Acts 9: The Damascus Road: Saul Converted

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Parent Category: Division 5. The Gospels of Jesus & Acts of Apostles
Category: Acts

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Overview of Acts Chapter 9

Acts chapter 9 is a major pivotal chapter in the Book of Acts, focusing on the conversion of Saul, who is later called the apostle Paul.

This chapter outlines Saul's encounter with the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus, his subsequent blindness, and the role of Ananias in Saul's healing and commissioning for ministry.

The transformation of Saul, from a persecutor of the Church, to a devoted follower of Christ, shapes the trajectory of the Gospel going to the rest of the world.

Verses 1-9: Saul's Encounter on the Road to Damascus

Saul, a fervent persecutor of the disciples, experiences a dramatic encounter with the risen Jesus, on the road to Damascus.

Struck by a blinding light, he hears the voice of Jesus, questioning his persecution of the followers of the Way, which is another term for the disciples.

Saul is left blinded, and led into Damascus by his companions.

Verses 10-19: Ananias' Commission and Saul's Healing

Ananias, a disciple in Damascus, receives a vision from the Lord instructing him to go to Saul.

Initially hesitant due to Saul's reputation, Ananias obeys and heals Saul of his blindness.

Saul receives the Holy Spirit and is baptized, marking the beginning of his transformation.

Verses 20-31: Saul's Preaching, and the Growth of the Church

Saul immediately begins preaching about Jesus in Damascus, surprising those who knew him as a persecutor of the disciples.

The chapter describes Saul's escape from Damascus, his visit to Jerusalem, and the initial skepticism of the apostles.

Saul, with the support of Barnabas, becomes a prominent figure in the Church in Antioch, and the Church experiences a time of peace and growth.

Verses 32-43: Miracles and Peter's Ministry

The narrative shifts to Peter's ministry, recounting his healing of Aeneas and the raising of Dorcas from the dead.

These miracles lead to an increased recognition of the power of Christ and the conversion of many in Joppa.

Summary

Acts chapter 9 captures the radical transformation of Saul, to Paul.

Paul became one of the most prominent apostles in the Church.

The chapter illustrates the power of divine intervention, the importance of obedience to God's call, and the reconciling work of the Holy Spirit.

Saul's conversion marks a turning point in the expansion of the Church, as he becomes the apostle to the Gentiles, and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to the rest of the world.

The chapter also emphasizes the continuation of miraculous events, and the growth of the Church.

The Conversion of Saul

9 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. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 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. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 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.

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.” 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.” 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.” 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.

Saul Proclaims Jesus in Synagogues

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.

Saul Escapes from Damascus

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.

Saul in Jerusalem

26 And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. 30 And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.

The Healing of Aeneas

32 Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. 35 And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

Dorcas Restored to Life

36 Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. 37 In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.” 39 So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all outside, and 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. 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.

Q&A

Acts 9:1-2
Q1: Who was Saul, and what was he doing in Acts 9:1-2?
A1: Saul was a persecutor of the early Christians. He was breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, seeking authorization to bring them bound to Jerusalem.

Acts 9:3-6
Q2: What happened to Saul on the road to Damascus, as mentioned in Acts 9:3-6?
A2: As Saul journeyed to Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly shone around him. Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" Saul asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The voice replied, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do."

Acts 9:7-9
Q3: How did the men traveling with Saul react to the experience on the road to Damascus, as mentioned in Acts 9:7-9?
A3: The men traveling with Saul stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. They led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.

Acts 9:10-12
Q4: Whom did the Lord send to meet Saul in Damascus, and what was Ananias told to do, as mentioned in Acts 9:10-12?
A4: The Lord sent Ananias to meet Saul. Ananias was told to go to Saul, lay hands on him, and restore his sight.

Acts 9:13-14
Q5: How did Ananias respond to the Lord's instructions regarding Saul, as mentioned in Acts 9:13-14?
A5: Ananias expressed concern, mentioning Saul's reputation for persecuting the saints in Jerusalem.

Acts 9:15-16
Q6: What did the Lord reveal to Ananias about Saul's future role, as mentioned in Acts 9:15-16?
A6: The Lord told Ananias that Saul was a chosen instrument to carry His name before the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. He would suffer for the sake of the Lord's name.

Acts 9:17
Q7: What did Ananias do when he went to Saul in Damascus, as mentioned in Acts 9:17?
A7: Ananias went to Saul, laid his hands on him, and 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."

Acts 9:18
Q8: What happened to Saul immediately after Ananias laid hands on him, as mentioned in Acts 9:18?
A8: Something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he regained his sight. He rose and was baptized.

Acts 9:19-22
Q9: How did Saul spend some days in Damascus after his conversion, as mentioned in Acts 9:19-22?
A9: Saul immediately proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying He is the Son of God. All who heard were amazed and said, "Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem?"

Acts 9:23
Q10: What happened in Damascus when many days had passed, as mentioned in Acts 9:23?
A10: The Jews plotted to kill Saul, but their plot became known to him.

Acts 9:24-25
Q11: How was Saul rescued from the plot to kill him in Damascus, as mentioned in Acts 9:24-25?
A11: The disciples took Saul by night, lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall, allowing him to escape.

Acts 9:26-27
Q12: When Saul came to Jerusalem, how did the disciples react, as mentioned in Acts 9:26-27?
A12: The disciples in Jerusalem were afraid of Saul and did not believe he was a disciple. Barnabas took him to the apostles and explained how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and preached boldly in the name of Jesus.

Acts 9:28-29
Q13: How did Saul move freely in Jerusalem, as mentioned in Acts 9:28-29?
A13: Saul went in and out among them in Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord.

Acts 9:30
Q14: What happened when the brothers learned of a plot to kill Saul in Jerusalem, as mentioned in Acts 9:30?
A14: The brothers brought Saul down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

Acts 9:31
Q15: How did the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experience peace and growth, as mentioned in Acts 9:31?
A15: The church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was being built up. It multiplied, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 9:32-33
Q16: What healing miracle did Peter perform in Acts 9:32-33?
A16: Peter went to the saints in Lydda, and he healed a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed.

Acts 9:36-37
Q17: Who died in Joppa, and what did the disciples do in Acts 9:36-37?
A17: A disciple named Tabitha (Dorcas) died in Joppa. The disciples, hearing that Peter was nearby, sent two men urging him to come without delay.

Acts 9:40
Q18: How did Peter respond to the disciples' request to come to Joppa, as mentioned in Acts 9:40?
A18: Peter rose and went with them. When he arrived, they took him to the upper room where Tabitha's body was laid out.

Acts 9:41
Q19: What did Peter do before he raised Tabitha from the dead, as mentioned in Acts 9:41?
A19: Peter knelt down and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, arise." She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

Acts 9:42
Q20: How did many in Joppa come to believe in the Lord, as mentioned in Acts 9:42?
A20: Many in Joppa believed in the Lord because of this miracle, and Peter stayed in Joppa for some time.