Acts Bible Study: Day 15
Today’s passage: Acts 9:1–31
Focus verse: “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 9:17)
Think back to when the Jews stoned Stephen to death. Remember who witnessed the whole thing and gave his approval? Saul.
With holy zeal, Saul then goes on a rampage, doing whatever he can to squelch the good news of Jesus and put an end to his church.
Taking a lead role in persecuting followers of Jesus, he does what he can in Jerusalem. However, the people have scattered throughout the area, so Saul takes his vendetta on the road.
Armed with written authority from the high priest, Saul heads to Damascus to disrupt Jesus’s church in that city too. He plans to search for followers of Jesus and drag them as prisoners back to Jerusalem.
God has other plans.
How encouraging is that? Our plans mean nothing when God has other ideas.
As Saul and his entourage travel to Damascus, a bright light flashes. He falls to the ground. A voice asks, “Saul, why are you harassing me?”
“Who are you, sir?”
“I’m Jesus, the one you’re persecuting,” the voice says. “Get up, go into the city, and wait for instructions.”
Saul’s traveling companions don’t know what to make of this.
They hear the voice, but they don’t see a thing. They lead Saul into Damascus because he can’t see. This may be due to the bright light or his encounter with Jesus. Blinded, Saul fasts for three days.
As Saul waits, God is at work. In a vision, he appears to his disciple Ananias. He tells Ananias where Saul is staying and to go heal him. Ananias objects.
He’s heard about Saul and knows of his mission. By getting anywhere near this murderous persecutor, Ananias risks jail, even death. The wise choice is to flee in the opposite direction.
But God repeats his command to go, and Ananias does.
He finds Saul and heals him. Saul’s sight returns, and the Holy Spirit fills him. He’s baptized and ends his three-day fast.
After spending time with the believers in Damascus, Saul begins telling others about Jesus, instead of opposing him. Astonished, the people are confused.
The Jews conspire to kill Saul, but he escapes and returns to Jerusalem, a changed man. However, the church in Jerusalem is understandably wary of his conversion.
Along comes Barnabas. He boldly sides with Saul, placing the entire Jerusalem church at risk. Eventually they realize Saul’s a changed man, that his life mission made a U-turn. They accept him.
The church of Jesus continues to grow stronger and enjoys a time of peace. But this wouldn’t have happened had it not been for the bold, faith-filled actions of Ananias and Barnabas.
Questions:
- Are we willing to take great personal risk to obey God?
- Do we push common sense aside to do what God says?
[Discover more about Barnabas in Galatians 2:1–13 and Colossians 4:10.]
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Read more about the book of Acts in Acts Bible Study: Discover How the Early Church Can Inform What We Do Today, available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover.
Revitalize your faith with Acts Bible Study by Peter DeHaan. This 40-day journey through the early church reveals timeless lessons on community, perseverance, and Holy Spirit power.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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