I= I am Jesus Important Woman Raised from the Dead Acts 9

Saul/Paul’s conversion is the most famous conversion in history. Paul was born a Jew born in Tarsus. Under Gamaliel (chapter 5) he was taught the law. Remember back to Acts 7 & 8; he was at Stephen’s stoning, and he was dragging people off to prison. Now we meet him in Acts 9 with orders to arrest people. He was on the road to Damascus. Damascus was 140 miles from Jersualem. It was a one week journey. The “Way” in verse 2 is the church.

Paul’s conversion story is also in Acts 22 and 26. Around noon when a bright light flashed around Paul, he fell to the ground. A voice said, “Saul, Saul do you persecute me?” Saul answered, “Who are you Lord?” Jesus replied, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting” When Paul stood up, he was blind. For 3 days, he didn’t eat or drink. What did he do then? VS 11 says Paul was praying.

The Lord appeared to Ananias in a vision and told him to go find Paul. Paul would be waiting on Ananias to restore his sight. Ananias didn’t want to go at first. He had heard stories about Paul. The Lord insisted and told Ananias that Paul was the chosen instrument for the Gentiles.

Ananias went and laid his hands on Saul and told him to receive his sight. Then Ananias told him (Acts 22:14,15) God has appointed you to know his will and be a witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. Acts 22:16 Ananias tells him “And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.”So Paul got up and was baptized for forgiveness of his sins.

After his conversion a lot of the Jews wanted to kill Paul. But his followers heard about the attack and lowered him down in a basket, and he escaped. Paul then goes to Jerusalem. The other disciples were leary of Paul. Who wouldn’t be? But Barnabas took up for him & told everyone how Jesus had saved him.

The end of Acts 9 talks about how Tabitha/Dorcas had helped the widows and the poor people. Then she dies. Her friends sent for Peter and Peter brought her back to life.

Acts 9 Review Questions 1. What is the “Way”?______2. Name 3 things you know about Paul’s early life. ______3. Why was he on the road to Damascus? ______4. Who talked to Paul on the way? ______5. How long was he blind?______6. Why did Ananias not want to go talk to Paul? ______7. Why in Acts 22:16 was Paul baptized? ______8. What other 2 chapters in Acts gives Paul’s story? ______9. What was the purpose of miracles? ______10. What 2 towns came to believe after Jesus healed Aeneas? ______11. List 3 things we know about Tabitha ______