The Journey to Damascus, 9:1-9.
[1-2] We turn back to the events of the persecution (8:3). Stephen had been killed. Christians in Jerusalem had fled. Saul wanted to find every root of this Christian movement. He wanted to destroy it. During his persecutions, he obtained official permission to go to Damascus and search for Christians in the synagogues. The synagogues were meeting places of the Jews. Even after the Jews became Christians, they continued to meet in the synagogues with their fellow Jews. At first, they did not see Christianity as anything but a Jewish religious movement. They continued to follow the laws of Moses. Also, they probably considered that meeting in the synagogues was an opportunity to teach others about Christ. These new Christians were known as people of “The Way” (Acts 19:9; 22:4; 24:14, 22). This referred to the Christian movement, the way of life or way of salvation.
[3-4] On this journey, a completely unexpected event occurred. The Lord appeared to Saul. Saul had believed that this person known as Jesus of Nazareth was an imposter. He thought Jesus was a false teacher and that Christians were following a false way. So he was trying to stop the movement. He wanted pure Judaism to continue. But now he was convinced he had been mistaken. His life changed completely.
We learn some important lessons here. First, who would have considered Saul a good prospect for conversion? Sometimes we forget the power of God. We think of evil men in our villages and think we need not even speak to them about Christ, for they will not listen. Let us be encouraged to speak to all men. If they see the power of God, they will be converted. God’s power is great enough to change the greatest sinner. The gospel is God’s power to save (Romans 1:16). When Saul realized he was wrong, he was willing to change immediately. We must have this same attitude.
[5-9] It was Jesus Christ who appeared to him. Saul was not saved there on the road. Some teach that he was, but the Bible does not say that. He was told to go into Damascus, where he was told what to do next. He spent three days in misery, fasting and praying. He did not know what to do. If he had been saved on the road, he was a very miserable Christian!
Acts 9:10-19
10 There was a follower of Jesus in Damascus. His name was Ananias. The Lord Jesus spoke to Ananias in a vision, saying: “Ananias!” Ananias answered, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 The Lord said to Ananias, “Get up and go to Straight Street. Find the house of Judas. Ask for a man named Saul, from the city of Tarsus. He is there now, praying. 12 In a vision, a man named Ananias came to him and put his hands on him, so that he could see again.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, many people have told me about this man Saul. They told me about how many terrible things he did to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 Now he has come to Damascus. The ruling priests have given him the authority to arrest all people who trust in your name.” 15 But the Lord Jesus said to Ananias, “Go! I have chosen Saul for an important work. He will carry my name to kings, to the Jewish people, and to other nations. 16I will show Saul the things he must suffer for my name.” 17 So Ananias left and went to the house of Judas. He put his hands on Saul and said, “Saul, my brother, the Lord Jesus sent me. He is the one you saw on the road when you came here. He sent me, so that you may see again and so that you may be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something which looked like fish scales fell off Saul’s eyes. Saul could see again! He got up and was immersed. 19 Then he ate some food and began to feel strong again. Saul stayed with the followers of Jesus in Damascus for a few days.
Saul’s Baptism, 9:10-19.
[10-16] Ananias was a servant of the Lord in Damascus. There are three men by the name Ananias in Acts (Acts 5:1; 9:10; 23:2). He was told to go to meet Saul. He was told just where Saul could be found. The Lord knows all about us! Ananias was afraid of Saul. He had heard much about this persecutor. But the Lord told him Saul was specially chosen. God had chosen this man to evangelize the Gentiles.
[17-19] Ananias trusted the Lord’s guidance and went to Saul. Evidently, the Lord had explained to Ananias what had happened on the road. He told Saul his purpose for coming. He addressed Saul as “brother” because they were Jewish brothers. This term was used often between fellow Jews.
Saul was healed of his blindness. Though he had not eaten for three days, he did not at once take food. First, he was immersed. Then he received food to strengthen his body. We must note in this and other instances of baptism that believers were immersed immediately. This is quite different from the widespread practice of requiring people to attend catechism classes or other instruction classes for a number of months before being baptized. Let the Bible be our example in all things.
Saul Preached Christ in Damascus, 9:20-22
Acts 9:20-30
20 Very soon he began to preach about Jesus in the synagogues, “Jesus is the Son of God!” 21 Everyone who heard Saul was surprised. They were saying, “This is the same man who was in Jerusalem. He was trying to destroy the people who trust in this name! He had come here to do the same thing, to arrest the followers of Jesus and take them back to Jerusalem to the ruling priests.” 22 But Saul became more and more powerful. He proved that Jesus is the Messiah. His proofs were so strong that the Jewish leaders who lived in Damascus didn’t know how to answer him. 23 After many days, the Jewish leaders made plans to kill Saul. 24 The Jews were watching the city gates day and night. They wanted to kill him, but Saul learned about their plan. 25 One night some followers whom Saul had taught, helped him leave the city. The followers put him in a basket. Then they lowered him down through a hole in the city walls. 26 Then Saul went to Jerusalem. He was trying to join the group of followers, but they were all afraid of him; they didn’t believe that Saul truly was a follower of Jesus, 27 but Barnabas accepted him and brought him to the apostles. Barnabas told them that Saul had seen the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus. He explained to the apostles how the Lord had spoken to Saul. Then he told them how in Damascus Saul had preached to the people in the name of the Lord without fear. 28 And so, Saul stayed with the followers. He went everywhere in Jerusalem, preaching with the authority of the Lord Jesus without fear. 29 Saul often talked with the Jewish people who spoke Greek. He had arguments with them. So, they were trying to kill him. 30 When the brothers learned about this, they took Saul to the city of Caesarea. From Caesarea, they sent Saul to the city of Tarsus.
[20-22] In Galatians 1:15-17, Paul explained some of the events of his conversion. The Lord revealed Himself further to Saul, and he began immediately to preach the truth which he had learned.
Saul Leaves Damascus, 9:23-25.
[23-26] Saul’s preaching aroused the anger of the Jews. Such anger among religious leaders was an indication that religion had become nothing but a formal ritual. Their hearts were not pure. Christ came to change the heart so people would truly be reconciled to God.
Saul Is Persecuted in Jerusalem and Then Goes To Tarsus, 9:26-30.
[26-30] The disciples in Jerusalem knew how Saul had been a persecutor. They could not believe that he was now a disciple. No doubt they thought he was pretending to be a disciple in order to trick them and in this way imprison them. However, somehow Barnabas knew about the conversion of Saul.
Saul soon aroused the opposition of the Jews again and had to flee. The brethren brought him to Caesarea, and from there, he went to Tarsus. Tarsus was the city where Saul grew up. No doubt he taught many of his old friends about Christ. He also travelled throughout the regions of Syria and Cilicia, preaching the gospel (Galatians 1:21-24).
Acts 9:31-39
31 Everywhere in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, God’s people had a time of peace. With the help of the Holy Spirit, the group became stronger and stronger. The believers showed that they respected the Lord by the way they lived. Because of this, the group of believers grew larger and larger. 32 Peter was traveling through all of the towns around Jerusalem. He visited the holy people who lived in the town of Lydda. 33 In Lydda he met a paralyzed man named Aeneas. Aeneas had not been able to leave his bed for the past eight years. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed! You can do this for yourself now!” Aeneas got up immediately. 35 All of the people living in Lydda and on the plain of Sharon saw him. These people turned to the Lord Jesus. 36 In the town of Joppa, there was a follower of Jesus named Tabitha. (Her Greek name, Dorcas, means “a deer.”) She always did good things for people. She always gave to people in need. 37 While Peter was in Lydda, Tabitha became sick and died. They washed her body and put it in an upstairs room. 38 The followers in Joppa heard that Peter was in Lydda. (Lydda is near Joppa.) So, they sent two men to Peter. They begged him, “Hurry, please come quickly!” 39 Peter got ready and went with them. When he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room. All of the widows stood around Peter. They were crying. They showed him the shirts and robes which Dorcas had made while she was still alive.