A New Man on Mission
[ READ ] Acts 9:20-43
Saul Proclaims Jesus in Synagogues
For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” 21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.
Saul Escapes from Damascus
23 When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, 24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, 25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.
Saul in Jerusalem
26 And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. 30 And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.
The Healing of Aeneas
32 Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. 35 And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
Dorcas Restored to Life
36 Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. 37 In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.” 39 So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.
For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” 21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.
Saul Escapes from Damascus
23 When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, 24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, 25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.
Saul in Jerusalem
26 And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. 30 And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.
The Healing of Aeneas
32 Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. 35 And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
Dorcas Restored to Life
36 Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. 37 In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.” 39 So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.
In my opinion this passage is one of the most fascinating accounts of the early church! We read that Paul has already faced many obstacles in his juvenile faith. I love verses 23-25 because it reminds me of Mark 2 and the four friends who lowered the paralyzed man through the roof to meet Jesus.
Although we see instantaneous healing and Tabitha’s resurrection, we can’t ignore the miracle of the disciples’ hearts being softened to Paul. Everyone knew that Saul had tortured and imprisoned followers of the Way. So why would the apostles believe he was a true disciple? They were indeed skeptical at first but Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”) testified to Paul’s faithfulness. Although it had been 3 years since his conversion, Paul’s ministry had not joined forces with Jesus’ original disciples. Imagine how the Holy Spirit must have moved in their hearts to link arms with a man who might have killed their friends. Even to the point that when the brothers learned the Hellenists were seeking to kill Paul, they intervened for the sake of his ministry. The Gospel was further preached because the apostles put their fear aside in order to unite with the transformed Saul.
“So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.” It’s amazing to me that the early church was advanced so much because of this unity in the Holy Spirit. What could we be missing out on because of our own unwillingness to pursue His purposes?
- Cara Fowler
Although we see instantaneous healing and Tabitha’s resurrection, we can’t ignore the miracle of the disciples’ hearts being softened to Paul. Everyone knew that Saul had tortured and imprisoned followers of the Way. So why would the apostles believe he was a true disciple? They were indeed skeptical at first but Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”) testified to Paul’s faithfulness. Although it had been 3 years since his conversion, Paul’s ministry had not joined forces with Jesus’ original disciples. Imagine how the Holy Spirit must have moved in their hearts to link arms with a man who might have killed their friends. Even to the point that when the brothers learned the Hellenists were seeking to kill Paul, they intervened for the sake of his ministry. The Gospel was further preached because the apostles put their fear aside in order to unite with the transformed Saul.
“So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.” It’s amazing to me that the early church was advanced so much because of this unity in the Holy Spirit. What could we be missing out on because of our own unwillingness to pursue His purposes?
- Cara Fowler
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ Read Galatians 1:11-24. How does hearing the account through Paul’s words change our understanding of Acts 9?
+ The Hellenists were Greek-speaking diasporic Jews living outside of Palestine. Why do you think Paul would be disputing against them and why would they be seeking to kill him? (v29).
+ Read Galatians 1:11-24. How does hearing the account through Paul’s words change our understanding of Acts 9?
+ The Hellenists were Greek-speaking diasporic Jews living outside of Palestine. Why do you think Paul would be disputing against them and why would they be seeking to kill him? (v29).
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Why did the disciples believe that Paul was actually a follower of Jesus? (v26-27)? How might our testimonies bear witness in the same way to those around us?
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Why did the disciples believe that Paul was actually a follower of Jesus? (v26-27)? How might our testimonies bear witness in the same way to those around us?
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Lord, humble us in Your Spirit and allow us to see your purposes for those around us. God will you use us as Your instruments even when we don’t understand. We pray that your church in Annapolis will have peace, be built up, and multiply. We ask that you help us understand Your Word so that we might grow in our love for You. Amen.
+ Pray with me:
Lord, humble us in Your Spirit and allow us to see your purposes for those around us. God will you use us as Your instruments even when we don’t understand. We pray that your church in Annapolis will have peace, be built up, and multiply. We ask that you help us understand Your Word so that we might grow in our love for You. Amen.
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
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