When he had thus said, "Here am I!" the Lord gave him his orders in detail. I do not say that the Lord will give us orders verbally, and I would have you not mistake your own whims for God's voice; but I do say believe that God's voice is calling you to that service which providence places in your way. God still guides His servants when they are willing to be guided. Ananias had his orders as to —1. Where he should go. The Lord knows the street and house where the sinner lives who is to be blessed by you. Only wait upon Him, and if you go in His name He will take care that you are not sent to the wrong person. 2. To whom he was to go. The Lord knows the individual whom you are to bless, and all about him. Though you have no verbal directions, yet the person who falls in your way, if you will but seek to do God's work to him, will turn out to be the person whom God intends you to bless. 3. When to go. Perhaps he had not yet left his bed, for it was a vision of the night; but he was to "Arise and go." God's errands are so important that we must not delay their performance. 4. Why he was to go. Because the Master was there already. God had inspired the prayer of the blinded persecutor, and now he was about to answer it by Ananias. Where God has ploughed we are to sow. Of that preparation you know but little, but your own duty is clear enough. 5. What he was to do when he found Saul; he was to lay his hand on him. There is a great deal in the touch of an earnest man. If you stand half a mile off from a man, and throw the gospel at him, you will miss him; but if you go close to him, and lay hold upon him, and show that you have an affection for him, you will, by God's blessing, lead him in the right way.(The Good Man Ananias - A Lesson for Believers) NET Note on Straight - The noting of the detail of the locale, ironically called ‘Straight’ Street, shows how directive and specific the Lord was. (Ed comment: The corollary message is that when the Lord instructs His servants to go somewhere or to do something, He does not stutter and we should not have to guess to where or what He is referring.) Larkin on the street named Straight in ancient times - With great porches and gates at each end and colonnades for commerce running along each side, this fashionable address would be as well known in its day as Regent Street in London or Fifth Avenue in New York is today. (Paul's Conversion and Early Ministry Acts 9:1-31) Street (4505)(rhume from rheo = to run, flow) means a narrow "runway," a narrow street, lane alley, a city thoroughfare which is relatively narrow. Four times - Mt 6:2, Lk 14:21, Acts 9:11, Acts 12:10. In Lxx only in Isa 15:3. Vine - in earlier Greek meant "the force or rush or swing of a moving body;" in later times, "a narrow road, lane or street." Gilbrant - This term can be found as early as the Fifth Century B.C. meaning “force, rush.” It is used of the “rush” of birds’ wings or the “flow” of blood through veins (cf. Liddell-Scott). However, in later Greek it was commonly used for the “street” through which soldiers might rush or charge (ibid). And inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul - "The Lord is directing all the events leading to the expansion of the Gospel as he works on both sides of the meeting between Paul and Ananias." (NET Note) Nothing else is known of this Judas who had a house on Straight street, but undoubtedly he was relatively wealthy to own a home on the major thoroughfare. While he obviously Jewish, it is not certain whether he was a believer, for a believer who knew about Saul would hardly have let him in the door! In fact, one commentator suggests a reasonable consideration that the home of Judas may have been Saul's original destination. Note that Luke switches back to the Greek version of Saul (Saulos) and if he was from Tarsus, then clearly Saul was a Hellenistic Jew. Ray
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Cole writes that "In 1Ti 1:16, Paul says, “And yet for this reason I found mercy, in order that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience, as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.” Paul’s conversion is an example for us all. It is an example of the fact that none are too far gone for God’s mighty power to save. It is an example of what God can do when He takes hold of a life. It is an example to encourage us to pray for and share with every sinner, no matter how wicked. It is an example for us to commit ourselves afresh to whatever purpose God has given us to do for His kingdom. As Paul later wrote, “For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf” (2Co 5:14-15). (Acts 9:1-19 An Unlikely Conversion) Jack Andrews - Saul's encounter with Christ changed him forever. (Sermon) He went from persecuting Christ to praising Christ. He went from plotting against Christians to preaching Christ. On the Damascus road he went from death to life; from bondage to liberty; from blindness to sight; from futility to forgiveness. Oswald Chambers - The mystery of believing (Borrow My Utmost for His Highest page 200) And he said, Who art Thou, Lord? Acts 9:5. By the miracle of Redemption Saul of Tarsus was turned in one second from a strong-willed, intense Pharisee into a humble, devoted slave of the Lord Jesus. There is nothing miraculous about the things we can explain. We command what we are able to explain, consequently it is natural to seek to explain. It is not natural to obey; nor is it necessarily sinful to disobey. There is no moral virtue in obedience unless there is a recognition of a higher authority in the one who dictates. It is possibly an emancipation to the other person if he does not obey. If one man says to another—‘You must,’ and ‘You shall,’ he breaks the human spirit and unfits it for God. A man is a slave for obeying unless behind his obedience there is a recognition of a holy God. Many a soul begins to come to God when he flings off being religious, because there is only one Master of the human heart, and that is not religion but Jesus Christ. But woe be to me if when I see Him I say—‘I will not.’ He will never insist that I do, but I have begun to sign the death-warrant of the Son of God in my soul. When I stand face to face with Jesus Christ and say—‘I will not,’ He will never insist; but I am backing away from the re-creating power of His Redemption. It is a matter of indifference to God’s grace how abominable I am if I come to the light; but woe be to me if I refuse the light (see John 3:19–21 ). He Feels Your Pain Read: Acts 9:1-5 I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. —Acts 9:5 The 20th century could well be labeled “the century of martyrs.” Thousands of Christian brothers and sisters throughout the world have been imprisoned, tortured, and murdered on account of their faith. In fact, more Christians have been killed for their faith during our century than in all the previous centuries combined. Does God care? Does the blood, pain, and death of Christ’s witnesses mean anything to Him? The first Christian martyr was Stephen. He was stoned to death for his allegiance to Jesus Christ, and a young man named Saul consented to his brutal murder (Acts 8:1). Shortly after Stephen’s death, Saul was traveling to Damascus when he was knocked to the ground. He heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 9:4). Saul might have wondered, “You? I didn’t persecute You. His name was Stephen.” Yet the voice declared, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (Acts 9:5). Every stone hurled at Stephen was hurled at Christ. Every stone that hit him hit Christ. Every pain he felt, Christ felt. The Lord Jesus knows when we are hurt for His sake. He experiences our pain. No attack comes to us that Christ does not feel. He is a sympathetic Savior. Never a weakness that He does not feel, Never a sickness that He cannot heal, Never a sorrow that He does not share, Moment by moment I'm under His care. —Whittle When You take a stand for Christ, He stands with you. Two Crucial Questions Read: Acts 9:1-9 Who are You, Lord? . . . Lord, what do You want me to do? —Acts 9:5-6 Receiving Jesus as our Savior from sin brings us into a life-changing relationship with the Son of God. Although we may not know at the time all the far-reaching implications of our commitment to Him, we cannot escape the fact that as God, He has a right to be Lord of every area of our lives. Sooner or later we must come to that point where we confess, in the words of Thomas, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). In Saul’s conversion experience, he recognized Jesus as both Savior and Lord. When Saul heard Jesus’ voice on the Damascus highway, he asked this crucial question: “Who are You, Lord?” From the answer, “I am Jesus,” Paul instantly realized that the One he had been persecuting truly was the Savior. In that moment he cast himself on His mercy. Trembling in the divine presence, he asked a second crucial question, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” He was, as Oswald Chambers puts it, “giving up his right to himself.” Believer, you’ve trusted Jesus as your Savior. You’ve settled the issue of who He is. But have you asked that second crucial question, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Say to Him today, “Lord, I’ll do whatever You ask!” Take my life and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee; Take my hands and let them move At the impulse of Thy love. —Havergal Christ who purchased us has the right to possess us. Acts 9:6 but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do." (NASB: Lockman) KJV 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. (BOLD TEXT NOT IN MORE MODERN MANUSCRIPTS - ONLY TEXTUS RECEPTUS -
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Cole - There is a lot of confusion these days about what it means to be born again. A recent book by researcher Wade Roof, Spiritual Marketplace: Baby Boomers and the Remaking of American Religion, argues that today’s “born-again” Christians are united by emotions and experiences, not by shared doctrines or moral beliefs. One-third of America’s 77 million baby boomers identify themselves as born-again Christians, but only 5 percent of those have any link to a conservative Protestant denomination. Half say that religions other than Christianity are “equally good and true.” One-third believe in reincarnation and astrology. Nearly half support abortion (from The Watchman Expositor, vol. 18, number 1, 2001, p. 22). We all need to be clear about what constitutes true conversion. We need to know it for ourselves, so that we are sure about our own conversion. We need to know it for when we talk with others about spiritual matters, since clearly not all who profess to be born again are truly saved....Humanly speaking, Saul was not a likely candidate for salvation. It would be comparable to hearing that Saddam Hussein had gotten converted and had become an evangelist to the Arabs! There was no human explanation for Saul’s conversion! But there is no human explanation for any true conversion, because salvation is from the Lord, not from man. God is able to do what we cannot imagine. (Acts 9:1-19 An Unlikely Conversion) In his autobiographical work, Surprised by Joy, C. S. Lewis describes how the Lord persistently “closed in on” him. “You must picture me alone. . . night after night, feeling . . . the steady, unrelenting approach of Him whom I so earnestly desired not to meet. That which I greatly feared had at last come upon me . . . I gave in and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed; perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England.” As influential as C. S. Lewis's conversion has been, John Stott rightly notes that “Saul's . . . is the most famous conversion in church history.” When Cambridge University student Thomas Bilney bought a Greek New Testament, his interest was purely academic. But when Bilney opened God’s Word, he encountered the gospel and was transformed. The Protestant Reformation was underway, so Bilney joined the Cambridge Protestants. He began preaching, but was arrested in 1527 and threatened into silence. But Bilney could not keep quiet. He was arrested, released, and in 1531 arrested one last time. Condemned as a heretic, Bilney died at the stake for the gospel of Christ. Like Bilney, Saul (later to be known as Paul) wasn’t interested in the truth of the gospel when he first encountered Christ. But even though Saul was a brilliant theologian and scholar, his interest wasn’t simply academic. He had murder in his heart toward the followers of Jesus. WHAT'S NEXT?" Having just received the Lord Jesus as his Savior from sin, an enthusiastic young boy blurted out, "Now what do I do? What's next?" He had the right idea! Although nothing further had to be done to receive salvation, there was much more to do to serve God. The Bible, in Ephesians 2:8-9, makes it crystal-clear that we are saved by grace through faith. We could never do anything to deserve salvation. The best we have to offer is not good enough to meet the Lord's holy standards. We experience forgiveness of sin, find peace with God, have the promise of heaven and become possessors of everlasting life by trusting the Lord Jesus and Him alone. It is impossible for anyone to earn these favors! Following conversion, however, we should respond as that young boy and the apostle Paul did, "Now what do I do? What's next?" Immediately after stating that we are not saved by works, Ephesians 2 tells us, "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (v.10). Oh, what can I give to the Master, The One who from sin set me free? I'll give Him a lifetime of service To thank Him for dying for me.- K. De Haan We cannot work for salvation, but salvation is followed by works. 'I Found Jesus' Read: Acts 9:1-6 You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. —Matthew 1:21 Sundar Singh was an angry young man. After his mother died when he was 14 years old, he became a fierce opponent of Christianity in his northern India community. But then, in a dramatic conversion, he turned in faith to Jesus Christ. For the next 25 years he exerted a far-reaching, international influence. Once he was visited by a professor of comparative religions from Europe. When that agnostic scholar asked Singh with curiosity, “What have you found in Christianity that you did not find in your traditional religion?” Singh replied, “I found Jesus.” “Yes, I know,” the professor said impatiently. “But what particular teaching or doctrine did you find?” Singh simply repeated his answer, “I found Jesus.” Singh later wrote, “When people ask me, ‘What made you a Christian?’ I can only say, ‘Christ Himself made me a Christian.’ When He revealed Himself to me, I saw His glory and was convinced that He was the living Christ.” Have you, like Saul in today’s Bible reading, had a life-changing experience with the Lord Jesus? (Acts 9:1-6). Have you been convinced that He is the only way to God? I've found a Friend, oh, such a Friend! He loved me ere I knew Him; He drew me with the cords of love, And thus He bound me to Him. --Small Many religious leaders have risen to greatness; only Jesus has risen from the grave. Start from Here! Read: Acts 9:1-9 Lord, what do You want me to do? —Acts 9:6 On June 6, 1944, three American officers huddled in a bombshell crater on Utah Beach in Normandy, France. Realizing the tide had carried them to the wrong place on the beach, the trio made an impromptu decision: “We’ll start the battle from right here.” They needed to move forward from a difficult starting point. Saul found himself in a difficult place, needing to make a decision after meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-20). Suddenly, the location and direction of his life was revealed to him as a mistake, his prior life perhaps even feeling like a waste. Moving forward would be difficult and would require hard and uncomfortable work, perhaps even facing the Christian families whose lives he had torn apart. But he responded, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” (Acts 9:6). We often find ourselves in unexpected places, places we never planned nor wanted to be. We may be drowning in debt, inhibited by physical barriers, or suffering under the weight of sin’s consequences. Whether Christ finds us this day in a prison cell or a palace, whether He finds us broken and broke or absorbed by our own selfish desires, Scripture tells us to heed Paul’s advice to forget what lies behind and to press forward toward Christ (Phil. 3:13-14). The past is no barrier to moving forward with Him. Are you paralyzed by your past? Have you drifted away from Christ? Or perhaps never even met Him? Today is the day to begin anew with Christ, even if you’ve tried and failed before. It’s not too late for a fresh start. A Noble Request Read: Acts 9:1-9 So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" —Acts 9:6 As a seminary student I was often impressed by sto ries of Christians who made a great impact for God. So I asked the Lord to give me the same spiritual insight and power they had. On the surface that looks like a noble request. But one day I realized that it was actually a self-centered prayer. So instead of asking God to make me like someone else, I began asking Him to show me what He wanted me to do. When Saul of Tarsus was converted on the road to Damascus, he asked two questions. The first was, “Who are You, Lord?” Realizing he was in the presence of the living God, only one other question mattered: “Lord, what do You want me to do?” (Acts 9:5-6). He recognized that obedience to God’s will for him was to be the central focus of the rest of his life. Requests for health, healing, success, and even spiritual power are not wrong, but they can become selfish prayers if they do not flow from a heart determined to obey God. Jesus said, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father” (John 14:21). Obedience expresses our love for God and enables us to experience His love for us. Have you made that noble request: “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Master, speak, and make me ready, When Thy voice is truly heard, With obedience glad and steady, Still to follow every word. —Havergal The best way to know God's will is to say "I will" to God. A Tale Of Two Slaves Read: Acts 9:1-9,17-18 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle. —Romans 1:1 Spartacus is not just a film legend but a historical figure. Historians say that he was likely a Roman soldier who deserted, was recaptured, and then sold into slavery as a gladiator. While at the gladiatorial school at Capua, Spartacus led a rebellion. This act of defiance attracted massive numbers of slaves, growing to an estimated 70,000. Initially, Spartacus’ slave army enjoyed spectacular victories. But they were eventually defeated, and the captured rebels were crucified along the road to Rome. What a contrast to Spartacus is the apostle Paul. Saul of Tarsus (as Paul was also known) was born a free man and yet was destined to become a slave. Acts 9 records the fateful day when Saul came face to face with the Savior he sought to oppose. From that time on, he served Jesus wholeheartedly. Spartacus was forced to serve a Roman taskmaster. But Paul, in response to God’s grace, voluntarily became a slave to Jesus Christ. In the believer’s heart rages a spiritual war between sin and righteousness. We can obey the slave-master of sin, or we can say yes to the God of grace who has made us free (Romans 6:16; John 8:34). Our greatest liberty lies in serving the One who created and redeemed us. Christ broke the bonds of sin, that I Might know His strong eternal tie; This blood-bought liberty I bring To be Your bond-slave, Master-King. -F. Hess True freedom is found in serving Christ. Dynamited Into Change Read: Acts 9:1-9 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love. —Colossians 1:13 When a newspaper editor learned that a man named Alfred Nobel had died, he assumed that the deceased must be the same man who had invented dynamite. So he published an obituary calling Nobel the merchant of death. When Nobel read the account of his own death, he reacted like a blind man suddenly gaining sight. From that day on, Nobel devoted himself to philanthropic causes—especially peace. Saul of Tarsus experienced a transformation far more dramatic than Nobel’s. While on the road to Damascus to take captive those who followed Jesus, Saul met the Lord Himself. Temporarily blinded by his encounter, Saul devoted the rest of his life to serving the One he had formerly persecuted. The enemy of Jesus became His dedicated apostle (Acts 9:15-16). Our own experience will not likely be so earthshaking. Yet we must ask ourselves if we have had an encounter with the Savior—one that has changed the direction of our lives. If that is not your experience, turn to John 3 and read what Jesus said about being born again. Then, with a simple prayer of repentance, you may open your heart to Him. An honest commitment to the Lord will put you into a new relationship with Him—one that will last for eternity. Salvation is more than breaking bad habits, it’s creating good character. A New Purpose Read: Acts 9:1-9 I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. —Jeremiah 29:11 A 60-year-old hotel in Kansas is being renovated into apartments. A rusty ship that is docked in Philadelphia is being restored and may become a hotel or a museum. Hangar 61, an admired piece of architecture at the old Stapleton Airport in Colorado, is being transformed into a church. Each structure had a specific use that is no longer viable. Yet someone was able to see promise and a new purpose in each one. If structures can find new life and purpose, why not people? Think about these men in the Bible whose lives took an unexpected direction. There was Jacob, who wrestled with the angel of the Lord (Gen. 32); Moses, who talked to a burning bush (Ex. 3); Paul, who was temporarily blinded (Acts 9). Their stories were different, but all had a change of purpose when their encounter with God sent them down a new path. We too may experience circumstances that change the course of our lives. But God reminds us of this: I loved you before you loved Me. I want to give you hope and a future. Give all your worries to Me because I care about you (1 John 4:19; Jer. 29:11; 1 Peter 5:7; John 10:10). As you cling to God’s promises, ask Him to reveal new direction and purpose for your life. God has a purpose for your life, So what you have to do Is follow Him, believing that He’ll keep directing you. —Sper Keep your eyes on the Lord and you won’t lose sight of life’s purpose. Behind The Scenes Read: Acts 9:1-16 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! —Romans 11:33 While learning to use a new computer, I was troubled by a faint clicking sound that indicated it was working even though nothing was happening on the screen. The manufacturer’s representative on the help hotline said, “No problem. The computer is probably running an application you can’t see and is working in the background.” As I thought about the phrase “working in the background,” I began to realize how visually oriented I am in my relationship with God. If I can’t see something, I assume it’s not happening. But that’s not the way God operates. I see a striking example of God’s “behind the scenes” work in the conversion of Saul. While Christians were suffering under his ruthless persecution (Acts 8:1-3), God was preparing to transform him into a dynamic representative of Christ (9:15). Is there a situation in your life today where you cannot see God working? It may be that your circumstances are resisting every attempt at change. Perhaps someone you love is obstinately refusing to respond to God. Even though it may appear that nothing is happening, God is at work—behind the scenes, in the background, accomplishing His purpose. Behind my life the Weaver stands And works His wondrous will; I leave it in His all-wise hands And trust His perfect skill. —Anon. In the drama of life, God is the director behind the scenes. Surprised by Grace Read: Acts 9:1-19 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace. Ephesians 3:7 A woman from Grand Rapids, Michigan, fell asleep on the couch after her husband had gone to bed. An intruder sneaked in through the sliding door, which the couple had forgotten to lock, and crept through the house. He entered the bedroom where the husband was sleeping and picked up the television set. The sleeping man woke up, saw a figure standing there, and whispered, "Honey, come to bed." The burglar panicked, put down the TV, grabbed a stack of money from the dresser, and ran out. The thief was in for a big surprise! The money turned out to be a stack of Christian pamphlets with a likeness of a $20 bill on one side and an explanation of the love and forgiveness God offers to people on the other side. Instead of the cash he expected, the intruder got the story of God’s love for him. God’s gift of grace shows us His love and forgiveness. I wonder what Saul expected when he realized it was Jesus appearing to him on the road to Damascus, since he had been persecuting and even killing Jesus’ followers? (Acts 9:1-9). Saul, later called Paul, must have been surprised by God’s grace toward him, which he called “a gift”: “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power” (Eph. 3:7). Have you been surprised by God’s gift of grace in your life as He shows you His love and forgiveness? Lord, Your grace is amazing to me. I’m grateful that in spite of my sinfulness, You offer Your love to me. Never measure God’s unlimited power by your limited expectations. You Can’t Say That! Read: Genesis 3:9-19 “Lord, what do You want me to do?” —Acts 9:6 According to a career-building Web site, certain words should be avoided on the job. When someone in authority asks you to do a project, you shouldn’t say, “Sure, no problem,” if you don’t mean it and aren’t going to follow through. Otherwise, you’ll become known as someone who doesn’t keep his word. And don’t say, “That’s not my job,” because you may need that person’s help in the future. And if your boss comes to you with a problem, careerbuilder.com suggests it’s best not to blame someone else and say, “It’s not my fault!” That’s the excuse Adam and Eve gave to God. They were told not to eat from the fruit on the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:16-17). When they disobeyed and were confronted by God, Adam blamed God and Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent (3:9-19). They basically said, “It’s not my fault!” Perhaps there are things we should avoid saying to God about what He’s told us to do or not to do. For example, He gives us specific instructions for Christlike behavior in 1 Corinthians 13, yet we may be tempted to say, “I just don’t feel convicted about that,” or “That’s not really my gift.” What is the Lord asking of you today? How will you respond? How about, “Yes, Lord!” God wants complete obedience, Excuses will not do; His Word and Spirit show His will— Then we must follow through. —Sper The highest motive for obeying God is the desire to please Him. Acts 9:7 The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. (NASB: Lockman) KJV Acts 9:7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. Acts 22:9; 26:13,14; Da 10:7; Mt 24:40,41 Acts 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE AFFECT ON SAUL'S TRAVELING COMPANIONS The men who traveled with him - Luke does not give specific details but clearly there were sufficient numbers accompanying Saul to allow him to bind people and bring them back to Jerusalem. Some of these men with Saul may have been Jewish "Temple police." In any event they too fell prostrate (Acts 26:14) when the heaven flashed forth light. Saul's traveling companions saw the light but only Saul saw Jesus. Imagine there shock and confusion -- Saul is lying on the ground and they hear him conversing with some unseen entity! One wonders if any of these men later received the Gospel after such a close encounter of the supernatural kind! These men were in a state as depicted by our modern idiom "scared to death" and who would blame them! Stood speechless (mute) - Acts 26:14 says they "had all fallen to the ground," but there is no conflict as they could have already risen from the ground. All except Saul as the next verse shows, though he too arose from the ground in obedience to the command of his Lord. So at the outset of Saul's conversion we see immediate obedience. This is a good model for all disciples of Jesus. And remember that delayed "obedience" is really disobedience! It is notable that Luke does not say Saul's traveling companions were blinded, but only made speechless. It was as if this supernatural event was intended only for Saul's eyes! And it follows that obviously his companions did not see the resurrected Jesus Who appeared solely to Saul's eyes. Speechless does not mean they were simply withholding their speech but that they actually were unable to speak or effectively mute. BDAG says that eneos, the verb for speechless, has the primary meaning "lacking the ability to speak; mute, then by extension speechless....the men stood speechless from fright." Eneos is used in the Septuagint to translate the Hebrew word for mute (illem cf use in Ex 4:11) in the phrase "mute dogs." Matthew
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Cole - Behold is left out of some modern translations, but it is in the original. A modern English version would be, “Whoa, check it out, dude!” Before this, as a Pharisee, Saul prayed often every day. But now, “Whoa! he is praying!” For the first time, Saul is really praying. He isn’t just reciting the ritualistic prayers of religion. He is praying from the heart, really seeking God....Truly converted people begin to pray in the true sense of the word for the first time. (An Unlikely Conversion Acts 9:1-19)
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Cole on saints - It is interesting how believers are referred to in this story. They are members of “the Way” (a description of Christians found only in Ac 9:2; Ac 19:9, Ac 19:23; Ac 22:4; Ac 24:14, Ac 24:22), showing the fact that Christ is the only way to God. They are called disciples (Ac 9:1, Ac 9:10), which means followers or learners of Jesus. They are saints (Ac 9:13), or holy ones, which refers to our being set apart from the world to God. They are “those who call upon Your name” (Ac 9:14), showing our dependence on God in prayer. And, they are brothers (Ac 9:17). But best of all, Jesus tells Saul, “You have been persecuting Me!” By persecuting the church, Saul was persecuting Jesus Himself, the Head of His body, the church. An organic and indissoluble union exists between Christ and His people. When someone harms us, he is harming our Lord. Truly converted people love the fellowship of the saints, because we are members of one another and of our exalted Head. (An Unlikely Conversion Acts 9:1-19) Related Resources: What are Christian saints according to the Bible? Are Christians sinners, saints, or both? Do we sin daily? Is it possible to go an entire day without sinning? What is a carnal Christian? How can I overcome sin in my Christian life? Why do so many Christians fail the "practice what you preach" standard? Today in the Word - Ulysses S. Grant’s first command in the Civil War was over a regiment of Illinois volunteers. As he led his troops into battle against the Confederates in northern Missouri, Grant reflected later: “My heart kept getting higher and higher until it felt to me as though it was in my throat. I would have given anything then to have been back in Illinois.” But then the thought occurred to him that the enemy had as much reason to fear him as he had to fear the enemy. Buoyed by his new insight, Grant laid aside his fears and went forward into the battle. Ananias of Damascus wished he could have stayed home the day he heard God’s voice calling him into “battle.” This otherwise unknown disciple is usually remembered for his hesitation to obey God’s instructions concerning Saul. Ananias didn’t have advance knowledge that Saul was no longer an enemy to be feared, but a brother to be embraced (v.17). This is not an excuse for Ananias’ reluctance to obey, but his objections show him to be thoroughly human. Saul’s reputation as a persecutor of the saints had preceded him. Evidently Ananias had heard that Saul was coming to Damascus, and he wanted nothing to do with this Jewish zealot. God’s answer to His reluctant hero included more information about Saul, who came to be known as Paul (Acts 13:9). But God also repeated His command, and Ananias didn’t need to be told again. His obedience is admirable, and God rewarded Ananias by using him to perform a notable miracle. As he walked to the house of Judas on Straight Street, perhaps Ananias rehearsed what he would say. He may even have realized the importance of what had happened to Saul and become excited about his new brother. We don’t know if he greeted Saul with firm or with trembling voice, but Ananias delivered his message faithfully before he disappeared into history. Most of us can identify with Ananias because we don’t consider ourselves particularly brave or heroic by the world’s standards. But God measures heroism by a different standard: obedience. That’s encouraging! Why? Because while we may not have the strength or the skill to perform heroic feats, all of us can obey God. Acts 9:14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name." (NASB: Lockman) KJV Acts 9:14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. here Acts 9:2,3 call Acts 9:21; 7:59; 22:16; Ro 10:12-14; 1 Cor 1:2; 2 Ti 2:22 Acts 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THOSE WHO CALL ON THE NAME OF JESUS And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind - To Ananias it appeared as if the Lord was asking him to walk into the "lion's mouth," and be bound and taken to Jerusalem. To bind includes the ideas of be arrested and imprisoned. As Kent Hughes said this would be the equivalent of asking Golda Meir to go and nurse to health Adolf Eichmann (Acts, p. 130). The chief priests - Why is it plural here? While there was only one official high priests (at this time probably Caiaphas), the priesthood was for life (like our Supreme Court justices) and also could be purchased from Roman officials during this time. Annas although not officially a high priest, continued to exercise authority. The more important point is that the decision to persecute saints was a unanimous opinion. It shows how much the religious leaders hated Christianity. Authority (1849)(exousia) means the right and the might (cf authority in Acts 26:10, 12). What is fascinating is that the chief priest had given Saul letters giving him authority to imprison believers, this same word (exousia) is used in Acts 26:18+ in the description of the "letters" (the Gospel) Saul received from the Great High Priest, Jesus, not to bind men but to free men from the "dominion (exousia - power) of Satan" (cf Eph 2:2+ - "power" = exousia) and turn them to God! Paul says before his conversion “While so engaged (persecuting believers) as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority (exousia) and commission of the chief priests." (Acts 26:12) Then after his conversion Paul says For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority (exousia), which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame (2 Cor 10:8) So before conversion Saul had authority from Jewish priests to destroy believers and after conversion he had authority from the true High Priest (Heb 3:1+) to build up believers. Oh, what a difference the glorious Gospel makes in a man's motives and goals! What differences has the Gospel made in your motives and goals? Are they still primarily temporally oriented, primarily on the visible? Or has the Gospel gripped you and given you a proper eternal perspective and the invisible (cf 2 Cor 4:18+)? R C
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Cole - Formerly, Saul had a mission, but it was self-willed and evil. He thought that he was serving God by eliminating these “heretics,” but he was only feeding his pride and lust for power. He was advancing beyond many of his contemporaries (Ga 1:14), climbing the religious ladder to prominence. But now, he becomes an earthen vessel, filled with God’s treasure (2 Co 4:7), with a new purpose of glorifying God, whether by life or by death (Php 1:20). Formerly, he inflicted suffering on others; now, he will suffer much for the sake of Christ. Formerly, he despised the Gentiles; now, he will offer to them the riches of Christ. (NOW PASTOR COLE APPLIES THIS TRUTH TO US TODAY!) If God has saved you from your sins, He has a purpose for your life, and it is not primarily for you to succeed in the American dream. His main purpose has to do with eternal realities. He wants to use you in His great cause of discipling the nations. He may let you fulfill His purpose by staying in America. But, He may call you to go to a country where Christ is not nearly so well known. The main thing is for you to be a willing and clean vessel, “useful to the Master, prepared for every good work” (2Ti 2:21+). (An Unlikely Conversion Acts 9:1-19) ILLUSTRATION - Adoniram Judson, the renowned missionary to Burma, endured untold hardships trying to reach the lost for Christ. For 7 heartbreaking years he suffered hunger and poverty. During this time he was thrown into Ava Prison, and for 17 months was subjected to almost incredible mistreatment. As a result, for the rest of his life he carried the ugly marks made by the chains and iron shackles which had cruelly bound him. Undaunted, upon his release he asked for permission to enter another province where he might resume preaching the Gospel. The godless ruler indignantly denied his request, saying “My people are not fools enough to listen to anything a missionary might SAY, but I fear they might be impressed by your SCARS and turn to your religion!” Acts 9:17 So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." (NASB: Lockman) KJV Acts 9:17 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. Ananias Acts 22:12,13 laying his hands Acts 6:6; 8:17; 13:3; 19:6; Mt 19:13; Mark 6:5; 1 Ti 4:14; 5:22; 2 Ti 1:6; Hebrews 6:2 Brother Acts 9:13,14; 21:20; 22:13; Ge 45:4; Luke 15:30,32; Ro 15:7; Philemon 1:16; 1 Peter 1:22,23 the Lord Acts 9:4,5,10,11,15; 10:36; 22:14; 26:15; Luke 1:16,17,76; 2:11; 1 Cor 15:8,47 that you Acts 9:8,9,12 and be filled Acts 2:4; 4:31; 8:17; 13:52 Acts 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries TRUST AND OBEDIENCE OF ANANIAS "We must obey and follow God's leading, even when he leads us to difficult people and places." - Life Application Study Bible So - So most commonly denotes continuation and further thought development. In this context it refers to Ananias' unflinching (after initially "flinching") obedience to his Lord. Jack Thompson - Think about this, the thing for which Ananias is forever honored in Scripture is for being Saul’s friend . Ananias was not a great expositor or great evangelist; he was Saul’s great friend. The greatest of all men of God need a good, trusted friend. Saul will never forget this man and neither should we. It would be Saul who would take the Gospel to Europe, which eventually came to America and ultimately to us. Ananias was a key agent in caring for Saul in the infant days of his conversion and we can thank God for Ananias’ faithfulness and willingness to do God’s will in this matter. Spurgeon on Ananias' response after Jesus' reassurance - "It was — 1. Prompt. He went his way with all speed. 2. Exact: he entered into the house, and, putting his hands on him, said, "Brother Saul." He did as he had been bidden. And if I deliver my Lord's message just as He gave it to me, then my Lord is responsible for the success of it, and not myself. 3. Loving. "Brother Saul." You cannot win souls by putting on a morose countenance. Do not be afraid to call the individual "Brother"; but take care that you mean it. Ananias did not use the term as a cant expression, but his spirit and feeling were brotherly. 4. Wise. He did not pompously say, "I am an ordained official, and therefore speak with authority"; but "The Lord, even Jesus, that appeared," etc. When he alludes to Paul's former course, he only gives a hint of it — "the Lord that appeared to thee." He does not say, "as thou camest to persecute us," but he allowed conscience to do its own work. He gives the items of his errand — "that thou mightest receive thy sight and be filled with the Holy Ghost." 5. Faithful. "Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins." The tendency with many is to say nothing upon that point.(The Good Man Ananias - A Lesson for Believers) Jack Andrews adds that "Ananias obeyed the will of God for his life. He obeyed the voice of the Lord. He was used by God to minister to one of the most, if not the most, effective Christians that has ever lived. When we are obedient to the Lord Jesus it is no telling how God will use us or who God will use us to minister to and influence for the Lord. Warren
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Cole points out that " Whether God uses us to perform a miracle or to bring a soul to salvation, we cannot rely on our own ability or take any credit for ourselves. We can only say, with Paul, that we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves." (Faith in the God of All Power Acts 9:32-43) As Paul said in Second Corinthians "we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;" (2 Cor 4:7) Alexander Maclaren said it this way - “The first condition of work for the Lord is—hide yourself behind your message, behind your Master, and make it very plain that His is the power, and that you are but a tool in the Workman’s hand” Arnold adds that "The only person who has the power to heal the physical body or the authority to forgive the sin-sick soul is Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity. If any human being claims the power to heal bodies or forgive sins, this is false doctrine coming from the mouth of a false teacher." (The Miracle Worker) This miracle recalls the miracle Jesus performed in Matthew 9... Mt 9:1 Getting into a boat, Jesus crossed over the sea and came to His own city. 2 And they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 And some of the scribes said to themselves, “This fellow blasphemes.” 4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts? 5 “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk’? 6 “But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”–then He *said to the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your bed and go home.” Heals (2390)(iaomai) means to cure, to heal, to restore. Iaomai is used literally of deliverance from physical diseases and afflictions and so to make whole, restore to bodily health or heal. Iaomai refers primarily to physical healing in the NT (although clearly there is overlap because some of these instances involved demonic oppression - Lk 9:42), and much less commonly to spiritual healing or healing (saving) from "moral illnesses" and the consequences of sin. Luke has the most NT uses of iaomai - Lk. 5:17; Lk. 6:18; Lk. 6:19; Lk. 7:7; Lk. 8:47; Lk. 9:2; Lk. 9:11; Lk. 9:42; Lk. 14:4; Lk. 17:15; Lk. 22:51; Acts 9:34; Acts 10:38; Acts 28:8; Acts 28:27 Jack Arnold - He did not say, “Aeneas, arise and Christ will heal you,” which would indicate that Aeneas had some power in himself to heal himself. No, Christ imparted healing power which enabled Aeneas to rise up. So it is in the spiritual realm, Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit moves in power on a helpless sinner to save him, and in granting that power the sinner is able to believe in Christ and be saved. “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:6-8).(The Miracle Worker) Get up and make your bed - This signifies instantaneous and full recovery. As an aside don't you wish this would work as well with your teenagers in the morning! Sometimes it seems like you need a miracle to rouse them to get ready for school! Or as Steven Cole puts it "Those of you with teenagers know just how impossible that command is, unless the Lord grants the power!" (Faith in the God of All Power Acts 9:32-43) Get up - anistemi (arise) in the aorist imperative (as is make your bed). Do this now! Don't delay! John G. Butler says “The blessing was followed by duty. The cure was followed by a command. The restoration was followed by responsibility. When God does something for you, do not be surprised if He then wants you to do something for Him.” Steven Ger - Not only did Peter heal Aeneas, but he commanded him to get up and roll up his own bedroll, reminiscent of the same lighthearted instructions Peter had witnessed Jesus giving to the paralytics He had healed (Matt. 9:6; Mark 2:11; Luke 5:24; John 5:8) (Twenty-First Century Commentary-Acts) Immediately he got up - Note this miracle was immediate, complete, perfect and permanent. Notice also that the lame man obeyed Peter immediately, this indicating that he had an element of faith. He believed Peter's words "Jesus Christ heals you." In Acts 3:7-8 Peter seized the lame man and raised him and "immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. With a leap he stood upright and began to walk." We are reminded of the prophecy of Isaiah that "Then the lame will leap like a deer." (Isa 35:6+), which is a prophecy that will be fulfilled in the Messianic Kingdom. But it is as if this healing is a foretaste of that glorious future day. Jack Andrews (Expository Sermons) applies Aeneas' immediate obedience noting that "When God gives us a command that is humanly impossible when we obey we find that His command is divinely empowered. God’s commands are coupled by God’s empowerment. He does call us to do the humanly impossible, but nothing is impossible for God. The Lord Jesus healed this man and it was evident in the man arising and making his bed....Aeneas’ healing was not just for Aeneas’ benefit. The Lord worked in Aeneas and for Aeneas and now He wanted to work through Aeneas. This man experience triumph over his sickness and his victory was in Jesus. As the old hymn states it, “I heard about His healing, of His cleansing power revealing, How He made the lame to walk again and caused the blind to see. And then I cried, “Dear Jesus, come and heal my broken spirit,’ And somehow Jesus came and brought to me the victory.” Play Victory in Jesus, Another version, Country Version - cool Immediately (2112) see above on eutheos. Uses in Acts - Acts 9:18; Acts 9:20; Acts 9:34; Acts 12:10; Acts 16:10; Acts 17:10; Acts 17:14; Acts 21:30; Acts 22:29. David Jeremiah writes “Aeneas’ healing followed the pattern of healing found in all the Bible: It was instantaneous. When blind people were healed, they saw. When lame people were healed, they walked. When deaf people were healed, they heard.” Larkin asks and answers "What is the relationship between miracle working and evangelism (Acts 9:35, 42)? In Acts, miracles accompany about half of the occasions of effective preaching of the gospel (Acts 2:4,14–41; 2:43,47; 3:1–10,11–26; 4:29, 30,33; 5:12–16; 6:8, 10,7:1–53; 8:5/6; 9:34,35; 9:40–41,42; 13:10–11,12; 14:1,3; 14:10/15–17); on the other occasions they do not (Acts 8:35–38; 9:22; 9:28–29; 10:34–43; 11:20–21; 13:16–41; 16:14–15; 16:31–34; 17:1–4; 17:22–34; 18:4–5; 19:8–10; 20:18–21). (The Mission Is Inaugurated Through Peter - Acts 9:32-11:18) A Short Course in Miracles - Many people, including many believers, think that miracles are relatively common in the Bible, but actually that is not the case. In fact, miracles were clustered around three main time periods in the past - (1) The Exodus, Wanderings, and Conquest of the Promised land (2) During the ministries of Elijah and Elisha miracles validated their prophetic message to God's people at a time when many had turned from the living God to dead idols. (3) The ministry of Jesus Christ and the days of His apostles who were instrumental in laying the foundation for His Church. Of course, God is supernatural, above nature, for He created nature, and so in one sense He is always supernaturally at work. Every saved soul is a result of His supernatural work. Miracles constitute a special element of supernatural activity, when there is an obvious display of supernatural activity (e.g., healing a lame man, raising a dead woman, etc) and usually to make a point. True miracles are a defiance of the laws of natural order and represent an undeniable display of His power to attract people's attention and to authenticate His activity or His message (or messenger, such as Moses, Elijah, Jesus, Peter, Paul, etc). In addition, miracles also may remedy a problem that could otherwise not be rectified naturally. As Charles Swindoll says "The Creator interacts with His creation from outside nature—“super-naturally”—in all sorts of ways. He creates what appear to be coincidental circumstances, He alters otherwise normal patterns of events, He empowers people to accomplish what they otherwise could not, He heals people in ways that defy medical treatment or explanation. All of these are the supernatural activities of God....The Lord never ceases to work supernaturally, but miracles are exceedingly rare....The Lord never ceases to work supernaturally, but miracles are exceedingly rare." In the future, during the time of the Tribulation described in Revelation 6-19 miraculous events will again occur with some frequency, but during that time some of those "miraculous events" will be performed by Satan who will attempt his final deception of the world (cf 2 Th 2:8-10). Of course, Satan can do nothing that God will not allow and ultimately which God will not overcome with His omnipotence! Related Resources: Are the miracles in the Bible to be taken literally? Is cessationism biblical? What is a cessationist? Why doesn't God still perform miracles like He did in the Bible? Baker Evangelical Dictionary Miracle Holman Bible Dictionary - Miracles, Signs, Wonders Torrey Topical Textbook Miracles Miracles of Christ, the Miracles through Evil Agents American Tract Society Miracle Bridgeway Bible Dictionary Miracles Easton's Bible Dictionary Miracle Fausset Bible Dictionary Miracles Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible Miracles Hastings' Dictionary of the NT Miracles Miracles (2) Watson's Theological Dictionary Miracles 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica Miracle International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Miracle Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia Miracles McClintock and Strong's Bible Encyclopedia Miracles The Jewish Encyclopedia Miracle Steven Cole - At a missions conference in 1986, Stuart Briscoe said, “All that’s being done in evangelical Christianity in America can be done with good equipment, modern media, and a few gifted men. Very little that is happening in the church is explainable solely on the basis of God’s activity and authority.” His words should make us pause and ask, “Is that true in our church? Is it true in my life personally? Is there anything that can only be explained by God’s activity and power?” Some react to such words by seeking miracles, such as speaking in tongues and divine healing. They argue that the church today should be doing the works of Jesus, and even greater works. While I believe that we should pray for the sick to be healed, we also must recognize that often it is not God’s will to heal miraculously. I do not disregard dramatic encounters with the Lord, although I think that 99 percent of what is called speaking in tongues today is not the New Testament gift. Unless a person develops discipline unto godliness and a consistent walk in the Holy Spirit, no experience, however dramatic, will result in lasting change. (Acts 9-32-43 Faith in the God of All Power) Jack Arnold on miraculous healing today (The Miracle Worker) - This raises the question, “Does Christ heal today?” The answer is obviously, “Yes.” The evidence is overwhelming that Christ does heal today. There are many recorded instances of sudden, complete and permanent healings which came to Christians and there is no known medical explanation for the cure. If we say there is no supernatural healing today, we are adopting a very unscientific attitude, for the facts prove otherwise. God does heal today through believing prayer of Christians individually and collectively and through the prayers of the elders of the church. “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him” (James 5:14-15). God, however, is not obligated to heal everyone or anyone. God heals whom and when and where He will. He is sovereign. He sometimes heals miraculously but most of the time He heals through the use of medicine and skillful doctors. There have been many good and sincere Christian ministers who were sincerely wrong in their theology about healing. Every Christian and every Christian minister has blind spots and holds to some wrong theology. No one man has all the truth but obviously some men have more truth than others. Men such as the late S. D. Gordon, a Presbyterian, and A. B. Simpson, the founder of the Christian Missionary Alliance Church, taught that healing is in the atonement of Christ. They based their thinking on two verses. “Surely our griefs (sickness) He Himself bore, And our sorrows (pains) He carried . . . And by His scourging we are healed” (Isa. 53:4-5+). “And when evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed; and He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were ill in order that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled saying, ‘HE HIMSELF TOOK OUR INFIRMITIES, AND CARRIED AWAY OUR DISEASES’” (Mt. 8:16-17). Gotquestions has a succinct explanation referencing also 1 Peter 2:24 which Arnold for some reason does not mention - Isaiah 53:5+, which is then quoted in 1 Peter 2:24, is a key verse on healing, but it is often misunderstood and misapplied. “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” The word translated “healed” can mean either spiritual or physical healing. However, the contexts (ED: Context should always be kept "king" to avoid the trap of misinterpretation and then as with Gordon and Simpson misapplication) of Isaiah 53 and 1 Peter 2 make it clear that it is speaking of spiritual healing. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24). The verse is talking about sin and righteousness, not sickness and disease. Therefore, being “healed” in both these verses is speaking of being forgiven and saved, not physically healed. (See also What does it mean that “by His stripes we are healed”?)
Atos 9
Cole comments that "when a sinner is raised from spiritual death to spiritual life, it will be evident to all who knew the person before and after. Just as these two miracles resulted in the salvation of many others who saw the evidence, so the evidence of our changed lives should attract many to our Savior." (Faith in the God of All Power Acts 9:32-43) THOUGHT - As testimony to the truth of Cole's statement, shortly after I came to faith in Christ at the late age of 39, my two oldest children came to faith and we had the joy of all three being baptized together, and were joined by my wife who had been saved several years earlier. About 30 years later my youngest son came to faith. My youngest daughter is still somewhat uncertain. The two miracles in Acts 9 beg the question "As far as you know (and you may not always know) has anyone come to faith in Christ as they witnessed your before and after behavior? This question is not meant to place you under any guilt and I am sure there have been many godly conversions where no family member followed. In fact Paul even speaks to this point in 2 Cor 2:14-16- "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?" (THERE IT IS - WHO IS ADEQUATE FOR THESE THINGS WHETHER OTHERS ARE SAVED OR TURNED OFF BY OUR NEW LIFE IN CHRIST? OF COURSE THE ANSWER IS NO ONE EXCEPT CHRIST, TO WHOM BE ALL THE GLORY. AMEN.) Cole adds this note - These two miracles must have taken everyone by surprise. There was no human hope in either situation. But where there was no human hope, God miraculously broke in with His power and accomplished in an instant what no one could ever do.Sometimes (my experience is, quite often) we view difficult situations and people from our human, horizontal perspective, forgetting that with God, nothing is impossible (Lu 1:37; Je 32:17). Sometimes we see a person who seems so far gone in sin that we despair, thinking, “There’s no way that he will ever come to Christ!” It’s true, there is no human way. But God is mighty to save sinners. Whether the corpse is washed and dressed in clean clothes or whether it is smelly and dirty, dressed in rags, it’s still a corpse. It makes no difference to God what the corpse is wearing! He has the power to impart new life to dead sinners. So we should be encouraged boldly to share the gospel with others, knowing that it is not our power or the other person’s will power that will bring about the change. It is God’s mighty power; if He raises the dead, the dead will be raised! (Faith in the God of All Power Acts 9:32-43) Brian Bill - Some of you really excel in expressions of servanthood because God has given you a special ability to serve. Perhaps you’re a quiet practitioner of acts of kindness just like Tabitha was. You notice needs that others don’t even see and you find joy in meeting them. This is one of the most important evangelistic methods because service-style evangelists touch people nobody else can reach. Serving breaks through cynicism and a helping hand can soften a hard heart. Whether it’s making meals, sewing clothes, fixing cars, hanging drywall, or working in a Food Pantry, God can use you to point people to Christ. It was Francis of Assisi who said, “At all times preach the gospel. When necessary, use words.”....The true measure of our effectiveness as a church is not defined by what happens “in here” but by what happens “out there.” James 1:27 says: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” We’ve said this before but it’s so true: No one can do everything but everyone can do something.(Sermon) And many believed in the Lord - Note that believed in the Lord is synonymous with turned to the Lord in Acts 9:35+. So the effect of the miracle resulted in "many" placing their faith in Jesus. Notice Luke says they "believed in the Lord." So while Luke does not give us any background, we can deduce with a high degree of confidence that Peter preached the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to those at Joppa (just as he would have done at Lyyda). As he had clearly stated in Acts 4:12+ (CONTEXT - Acts 4:10-11) "there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other Name (OTHER THAN JESUS) under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” And so they placed their faith in that Name, the Lord Jesus Christ. When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, John records that the response of the Jews as "positive" writing... Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him. (Jn 11:45) John later describes the negative effect of Jesus' miracle in Jn 12:10 and then the positive effect in Jn 12:11 But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also; because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus. (Jn 12:10, 11) John MacArthur said, “It may be affirmed that turning to the Lord (Acts 9:35+), a phrase commonly used in Acts, is synonymous with believing in the Lord. There is no saving faith without conversion, no true belief without repentance and transformation.” Believed (4100)(pisteuo) means to consider something (what the Bible says about Jesus) to be true and therefore worthy of trust. To have a firm conviction as to the efficacy and ability of Jesus' finished work on the Cross to save one's soul from eternal separation from God. Herbert Lockyer - The miracle in that upper chamber, then, was not a miracle for the sake of a miracle. Dorcas raised from physical death became the cause of the resurrection of many from their graves of sin and unbelief. How the church at Joppa must have increased its membership through the many who were saved as the result of the return of Dorcas from the realm of death. After the resurrection of Lazarus we read that many of the Jews believed on Jesus. Is not the same true in a spiritual resurrection? A transformed life attracts others to the Saviour Swindoll explains that "During what we call the apostolic era—the time between the Lord’s ascension and the death of John, the last of the twelve apostles—the Holy Spirit gave preachers and teachers miraculous abilities. The purpose was to validate the message of the gospel as authentically from God. As I have stated before, the book of Acts documents an unusual time of transition in history. The new covenant (Jer. 31:31-34) had come in sudden and dramatic power, and God spoke through apostles. But this time of transition came to an end. John Walvoord in his book The Holy Spirit has a helpful chapter on Temporary Spiritual Gifts. It is clear from a comparison of present-day Christian experience to that of the apostolic age that certain evident contrasts exist. While the Gospel remains unchanged, and many of God’s methods of dealing with His own continue throughout the present dispensation, certain factors disappeared with the passing of the apostles and their generation. Different explanations have been offered to account for this. No doubt the church as a whole has drifted from its moorings and is unworthy of the same display of spiritual power. In every generation, however, there has been a faithful remnant of saints true to God, and to these God can continue to reveal Himself in fullness, but even those who have remained close to apostolic doctrine have failed to evidence the same outward phenomena. The best explanation of the passing of certain gifts and their manifestation is found in the evident purpose of God in the apostolic age. During the lifetime of the apostles, it pleased God to perform many notable miracles, in some cases quite apart from the question of whether the benefit was deserved. A period of miracles is always a time when special testimony is needed to the authenticity of God’s prophets. Three notable periods of miracles are recorded in the Bible as history: (1) the period of Moses; (2) the period of Elijah and Elisha; (3) the period of Christ and the apostles. In each of these periods there was need of evidence to authenticate the message of God. In the case of Moses, the miracles performed witnessed to his office as prophet and leader, causing the people to accept his messages as from God. In the time of apostasy and declension under Elijah and Elisha, there was need for unusual witness to the power of God to call a people back to Himself, especially in lieu of priests who were true to God. In the time of Christ, again there is special need for miracles to witness to His Person, to give the proper credentials for the Messiah, and in the case of the apostles, to demonstrate that their Gospel was a message from God. An unusual display of miracles is, therefore, not an ordinary feature of each generation, to be called down at will even by the godly, but is rather articulated in the purpose of God for its value in promotion of His truth. With the completion of the New Testament, and its almost universal acceptance by those true to God, the need for further unusual display of miraculous works ceased. The preacher of today does not need the outward evidence of ability to heal or speak with tongues to substantiate the validity of his Gospel. Rather, the written Word speaks for itself, and is attended by the convicting power of the Spirit. It is not a question of the power of God to perform miracles, but simply whether it is His purpose to continue the same form of manifestation of divine power as seen in the apostolic times. Certain sects have clung to the idea that the unusual features of the apostolic age will be reproduced in any age where people truly seek them in faith from God. It is evident, however, that some of the most godly people of recent generations have been entirely without the spiritual gifts which are here classed as temporary. It is evident, also, that some who have claimed these temporary gifts in the present day have evidenced a gross indifference to the Bible as a whole, to Christian morality, and to the higher claims of a spiritual life. The history of these sects is most convincing in demonstrating that the undue seeking of spiritual gifts results only in excesses of the most unholy kind. It is impossible in the nature of the case for anyone to cover the whole realm of Christian experience. Not only in the realm of spiritual gifts but also in other fields of doctrine there has been a constant parade of those who justify doctrines on the basis of varied experiences. The final test must always be what the Scriptures actually teach. Experience may serve as a partial test of the conclusions, but in itself the Bible must be taken as the final authority. Experience ever possesses two fatal grounds for error: (1) a misapprehension of the experience itself in its content and divine origin; (2) a faulty conclusion as to the doctrinal meaning of the experience. Hence, on the one hand, an experience supposedly of divine origin may be purely psychological, or worse, a deceiving device of Satan himself. On the other hand, a genuine experience may be misunderstood and mislabeled, as the common denomination of the work of the filling of the Spirit as the baptism of the Spirit. The Christian seeking the truth must come in all humility and dependence on the Spirit to the Word of God, relying on its teachings implicitly, avoiding even by undue emphasis any warping of the truth.(See Section 3. Temporary Spiritual Gifts) ILLUSTRATION OF GOD'S MIRACULOUS POWER TO HEAL A SIN SICK SOUL - Evangelist Luis Palau answered the phone in Ecuador. On the other end, a woman requested an appointment with him the next morning at Ac 9:30. He had no idea that she was the secretary of the Communist party in Ecuador. She arrived promptly the next day, accompanied by two bodyguards who stood outside. After looking around for hidden recording devices, the woman sat down and without introduction, for 20 minutes poured out a barrage of verbal abuse, attacking the government, Christianity, and Mr. Palau’s character. At first Palau was speechless. He had never seen such hatred unleashed from anyone. When the woman finally paused for a moment, Palau snatched the silence and asked, “Madam, is there anything I can do for you? How can I help you?” She stared at him and then began to sob uncontrollably. Finally, when she was composed enough to speak, she said, “You know, in the 38 years that I have lived, you are the first person who has ever asked if he could help me.” Palau asked her name. Her face instantly hardened again. “Why do you want to know?” “Well, you’ve said a lot of things here, and I don’t even know you.” She gave him her name, Maria Benita-Perez, and for three hours she poured out her life story, which reeked with sin and guilt. Finally she paused and asked, “Palau, suppose there is a God—and I’m not saying there is—do you think He would receive a woman like me?” “Look, Maria,” Palau replied, “don’t worry about what I think; look at what God says.” He opened his Bible and turned it so she could see. “But I don’t believe in the Bi—” “But we’re supposing there’s a God, right?” Palau interjected. “Let’s suppose the Bible is His Word. Listen to what God says: ‘Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more’” (Heb 10:17). She went on to tell him more of her sins: she had stabbed a man who later committed suicide. She had led riots where people had been killed. She had been married three times, committed adultery numerous times, and done all sorts of other terrible things. Each time she told him her past sins, 17 times in all, Palau responded by quoting, “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” Finally, after a long silence, she said softly, “If He could forgive me and change me, it would be the greatest miracle in the world.” Within ten minutes, Palau witnessed that miracle as she confessed her sins, asked for God’s forgiveness, and received the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior (told in tract, The American Tract Society). God’s saving a sinner, whether a notorious sinner or a more respectable sinner, is always a miracle, no less than His healing a paralyzed man or raising a dead woman to life. He wants to use us to bring that miraculous cure to the sinners we meet. We need to remember that the gospel is nothing less than the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Ro 1:16). (Cited by Steven Cole Faith in the God of All Power Acts 9:32-43) Acts 9:43 And Peter stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon KJV 9:43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner. a tanner named Simon Acts 10:6,32 Acts 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PETER'S VISIT WAS NOT A ONE WEEK "TENT REVIVAL!" Bruce Barton - The final verse of chapter 9 mentions Peter’s lodging with Simon, a leatherworker (also called a “tanner”). This is significant because under Jewish law, leatherworkers (people who made leather out of animal hides) were considered “unclean.” Like a trickle of water through a dike, this single sentence foreshadows the great and imminent flood of God’s mercy to the Gentiles. (Borrow Life Application Commentary page 506) And Peter stayed many days in Joppa - We can only surmise that he was discipling the new disciples of Jesus. How long is many days? We cannot be definitive but clearly Luke is conveying to us the fact that Peter remained in Joppa for a while and until he was called to go to Caesarea by the Sea in Acts 10. Many days - It is interesting that only Dr Luke uses the phrase "many days" in the New Testament (10 times - Lk. 15:13; Acts 1:5; Acts 9:23; Acts 9:43; Acts 13:31; Acts 16:18; Acts 18:18; Acts 25:14; Acts 27:7; Acts 27:20). Note that Jesus used many days in Acts 1:5 to describe the disciples' coming baptism with the Spirit, which was about 10 days after His ascension (cf "forty days" in Acts 1:3 and the fact that Pentecost is fifty days after Passover). A T Robertson on many days - Luke is fond of the phrase and uses it for time, number, size. It might be “ten days, ten months, or ten years” (Page). (Acts 9 Commentary)