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Acts+9.1-19+FINAL EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT * 08.09.2020 180Acts 9:1-19 SAUL’S CONVERSION NEAR DAMASCUS ACTS 9:1-19 Acts 5:34–39 (ESV) Gamaliel influences the Sanhedrin. 34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice … GAMALIEL a respected rabbi and leading authority of the law in the first century. Grandson of the great Jewish teacher Hillel the Elder, founder of the House of Hillel school of tannaim. Gamaliel was recognized as a Pharisee doctor of Halakha (Jewish law). In the Talmud he bears the title of Nasi (prince) and Rabban (our master), he held a senior position in the highest court in Jerusalem. Reputed to be the greatest teacher in the annals of Judaism. “Since Rabban the Elder died, there has been no more reverence for the law, and purity and piety died out at the same time.” (Sotah 9:15) Acts 5:34–39 (ESV) Gamaliel influences the Sanhedrin. 34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Gamaliel’sIsrael, take care what Principle: you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred,The joined long-term him. He was killed, course and all who offollowed future him were events dispersed and is came strictly to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people aftercorrelated him. He too perished, with and all the who followed truth him quality were scattered. of the antecedent 38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if itevent. is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You mightThe even truth be found about opposing God!” Jesus So they dependstook his advice … on consequent events that transpire in the future. GAMALIELIn a respected modern rabbi and leadinglanguage authority of the what law in the isfirst century.truthful Grandson today of the great Jewish teacher Hillel the Elder, founder of the House of Hillel school of tannaim. Gamaliel was recognized as a Pharisee doctor of Halakha (Jewishwill law).be In theproven Talmud he bears in the the title of future; Nasi (prince) and Rabban (our master), he held a senior position in the highest court in Jerusalem. Reputed to be the greatest teacher in the annals of Judaism. “Since Rabban the Elder died, there has been no more reverence for weigh one’sthe optionslaw, and purity in responding a and piety diedcertain out at the same way time.” (Sotahnow. 9:15) Barnabas brings Paul to Antioch to preach Acts 11:22-26 Antioch Acts 9:3-25 Gal 1:17 2 Cor 11:32-33 3 years Paul taught by Jesus in Galilee desert Acts 9:30 Gal 1:10-18 150 miles 4 days walk Stephen martyred., believers scattered Acts 9:1-2, 29-29: Gal 1:18-20 Acts 8:1-4 ACTS 9:1 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. TWO BIGGEST QUESTIONS BY SAUL? Paul’s testimony in Caesarea Luke’s narrative about Paul’s Paul’s speech before the crowd Agrippa and Festus conversion at Jerusalem Acts 22 Acts 26 Acts 9 26:12 In this connection, 3 Now as he went on his I journeyed to Damascus with way, he approached the authority Damascus, and suddenly a and commission light of the chief priests. from heaven shone around 13 At midday, O king, 22:6 As I was on my way and him. I saw on the way a light from 4 drew near to Damascus, about And falling to the ground, heaven, brighter than the he heard a voice saying to noon a great light from heaven shown around me. sun, that shone around me him, “Saul, Saul, why are 7 And I fell to the ground and and those who journeyed you persecuting me?” heard a voice with me. saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ Paul’s testimony in Caesarea Luke’s narrative about Paul’s Paul’s speech before the crowd Agrippa and Festus conversion at Jerusalem Acts 22 Acts 26 Acts 9 26:12 In this connection, 3 Now as he went on his I journeyed to Damascus with way, he approached the authority Damascus, and suddenly a and commission light of the chief priests. from heaven shone around 13 At midday, O king, 22:6 As I was on my way and him. I saw on the way a light from 4 drew near to Damascus, about And falling to the ground, heaven, brighter than the he heard a voice saying to “Saul,noon a great light Saul,from heaven shown around me. sun, that shone around me him, “Saul, Saul, why are 7 And I fell to the ground and and those who journeyed youwhy persecuting are me?” you persecutingheard a voice withme?” me. saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ HERETICS: Polytheists (Jesus is God; Jehovah is God) (Acts 6:11-13) Q: WHY DID PAUL DECEIVERS: Jesus’ Body was stolen not raised (Matt 28:11) PERSECUTE THE Miracle power came from Satan CHRISTIAN-JEWS RESCUER: Considered himself an OT “Phineas” (Num.25:1-9) Saving Judaism from the Jesus’ virus. (Deut.4:3-4) SO INTENSELY? DEFENDER: “The Way” blasphemed the Law AUTHORITY: Given by Chief Priests and Council (Acts 9:2) PENTATEUCH: Anyone hung on a tree is cursed. (Deut. 21:23) CONTENTION: The CROSS (1 Cor 1:23) Acts 9 Acts 22 Acts 26 Luke Narrative Jerusalem Caesarea 5 And he said, 8. And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ 26:14 And when we had all fallen to the And he said to me, ground, “Who are you, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are I heard a voice saying to me in the Lord?” persecuting. Hebrew language, 9 Now those who were with me saw the ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting And he said, light but did not understand the voice me? It is hard for you to kick against “I am Jesus, whom of the one the goads. who was speaking to me. And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord? you are persecuting. 10. And I said, And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom 6 But rise and enter ‘What shall I do, Lord? you are persecuting. And the Lord said to me, the city, and 16 But rise and stand upon ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, your feet, for I have appeared to you you will be told and there you will be told for this purpose what you are to do.” all that is appointed for you to do.’ TWO BIGGEST QUESTIONS BY SAUL? Acts 9:5 . “Who are you, Lord?” Jesus is ALIVE !!!! Gamaliel’s Principle applies Saul must reverse his thoughts, allegiance, commitment What got your attention about the way God got Paul’s attention? Everyone in the travel group fell to the ground. All in the group saw the light. In the middle of the day? A light “shown from heaven” “great light from heaven” “brighter than the sun” that could knock people to the ground? A voice that spoke in Hebrew. All heard the voice, no one but Saul understood the words. Acts 9 Acts 22 Acts 26 Luke Narrative Jerusalem Caesarea 7 The men who were traveling 11 And since To appoint you as a servant with him stood speechless, I could not see and witness to the things hearing the voice because of the brightness in which you have seen me but seeing no one. and to those in which of that light, I will appear to you, 8 Saul rose from the ground, I was led by the hand 17 delivering you and although his eyes by those from your people were opened, he saw nothing. who were with me. and from the Gentiles --- So they led him to whom I am sending you by the hand and brought him 18 to open their eyes into Damascus.
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