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Christ Church Study: Acts 9: 1-31

Acts of the Apostles, Acts of the Holy Spirit Acts mention the (Holy) Spirit more times than any other NT books: Acts: x60, Rom: x30, Luke: x17

Paul’s encounter with the risen Lord on the road.

When: Mid-30s AD. Probably written down by Luke about 25+ years later during Paul’s two imprisonments recorded in Acts: i) in Caesarea (57-59) and, ii) in (60-62) We have 3 accounts of this event Acts 9 This narrative account : 4-16 His defence to an angry mob on the Temple Mount : 12-20 In his trial in Caesarea before King Agrippa II and governor Festus

None of the other apostles have their testimony recorded but Paul has it 3 times! I’ve mentioned previously that the best explanation I’ve come across of why Luke wrote Acts was that both the gospel and particularly Acts was written to help with Paul’s defence at his trial in Rome. By that I mean that , who was the recipient of both volumes, was acting as Paul’s defence council. So, we have: 1. This narrative account in its chronological sequence (“an orderly account”, as Luke puts it) 2. What Paul said to the crowd on the Temple Mount in an attempt to prevent a riot 3. Paul’s speech to King Agrippa and the Roman governor Festus in his initial trial hearing The latter 2 were important situations in the context of Paul’s custody, and details of what was said would be important for the defence council.

Read Acts 9: 1-31 Initial impressions? Anything particular/new/not noticed before?

Should we use the term “conversion” for ’s experience? What does “conversion” imply? He refers to it as a “calling” (Gal 1:15) and an “appointing” (1 Tim 1:12)

Context: Damascus An ancient oasis city on the trade route from Egypt to the East via Mesopotamia Ruled by a governor under the authority the Nabatean King Aretas IV (2 Cor 11:32) 135 miles (217 km) from to Damascus – a week’s journey by foot (Paul was almost certainly not riding a horse, despite what many paintings show) It contained a large Jewish community. Josephus records that thousands of Jews in Damascus were killed during the first Jewish revolt of 66–73 AD.

1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

• Paul describes his campaign against as “zeal” for his type of Pharisaism (Phil 3:5-6) He gives more details in his letter to the Galatians (Gal: 1:13-14) • We aren’t told how many believers died because of Saul, but it was more than 1 (Acts 26:10) Christ Church Bible Study: Acts 9: 1-31

• The high priest at the time was Caiaphas or possibly John the son of Annas (see :5-6) (Caiaphas served up to 36 AD then John served 36-37) Acts 22:4-5 makes clear that the authority was from the whole Sanhedrin (council of elders) • The Way – the first time this term is used for the disciples. 4 other times 19:9,23; 24:14,22 This term has a definite Jewish flavour to it, reminiscent of Halachah – “the way of walking” In 5:19-20 we read that an angel referred to the life of the new community as “this Life”

3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him.

• The other 2 accounts say that it was midday, i.e. the sun was at its highest and brightest • He was near Damascus, probably planning to arrive there before sundown. Walking under the midday sun was something most people would have avoided if at all possible. • Acts 26:13 says the light was brighter than the sun and shone around him and his travelling companions

4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

• He fell to the ground because of a combination of fear and the “weight of glory” • The rabbis/teachers of Saul’s day said God no longer spoke in the way he did in the days of the prophets and that they could only now hear an “echo” of God’s voice. The “daughter of the voice of God”, as they called it. Saul quickly realised they were wrong – “don’t put God in a box” • All 3 accounts say Jesus addressed him as “Saul, Saul” This doubling up of a person’s name is an interesting bible study to do, 7 people are called in that way by the Lord and all 7 are pivotal moments for them and for many others because of them: Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Samuel, Martha, Simon (Peter), Saul. • It must have been overwhelming to suddenly realise he was not so much persecuting people as persecuting God, and more than that he had to give an explanation – answer “why”. • I think we can trace back Paul’s understanding and teaching about the church as the “body of Christ” to this moment of revelation on the Damascus road • Saul asks 2 questions “Who are you, Lord?”, and (in Acts 22:10) “What shall I do, Lord?” these are the 2 most important questions to ask when anyone encounters Jesus. • Saul needed no more of an explanation that “I am Jesus”. He almost certainly knew his name and reputation, and Saul may even have seen Jesus in the flesh, 2 Cor 5:16 seems to suggest it.

In Acts 26:14 we have an additional phrase which is worth considering: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the ”

• A was a long stick with a sharp point used to guide and control oxen while ploughing It suggests that there were things in Saul’s life that had been “getting at him” • Any suggestions? - The advice of his former teacher (grandson of Hillel) in :38-39 - The profound witness of Stephen at his martyrdom. Stephen’s last cry was: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” With those words, Stephen unlocked the door for Saul. - In moments of honesty, he knew failed to keep the law (to not covet) Rom 7:7 Christ Church Bible Study: Acts 9: 1-31

6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”

• Divine guidance is often like this – only revealing the next step • Jesus in in no hurry, and Saul has a lot of thinking and reflecting to do

7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.

• This was not just a vision or a hallucination, Saul’s companions heard the sound and saw the light • Acts 22:9 says they heard the voice but couldn’t understand it

8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

• I think the blindness Saul experiences is a gift from God, it enables him to focus on the meaning and implications of his life-changing encounter with Jesus. • It’s also a powerful illustration of his condition up to that time • What a contrast to his intended arrival. Instead a mighty man with authority and zeal, we see a man who has been overwhelmed both physically and spiritually and is led like a child into the city. • To go without food in this situation was probably an easy choice for Saul, but to go without water for 3 days is remarkable, and shows how seriously he took his predicament

10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.”

• Presumably this is happening on the 3rd day • The open and willing response of Ananias (“Here I am, Lord”) is a picture of submission with clear echoes of OT characters such as Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Samuel and Isaiah • It contrasts with Saul’s bull-in-a-china shop zeal against believers. He had to be stopped in his tracks. • Straight Street is still to be found in Damascus, running east-west. • “behold, he is praying”. It suggests that what Saul used to do in terms of prayer was just “going through the motions” compared with what he is doing now! • Verse 12 makes me smile – so, no pressure then, Ananias

13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”

• Honest questions are always welcome. • God’s ways are not our ways (Is 55:8), so sometimes an explanation is very helpful

15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” Christ Church Bible Study: Acts 9: 1-31

• It’s interesting that “kings” is listed together with “the Gentiles” and the “children of Israel” When Luke wrote and compiled Acts, Paul had already witnessed before King Agrippa II, and, if the idea of a defence brief is accepted, he is about to stand before Emperor Nero. • “how much he must suffer for the sake of my name”. I think this was a progressive revelation, and to a large extent it constituted the “thorn in the flesh” that Paul talks about in 2 Cor 12:7-10

17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened.

• The physical touch of Ananias on a blind man, his words of grace as a servant of the Lord, and the power of the Holy Spirit combined to make this an unforgettable victory for the Lord • “Brother Saul” - 2 amazingly powerful words, under the circumstances • The restoring of his physical sight parallels the granting of spiritual sight • Strengthened physically and spiritually, and very soon he becomes a force to be reckoned with

Several times in his letters Paul talks about his “former life”, often by way of contrast Gal 1:11-18 How he received the gospel “through a revelation of Jesus Christ” 1 Cor 15:8-10 “Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me” [Phil 3:4b-9 “as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church...”] 1 Tim 1:12-14 “… though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent person.”

What word or phrase sums up Paul’s accounts of what happened? – Grace

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.

• It’s not education that does that, it’s transformation and the power of the Spirit • “He is the Son of God”. “Son of” is a Hebrew idiom meaning the who are completely identified with each other. When Jesus uses the phrase to refer to himself (Jn 11:4) It is essentially a claim of his divinity • You get the impression that Saul really doesn’t care what the chatter is about him He’s a man on a mission! • Saul’s increase in strength is just because he was eating and drinking. I has much more to do with him being on the front line of evangelism

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.

• Interesting to note that after a relatively short time, Saul has got “disciples”.