CHAPTER 9

1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

We left "Saul" holding the coats of the men who stoned Stephen to death (Acts 7:58). Now, we find "Saul" again vehemently involved in persecuting Christians.
One might say Saul went on a "Christian bashing tour!"

However, on the way to Damascus, Saul was blinded by a "light from heaven."
In Acts 26:13 he describes it as a brightness greater than the sun!

Accompanying the "light" was a "voice" (vs 4 above). The voice asked why Saul was persecuting Him. Saul immediately recognized the fact that the "light" and the "voice" was "Lord!" (vs 5 above)

Further, the "Lord" identified Himself as "Jesus!"

Note here the personal relationship of our Lord Jesus to His saints!
When a person persecutes the saints, Jesus considers they are persecuting HIM!! (vs 5 above)

Jesus made an very enigmatic statement here.
He stated Saul was kicking against the "pricks!"

The word "pricks" is translated from the Greek kentron indicating a goad.
These were sharp wooden spikes placed on the traces behind oxen so that if they began kicking, it would hurt them.
Oxen are symbolic of domestic animals - directly under the control of the owner.

ALL people are directly under the control of Jesus!!

When someone persecutes a Christian, they only make it hard on THEMSELVES!
Jesus takes His personal relationship with the saints SERIOUSLY!

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.
7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

Saul, being a Jew, understood the fact that ALL people are under the control of the Lord!
Therefore, his first utterance was "Lord, what will Thou have ME to DO?!"

Make note here, that no one else saw the "light," even though they heard the "voice."
This was a very personal appearance of our Lord, specifically to Saul!

WHATEVER Jesus said to do, Saul intended to DO!
So, when Jesus said "go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do," Saul WENT!!

And, Saul quite willingly waited "three days" WITHOUT food or drink for a further answer from the Lord!

At the same time this was happening to Saul, God was causing something to happen to a man named Ananias who lived in the city.

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.
11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

Our Lord appeared to Ananias in a vision.
He told Ananias to go to Saul - He even gave Ananias specific directions to the house!

Now, Ananias had heard of Saul.
He knew that Saul had "letters" which autorized him to take Christians prisoner!
So, Ananias kinda argued with the Lord!

But Jesus told him Saul was a "chosen vessel" and would be a great minister of the Gospel.

Christian, if the Lord impresses upon you to DO something DO IT!

So, Ananias trusted the Lord's protection, and WENT!

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.
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

When Ananias arrived, he went immediately about the task given to him by the Lord, Jesus.

He went to Saul, put his hands on him, and told him what Jesus had said.

"IMMEDIATELY" Saul's eyes were cleared!
This indicates two things to me:
First, when you are obedient to Christ, things will soon be cleared up!
Second, when you are obedient to Christ, you will be protected in what you do!

Saul wasted no time in being "baptized!"
When we are saved, even though we may not totally understand, our FIRST desire is to be baptized! (See Acts 8:36)

Saul also remained "certain days" with the disciples there in Damascus.
When we are saved, we also have a great desire to be with God's people for fellowship and learning!

20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?
22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

Saul was one of the very well educated Jewish men. (See Acts 26:5, and Philippians 3:5)

He knew the Old Testament!
After having been saved, he was very capable of showing Biblical PROOF that Jesus is God in flesh Who came to pay for man's sin, and offer forgiveness and eternal life.

The Old Testament prophecies of God coming in the Person of Messiah for that very purpose.
The Old Testament also prophecies of Messiah SUFFERING for man's sin!
Over many centuries, the Jewish people had refused to PREACH that, because it was not what they WANTED from God!
They WANTED God to come on a white horse, conquer the world, and deliver the world to them!
Therefore, they looked over, or conveniently left out those parts of the Old Testament.

But Paul was able to "confound" them with the preaching of REAL and GENUINE TRUTH!
And, he PROVED, from the Old Testament, that Jesus IS "very Christ!" (Messiah!)

23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:
24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.
25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

Paul stayed quite awhile in Damascus.
Because of his constant persuasive preaching, the Jews "took counsel to kill him."

The plot became known, and some "disciples"/friends helped him get away.
They put Saul in a basket, and let the basket down the side of the wall of the city - and he escaped.

Be sure, my Christian friend, ALL people will not readily receive the Gospel.
SOME will even ridicule, and perhaps plan how to get rid of you.
But GOD KNOWS!
And, God, through Christian friends will preserve you!

So, speak "the truth in love," (Eph. 4:15) AND
"Preach the word; be instant in season , out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." (2Tim. 4:2)

26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

Upon leaving Damascus, Saul went to Jerusalem.
They disciples did not readily receive him because "they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple."

But, thank God for precious encouragers like Barnabus!
Barnabus took Saul to the desciples and told the story of Saul's "Damascus road experience."
He also told them how Saul had preached "boldly" in Damascus.
And, he probably told them how Saul was so persuasive and had to escape for fear of his life.

Then, Saul was accepted and stayed there with the disciples for awhile.

29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.
30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

Saul continued to preach and prove from the Old Testament that Jesus was the Christ.
Some of the Jews in Jerusalem were "Grecians," who came from other cities to worship in Jerusalem.
Obviously, they didn't agree with Saul, and "went about (planned) to slay him."

Again, "brethren" (disciples/friends) warned Saul and took him to Caesarea (a harbor town) and sent him to Tarsus (his home town).

Our Lord does a lot of saving through His people!!
Both bringing the lost to find salvation in Christ, AND
bringing the saved through hard times in their lives!

31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

The churches had "rest!"
The persecutions cooled!
But the preaching heated up!
The churches were "multiplied" -- GREW!

A couple of things happened, caused by the Lord.
First, the main persecutor (Saul) was CONVERTED and became a tremendous EVANGELIST!
Second, the new emperor of Rome (Caligula - 37AD to 41AD) redirected the attention of the Jews to survival!
He publicly distrusted and detested the Jews and erected a statue of himself in the temple in Jerusalem.

Anyone who cannot see God's hand in these two events has to be blind.
Benjamin Franklin once said, "I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth- that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?"

The heaven is His throne, and the earth is His footstool! (See Isaiah 66:7) One might also see these Scriptural evidences of God's absolute authority over the actions of this earth.
Psalm 66:7, Psalm 103:19, Daniel 4:17, Acts 17:24)
**There are MANY others!

What this country needs is... more UNemployed politicians! (Edward Langley)
Isaiah 5:18-20 says, 18 Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope:
19 That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it:
and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it!
20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Just recently, Mikey Weinstein has compared Christian evangelism with "rape."
He sued Navy Chaplain Gordon James Klingenschmitt, PhD for praying "imprecatory" prayers
and quoting Psalm 109 in a public prayer to God. (http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/4731419354.html)

Weinstein has called Christians who stand up for moral right "agitators" and "die-hard enemies of the Constitution."
Yet, now, our Pentagon is listening to Weinstein as they consider a "new" policy on religious tolerance in the armed services!

Considering the Constitution, whatever happened to "free speech?"
As a Christian, and an American citizen, I have the right to publicly voice my moral opinions.

Is it right to employ chaplains in the armed services and then prosecute them for treason because they state their beliefs?

In an article in the Washington Post, Sally Quinn stated,
"After demands from Weinstein, the Air Forced published, but has yet to distribute, a 27- page document, which includes a cover sheet that states: "COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PUBLICATION IS MANDATORY."
"Leaders at all levels," the document says, "must avoid the actual or apparent use of their position to promote their personal religious beliefs to their subordinates or to extend preferential treatment for any religion."
It even suggested that noncompliance could result in "court-martial."

To know that our leaders are actually listening to such jargon is an insult to liberty!
It is a direct slam against freedom of speech.
And it is a "fly-in-your-face" action against the Supreme authority of our God Who "govern(s) in the affairs of men!"

Please pray that our leaders see the "good" and DO NOT call it "evil!"
Please pray that our leaders see the "evil" and DO NOT call it "good!"

32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.
33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.
34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.
35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

We see here how ONE disciple, willing to stand in faith, affected a WHOLE TOWN!!

This is NOT to say that we, as Christians, should go around trying to bring healing to ALL people!
But it does raise the point that being ACTIVE in faith can change the attitude of an entire area!

It's time Christians became VERY VOCAL about the absurdity of government trying to heal all the ills of our society.
If we create a socialist republic, then we must expect government to provide for ALL those who have LESS.
We're already providing: housing, money for bills, free education, free medical aid, etc, etc!!
The manner in which the government provides these things is to RELY on the WORKERS to pay exorbitant taxes!
However, if the workers must pay for the non-workers, soon there'll be FEWER workers!
Then, the government goes BROKE!
And, THAT's where we are in the good ole USA today!!

Christians, BE ACTIVE, SPEAK UP, STAND IN FAITH, BE VOCAL ABOUT MORALITY, TAKE ACTION!
We were not born again, washed in the blood, sealed in God's Spirit and left here to BE STILL and QUIET!!

YOU can make a difference!
You CAN MAKE a difference!

Because of Peter's stand in faith, the WHOLE town of Lydda and area of Saron began turning the the LORD!

36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.
39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

A few miles North and West from Lydda was a seacoast town named Joppa.
The news of Peter healing the lame man traveled to Joppa, and some disciples there were sent to bring Peter.
A very influential lady named "Dorcas" had died.

When Peter arrived, many were standing by crying, and showed him some of the things Dorcas had made.
Again, acting in faith, Peter shooed all the people out.
Then, again in faith, he spoke to her and said, "Tabitha, arise."
She opened her eyes and sat up!!

As a result, "it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord!"
When Christians act in faith, others will see and hear, and some will be converted!

Peter became a welcome guest in the home of "Simon a tanner."
When Christians act in faith, they are welcome in the homes of those who love the Lord!

It was in Simon's house the exciting events of the next chapter begin to take place!

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.
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