Acts Chapter 9
As we continue through the book of Acts, we see that being told by Jesus to wait
for the filling of the Holy Spirit; that after being filled, the disciples were able to do
mighty exploits. Even in the face of death, they boldly proclaimed Jesus, and many
came to the church.
We have learned from the scriptures that after Stephen was stoned, that the
disciples went out to other cities. Actually this is what Jesus said in Mark 16:15
“and He said to them, go you into all the world and preach the gospel to every
creature”.
Philip went to Samaria and preached and many came to the Lord seeing the signs
and wonders which were done through him. Then the apostles heard of this and
sent Peter and John who prayed and laid hands on those who believed and they
received the Holy Spirit. Philip was also sent by the Holy Spirit to teach the eunuch
from Ethiopian and he was baptized then returned to Ethiopia.
Now Saul who was the one holding the clothing for them that stoned Stephen
desired to have permission to go to bring those who followed Jesus back to
Jerusalem so that they could be persecuted and we read in Acts 9:1-2 which says
“and Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of
the Lord, went to the high priest. And desired of him letters to Damascus to the
synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he
might bring them bound to Jerusalem”.
But Jesus met him on his way, verses 3-6 says “and as he journeyed, he came
near Damascus; and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven.
And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why
persecute you Me?
And he said, who are You, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you
persecute; it is hard for you to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and
astonished said, Lord, what will You have me to do? And the Lord said to him,
arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told you what you must do”.
When Saul met Jesus, the light was so bright that he was blinded and we see in
verses 7-8 that he needed help from those who journeyed with him. It says “and
men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no
man. And Saul arose from the earth, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no
man, but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus”.
This experience of meeting Jesus impressed him so, that he fasted and prayed to
God, for three days, verse 9 says “and he was three days without sight, and
neither did eat nor drink”.
At the same time that Saul was praying, the Lord called Ananias and said to him in
verses 10-16 “and there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and
to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias, and he said, behold I am here, Lord. And
the Lord said to him, arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and
enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus, for, he prays. And
has seen in a vision a man named, Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on
him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard
by many of this man, how much evil he has done to Your saints at Jerusalem. And
here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on Your name. But
the Lord said to him, go your way, for he is a chosen vessel to Me, to bear My
name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him
how great things he must suffer for My name’s sake”.
Although Ananias was puzzled he was obedient and did as the Lord had told him,
and in verses 17-19 it says “and Ananias went his way, and entered into the
house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that
appeared to you in the way as you came, has sent me, that you might receive your
sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. And immediately there fell from his eyes as
it had been scales; and he received sight forthwith and arose, and was baptized.
And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain
days with the disciples which were at Damascus”.
Saul was so changed, and when he preached Jesus in the synagogue, the people
questioned the difference in him. Saul became that new creation, as it says in II
Corinthians 5:17 “therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things
are passed away; behold, all things are become new”. Saul who latter was called
the apostle Paul says himself in Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ, never
the less I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me and the life which I now live in the
flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me”.
In verses 20-22 it says “and immediately he preached Christ in the synagogues,
that He is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; is not
this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, that he might
bring them bound to the chief priests? But Saul increased the more in strength,
and confounded the Jews which dwelled at Damascus, proving that this is very
Christ”.
The leaders and chief priest now wanted to kill Saul to shut him up (verses 23-25)
says “and after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him”.
But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and
night to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall
in a basket”.
Saul, then after being let down by the wall went to Jerusalem, trying to associate
with the disciples, but we learn in verses 26-30 that says “and when Saul was
come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples, but they were afraid
of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and
brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord in
the way, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at
Damascus in the name of Jesus. And he was with them coming in and going out at
Jerusalem. And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed
against the Grecians; but they went about to slay him. Which when the brethren
knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus”.
The church continued to grow and had rest, we see this in verse 31 which says
“then had the churches rest through out all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and
were edified; and walking in the fear (reverence) of the Lord, and to the comfort of
the Holy Spirit, were multiplied”.
The apostle Peter goes out through out the region and as he preached Jesus to a
man which was sick in bed for eight years, and he proclaimed to the man that
Jesus Christ had made him whole the man was healed (verses 32-35) says “and it
came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the
saints which dwelled at Lydda. And there he found a certain man named Aeneas,
which had kept his bed eight years, and was of the palsy. And Peter said to him,
Aeneas, Jesus Christ make you whole, arise, and make your bed, and he arose
immediately. And all that dwelled at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the
Lord”.
The apostle Peter goes on to Joppa, and when they heard that Peter was there,
they told him about a devout woman named Tabitha and we see in verses 36-41
the faith of Peter, it says “now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named
Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas; this woman was full of good
works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she
was sick, and died; whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper
chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was near to Joppa, and the disciples had
heard that Peter was there, they sent to him two men, desiring him that he would
not delay to come to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was
come, they brought him into the upper chamber; and all the widows stood by him
weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was
with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and
turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes; and when
she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when
he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive”.
Through this many believed in the Lord Jesus (verses 42-43) says “and it was
known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. And it came to pass,
that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner”.
Study by: Harriet Bond
Date: January 3, 2012
As we continue through the book of Acts, we see that being told by Jesus to wait
for the filling of the Holy Spirit; that after being filled, the disciples were able to do
mighty exploits. Even in the face of death, they boldly proclaimed Jesus, and many
came to the church.
We have learned from the scriptures that after Stephen was stoned, that the
disciples went out to other cities. Actually this is what Jesus said in Mark 16:15
“and He said to them, go you into all the world and preach the gospel to every
creature”.
Philip went to Samaria and preached and many came to the Lord seeing the signs
and wonders which were done through him. Then the apostles heard of this and
sent Peter and John who prayed and laid hands on those who believed and they
received the Holy Spirit. Philip was also sent by the Holy Spirit to teach the eunuch
from Ethiopian and he was baptized then returned to Ethiopia.
Now Saul who was the one holding the clothing for them that stoned Stephen
desired to have permission to go to bring those who followed Jesus back to
Jerusalem so that they could be persecuted and we read in Acts 9:1-2 which says
“and Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of
the Lord, went to the high priest. And desired of him letters to Damascus to the
synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he
might bring them bound to Jerusalem”.
But Jesus met him on his way, verses 3-6 says “and as he journeyed, he came
near Damascus; and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven.
And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why
persecute you Me?
And he said, who are You, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you
persecute; it is hard for you to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and
astonished said, Lord, what will You have me to do? And the Lord said to him,
arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told you what you must do”.
When Saul met Jesus, the light was so bright that he was blinded and we see in
verses 7-8 that he needed help from those who journeyed with him. It says “and
men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no
man. And Saul arose from the earth, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no
man, but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus”.
This experience of meeting Jesus impressed him so, that he fasted and prayed to
God, for three days, verse 9 says “and he was three days without sight, and
neither did eat nor drink”.
At the same time that Saul was praying, the Lord called Ananias and said to him in
verses 10-16 “and there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and
to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias, and he said, behold I am here, Lord. And
the Lord said to him, arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and
enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus, for, he prays. And
has seen in a vision a man named, Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on
him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard
by many of this man, how much evil he has done to Your saints at Jerusalem. And
here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on Your name. But
the Lord said to him, go your way, for he is a chosen vessel to Me, to bear My
name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him
how great things he must suffer for My name’s sake”.
Although Ananias was puzzled he was obedient and did as the Lord had told him,
and in verses 17-19 it says “and Ananias went his way, and entered into the
house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that
appeared to you in the way as you came, has sent me, that you might receive your
sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. And immediately there fell from his eyes as
it had been scales; and he received sight forthwith and arose, and was baptized.
And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain
days with the disciples which were at Damascus”.
Saul was so changed, and when he preached Jesus in the synagogue, the people
questioned the difference in him. Saul became that new creation, as it says in II
Corinthians 5:17 “therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things
are passed away; behold, all things are become new”. Saul who latter was called
the apostle Paul says himself in Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ, never
the less I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me and the life which I now live in the
flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me”.
In verses 20-22 it says “and immediately he preached Christ in the synagogues,
that He is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; is not
this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, that he might
bring them bound to the chief priests? But Saul increased the more in strength,
and confounded the Jews which dwelled at Damascus, proving that this is very
Christ”.
The leaders and chief priest now wanted to kill Saul to shut him up (verses 23-25)
says “and after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him”.
But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and
night to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall
in a basket”.
Saul, then after being let down by the wall went to Jerusalem, trying to associate
with the disciples, but we learn in verses 26-30 that says “and when Saul was
come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples, but they were afraid
of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and
brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord in
the way, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at
Damascus in the name of Jesus. And he was with them coming in and going out at
Jerusalem. And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed
against the Grecians; but they went about to slay him. Which when the brethren
knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus”.
The church continued to grow and had rest, we see this in verse 31 which says
“then had the churches rest through out all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and
were edified; and walking in the fear (reverence) of the Lord, and to the comfort of
the Holy Spirit, were multiplied”.
The apostle Peter goes out through out the region and as he preached Jesus to a
man which was sick in bed for eight years, and he proclaimed to the man that
Jesus Christ had made him whole the man was healed (verses 32-35) says “and it
came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the
saints which dwelled at Lydda. And there he found a certain man named Aeneas,
which had kept his bed eight years, and was of the palsy. And Peter said to him,
Aeneas, Jesus Christ make you whole, arise, and make your bed, and he arose
immediately. And all that dwelled at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the
Lord”.
The apostle Peter goes on to Joppa, and when they heard that Peter was there,
they told him about a devout woman named Tabitha and we see in verses 36-41
the faith of Peter, it says “now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named
Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas; this woman was full of good
works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she
was sick, and died; whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper
chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was near to Joppa, and the disciples had
heard that Peter was there, they sent to him two men, desiring him that he would
not delay to come to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was
come, they brought him into the upper chamber; and all the widows stood by him
weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was
with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and
turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes; and when
she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when
he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive”.
Through this many believed in the Lord Jesus (verses 42-43) says “and it was
known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. And it came to pass,
that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner”.
Study by: Harriet Bond
Date: January 3, 2012
