The Way - Day 033 (Acts 9)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
Acts 9:1-19
Luke initially introduced his readers to a man named Saul who appeared to be an active participant in the stoning of Stephen, a preacher of Jesus Christ (Acts 7:58-60). After a small diversion about the apostles’ work in Samaria (Acts 8), Luke turns his attention back to Saul who is still seen "breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord..." (9:1). From other Scriptures, we understand that Saul (Hebrew name) was born in Tarsus as a Jew (9:11) and studied under the great rabbi, Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). Saul was also a Pharisee, as was his father, making him a part of one of the most stringent Jewish sects of Jesus' day (Acts 23:6). The Pharisees were known for their obedience to the Old Testament ceremonial law and felt that the apostles' doctrine was in direct contrast to Judaism; therefore, Saul did everything in his power to destroy the teachings of Christianity by persecuting the church.

In his best effort to put fear into the hearts of Christians, Saul approaches the high priest asking for "letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem" (9:2). Saul felt that he could play an important role in eliminating Christianity; however, God had different plans for Saul. As he was on his way to Damascus, a light came down from heaven and he heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" Saul responded by asking a question, "Who are You, Lord?" " Then the Lord said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting'" (9:3-5). Saul was fearful of this voice and said, "Lord, what do You want me to do? Then the Lord said to him, 'Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do'" (9:6). There were men who were traveling with Saul, but they were astonished because they had also heard the voice but did not see anyone (9:7). Faced with a choice, Saul decided to obey the voice of God so, temporarily blinded, he was led to Damascus (9:8-9).
 
In Damascus, a man named Ananias had received a vision from the Lord saying, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight" (9:11-12). Ananias was fearful of this vision because he knew that Saul of Tarsus was a persecutor of the church, but God comforted him saying, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake" (9:15-16). After this conformation from God, Ananias obeyed the Lord and found Saul in the house of Judas. He laid his hands on him and Saul received his sight as well as the Holy Spirit (9:17-18). After being baptized, Saul was strengthened and spent some time with the disciples at Damascus (9:19).
 
This is a wonderful illustration of God taking a hardened man and changing his heart to serve Him. No one is ever too far gone or too far out of reach for God to bring conviction of sin and life change. May we never give up on praying for those whose heart seems far from God because God has the power to transform a hard heart in a moment.

Acts 9:20-31
In the first part of Acts 9, Saul was confronted by God about his persecution of the church. Saul was fearful at first but then responded to God with faith in Jesus Christ as the Messiah sent to save him from sin. He was taken to the house of Judas (not Iscariot) and a man named Ananias received a vision to go and visit Saul. When Ananias arrived, he laid his hands on Saul and he received the Holy Spirit and was baptized (9:11-19). Luke then writes that Saul immediately "preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God" (9:20). We must stop and realize that Saul's new message of salvation through Jesus Christ was a death sentence upon him; after all, weeks earlier Stephen had been martyred for preaching Jesus. Saul must have been absolutely convinced that Jesus Christ was the promised One to bring forgiveness of sin and salvation to sinners, otherwise he was risking his life for nothing.

When others observed that Saul, formerly a persecutor of the church, was now declaring that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, they were all amazed (9:21). So, "Saul increased...in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ" (9:22). Following the events of Acts 9:22, Saul retreats to Nabtean Arabia which is in the outlying area of Damascus. Luke writes that "many days were past" and we know by reading Galatians 1:17-18 that, in fact, three years pass before Saul's first visit to Jerusalem in Acts 9:26.

After his harrowing escape from the Jews (Acts 9:24-25), Saul decides to visit the disciples at Jerusalem, but he is met with much skepticism (9:26). "But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus" (9:27). The apostles must have been satisfied with Saul's testimony of conversion, so he continued his ministry in Jerusalem but the Jews "attempted to kill him" (9:30). When the other disciples found out about the plot to kill Saul, the sent him away to Tarsus (9:30).

After Saul's escape to Tarsus, several years pass and Luke documents that during this time "the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied" (9:31). Even though there was a time of intense persecution for the church, they did not compromise and eventually this boldness led to the growth of the church. Although there was much turmoil in the future of the church, God blessed their faithfulness to Him and began shaping those who professed belief in Jesus Christ.

Acts 9:32-43
Saul, who was once a persecutor of the church, was now boldly preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, but his message disrupted the teachers of Judaism.  We know that they were plotting to kill him so others took him away to a safe place in Tarsus (9:29-30).  Luke then writes that the church experiences a time of peace which was made possible through some changes which were happening in the region.  During this period of rest for the church, they grew in numbers and in their faith.
Luke, the author of Acts, shifts his focus back to Peter for a brief time in the later half of Acts 9 through Acts 12.  In Acts 9, Luke documents two healings which took place by the power of the Holy Spirit through the hands of Peter.  One was a man named Aeneas who had been bed fast for eight years and was also paralyzed.  Peter commands him to get up and make his bed and the man immediately rose up (9:32-34).  When those who were in the city saw that Aeneas had been healed, they "turned to the Lord" (9:35).  The second healing which followed was a little more dramatic than the first.  A woman named Tabitha (which is translated, Dorcas) who was "full of good works and charitable deeds...became sick and died" (9:36-37a).  The people placed her body in an upper room (9:37b) which was not really customary for a culture which usually buried their dead immediately.  It is as if the believers in the church had great faith that Peter could do something about this woman's death.  The disciples in Joppa sent for Peter in Lydda (about 12 miles apart) and he was brought to the upper room where this woman's body was laid (9:38-39a).  As Peter entered this circumstance, he found widows weeping and showing him the tunics and garments Dorcas made for the poor (9:39b).  Peter asks them all to leave the room where he "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" (9:40).  Peter calls for the people who were waiting outside the room and "he presented her alive" (9:41).  The raising of Dorcas to life is the first place in the early church where a person is brought back to life and this miracle brought much attention to the ministry of the apostles and "it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord" (9:42).
As with any miracles we read about in the Bible, the emphasis should not be on the specific miracle(s) being performed; however, our focus should be on the God of the miracle.  The miracle is not worthy of worship, but God is.  Whenever we read about these miraculous things which God has done through His apostles and prophets of old, we should be reminded that our God can do anything.  Nothing is impossible with God.  Although I do not believe that God desires everyone to be healed of their sicknesses and infirmities, I do believe that He will draw those close to Him who see beyond what He has done to who He really is.  Whether you have been healed of some life-threatening sickness or you are still struggling with a debilitating disease, may you see that God is all-powerful and His desire is that many would believe on the name of Jesus Christ...maybe through your healing or through the strength God has provided you to endure trials.

Dear God, thank You for preserving these miracles for all generations that we might witness Your great power and might.  Help us to see that You are all-powerful, no matter if You choose to heal or not.