Page 18 - acts_study_book2

THE BOOK OF ACTS

CHAPTER 9

THE CHALLENGE OF CHAPTER NINE

God’s mercy, forgiveness, and salvation are extended to all who will receive them, even to the
worst of sinners. No place in the Bible can we see this as clearly as we do with Saul, one of the
biggest enemies of the early church.

Saul’s dramatic conversion caused many to believe in Jesus Christ, and the letters written by
the Holy Spirit through his hand still instruct and encourage saints today.

Ananias’s willingness to obey God in ministering to Saul, even through the fear and doubt he
experienced, is a lesson to us that our obedience can be the difference between heaven and
hell for someone’s soul. In leading a person to the Lord, we may never know in this lifetime
how God might use that life to impact the kingdom of God.

Even when faced with the most severe persecution, we must never stop boldly proclaiming
Jesus Christ.

Part of the salvation Jesus provided includes healing, and just as the healings of Aeneas and
Dorcas in this chapter result in salvations, the same is true today of healings and miracles. We
believers need to be bold to do as the Bible instructs and lay hands on the sick and expect to
see them recover.

THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS (1-19)

Saul is still threatening and murdering the disciples of Jesus. He has gone to the high priest of
the temple in Jerusalem and asked for letters to give to the leaders of the synagogues in
Damascus. These letters would give him the right to bind up any follower of Jesus and bring
them back to Jerusalem.

But as he approaches Damascus, a light shines from heaven, he falls to the ground, and he has a
direct encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ.

INTRODUCTION

This chapter contrasts the emerging ministry of Saul (1-31) with the disappearing ministry of
Peter (32-43). Because of the deteriorating conditions in Jerusalem, Peter, who is called to the

Jews, finds his calling moving toward the Gentiles, beginning at Caesarea. In contrast, Saul’s
main call will be to the emerging Gentile nations. His call will also include the Jews, but Saul’s

1