Acts 9:1-19a The Power of the Risen Jesus to Change Saul to Paul
Good morning, everyone! Happy third Sunday of Easter! Praise God that we can continue studying about the deep meaning of Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection for a few weeks more. If you may remember, last week Rhoel talked about the crucifixion of Jesus (Middle of it All) and its powerful effect on one of the two criminals that was crucified alongside him. Though this criminal who accepted Jesus as Savior was sentenced to death, Jesus welcomed him to the kingdom of God. Jesus’ death not only affected those at that time who saw it, but for believers throughout church history. In today’s passage, we will see the powerful effect seeing the Risen Jesus in one person Saul’s life. This man Saul later changed to the Apostle Paul, who later authored most of the books in the New Testament. He had been an enemy of the gospel, but after meeting the Risen Jesus he became an ambassador of the gospel. Let’s learn from Saul’s conversion how powerful the Risen Jesus affects peoples’ lives.
THE POWER OF THE RISEN JESUS TO CHANGE SAUL TO PAUL
(Third Sunday of Easter)
Acts 9:1-19a
Key Verse: 5:
5 “’Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied.”
Look at verses 1-2. “Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.” Who was this man, Saul? He was a very zealous religious Jew who wanted to stamp out the growing sect called the Way. This is what the group of believers were named before they were called Christians. It was used as a derogatory name by the enemies of the gospel because early believers taught that Jesus was the only way to heaven. It probably referred to what Jesus said in John 14:6a, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” Saul considered any teachings apart from Judaism as heresy, especially when he heard that Jesus was taught as the Son of God to him was blasphemy. This teaching of Jesus as the Messiah was spreading in Jerusalem and many other parts of the nation. Saul, single-handedly wanted to end this movement once and for all. He was also driven by his pride and human desire to be recognized as a zealous man for Judaism. Galatians 1:14 reads, “I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.” He was driven by his human ambition to be recognized by others as a great spiritual man. He took on a personal vendetta against the early believers with passion. Acts 8:3 reads, “But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.” He raided house churches and anyone mentioning that Jesus was the Savior was endangered of imprisonment. Today, we would call him a radical extremist. Because of his fiery zeal and ambitions, he was recognized by the religious establishment, so he could approach the high priest and ask for letters to the synagogues in Damascus. We have to understand what drove this man to the brink. From Philippians, Paul testified to what he was like before conversion. Philippians 3:5-6 reads, “…circumcised on the eight day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.” Perhaps, he saw his actions as God’s directive for him, so he carried it even with more passion. He probably thought he was the chosen one to defend the Jewish beliefs, which he believed needed to be kept pure. Why did he decided to go to Damascus? Damascus was a strategic city of attack because believers were scattered from Jerusalem due to persecution and fleeing to other cities. They were also carrying with them the news of the gospel wherever they went. Saul knew that there was a large diaspora of Jews in Damascus and he wanted to stop the spread of the gospel there. He wanted to nip the bud of this growing sect before it spread elsewhere. He was recognized by his fellow Jews, as the leader to spear head the total destruction of the growing church of Jesus of Nazareth. They believed that if anyone could stop this growing movement Saul could do it. Maybe their chant was, “The sect the Way is on its way out! Saul can do it all! Saul for president!” He became like a spiritual terminator of Jesus’ followers that would never give up. The high priest was more than happy to support him and give him everything that he needed to carry out his treacherous mission. However, God had other plans for Saul on his journey to Damascus.
Look at verses 3-4. “3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “’Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’” As Saul was approaching Damascus, he must have been reviewing his plans on how he was going to capture the believers and bring them back to Jerusalem to be put on trial. But something unexpected happened—a light from heaven flashed around him. It was no ordinary light for it was so intense that later we learn that Paul was blinded by its brightness. It’s ironic that previously Saul was blinded by his murderous desires and human ambitions, but now he was blinded by the truth. This light was not natural light for it came down from heaven. It was a glimpse of the Risen Jesus’ glorious and illuminating glory that was emanating down from heaven. The Apostle John had a vision of Jesus’ appearance in heaven, which he recorded in the book of Revelation. He wrote in Revelation 1:16b, “His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.” This was the brilliant light that surrounded Saul and caused him to fall to the ground. While on the ground he heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” It was the amazing grace of God that the Risen Jesus did not kill this enemy of the gospel, but revealed his glorious presence to him. The Risen Jesus also told him the truth that he was persecuting him when he persecuted the church. As we know, the church is the body of Christ. So, when Saul was hurting the church, he was persecuting Jesus. This was God’s one-sided grace upon this wicked sinner. This was the life-changing meeting with the Risen Jesus.
Look at verses 5-6. “5 ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. 6 ‘Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’” Saul was mesmerized by this meeting with the Risen Jesus, but he had not yet recognized who it was talking to him. So, he asked “Who are you, Lord?” He wanted to know who this incredible being was that intervened in his life. But he knew that whoever it was, he had to bow down to him and worship him. Saul, in his pride, felt like no one could defeat him or stand in his way. But with one flash of light, he was knocked out and totally defeated. He was eager to know who this being was that made him tap out. He was shocked to hear the reply, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” The Risen Jesus repeated the words in verses 4 and 5, “whom you are persecuting.” Here we learn that our Savior and Lord, Jesus, takes it personally when God’s people are persecuted. From time to time, we hear on the news of radical extremists who put Christians to jail or even put them to death. Sometimes we may wonder why God doesn’t stop these people, but we must know that God empathizes with us. God is also merciful to all sinners to give them a chance to repent and be forgiven; otherwise, they will face the judgment of God someday for all the evil that they have committed. On the other hand, those martyred for Jesus get the early bird benefit to heaven. Saul had thought that the leader of the Way, Jesus, was dead. But here was the Risen Jesus very much alive and speaking with him. At the Risen Jesus’ words, Saul was struck in his conscious that all that he was doing was wrong and that he had been destroying the work of God, not building it up.
From Paul’s testimony in other chapters we learn that Jesus had said other words to him. Acts 26:14 reads, “We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic ‘Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” Here we see the mercy of our Lord Jesus to tell Saul to stop persecuting the church for he was only harming himself. Goads were long sticks with sharp ends. [Pic 1] Farmers used these sticks to keep their oxen or beasts of burden going in the right direction. For example, while the ox was pulling the plow and suddenly starts to kick, the farmer used the goads to motivate him to keep going in the direction, he wanted him to go instead of kicking back. Actually, God had a great purpose for Saul and wanted to use him mightily for the world salvation work. But Saul was too blinded by his hatred and murderous thoughts towards believers. He was kicking against the goads because instead of doing God’s will upon his life he was doing exactly the opposite. He had thought he had been zealously defending God’s honor by persecuting believers and stopping their heretical teachings. But he was only hurting God’s precious children and not honoring God. Saul, in a way, reminded me of the reluctant prophet Jonah. God wanted to send him to city of Nineveh to give the message of salvation to the people. But Jonah wanted God to destroy them because they were wicked in his eyes. To avoid God’s calling Jonah got on a ship and headed in the other direction. In order to change his life direction, God used a great fish to swallow Jonah and spit him out on the shore to the city of Nineveh. [Pic 2] Jonah reluctantly went to the city, preached the good news, and the people repented. The Risen Jesus intervened in Saul’s life to open his spiritual eyes and change the course of his life. This is why he told Saul to get up, go to the city where he would get further instructions from God’s servants, which we will learn more about in this passage.
Look at verses 7-9. “7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.” The men traveling with Saul were utterly dumbfounded by what they heard and what happened to Saul. They just stood there speechless because they had no explanation to what just happened. Saul got up from the ground but he couldn’t see anything. Someone had to hold his hand to lead him into the city. Before Saul was coming into the city like a warrior to destroy his enemies. But now he had to humble himself like a child and be directed where to go. Also, for three days he could not eat or drink anything. It was because all his belief system was just shattered before him. He needed time of deep contemplation and renewal of his way of thinking. He had been a hardcore Pharisee and Hebrew of Hebrews. But in a moment, everything that he believed in fell apart like a house of cards. He had to start all over again and pick up the pieces one by one. He was trying to figure out how he had been so wrong for such a long time. He must have repeated the words that he heard, “I am Jesus,” over and over again in his mind and its spiritual significance. He must have prayed to Jesus to give him wisdom and to open his spiritual eyes to understand who he was more. Jesus heard his crying out and prepared his servant to meet him.
Look at verses 10-12. “10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, ‘Ananias!’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he answered.11 The Lord told him, ‘Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.’” In the past, Saul thought he had great plans for his future in the religious hierarchy in Judaism. Maybe the high priest would put him in a high official position seeing how active and zealous he was. Someday he could even be the high priest with a lot of authority and power. He didn’t know, however, that God had other plans for his life—greater and more wonderful plans that he could ever imagine. Our Lord was like a grand master chess player making all the right moves. He was giving directions and commands to his faithful servants like Ananias and Judas. One of Jesus’ disciples, Judas, not Judas Iscariot, had a house on Straight Street. Paul was guided to his house and Judas welcomed him. He probably gave Saul his own room to stay in. When he offered food, Saul refused to eat or drink. When God’s people are ready, he will use them to help those in need. Not going in too much in details, my family recently had a struggle to go through. By God’s sovereignty and leading we were guided to the home of Rhoel Lomahan on Miller Street. [Pic 3] There we would be told what to do by his servant Elena. By God’s leading and guidance our family could get the necessary help needed at that moment. So, the house church of Judas was being used preciously by God to help one helpless man. Maybe there might have been other believers in Damascus who would have said, “No, not my house!” But as God’s servants we must be ready and willing to use whatever means we have for the work of God and helping God’s people. It also reminded me of last week’s message when Corrie Ten Boom’s family was willing to use their home in Germany to hide Jews from the Nazis even though it was very dangerous. Saul only wanted to fast and pray, and ask why God had mercy on him and for what God called him to do. Once, Daniel in the Old Testament, was given a powerful vision from God, but he could not understand the interpretation. So, he fasted and prayed for three weeks until it was revealed to him. During those three days of prayer and self-reflection, Saul was asking the Lord Jesus for guidance. Because in verse 11, the Risen Jesus had said to Ananias that Saul was praying and saw a vision of a man named Ananias. However, when Ananias was told who he was going to meet he was hesitant because Saul was well-known by the early believers as a great persecutor.
Look at verse 13-14. “13 ‘Lord,’ Ananias answered, ‘I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.’” We learn several things through this exchange between the Risen Jesus and his servant Ananias. First of all, there was already a contingent of believers in Damascus and that is why Saul was going there to find them. Second, Saul’s destructive reputation had already preceded him and many believers had heard about him. Probably they communicated with each other, “If you hear the man Saul is coming your way, run and hide!” Even after Saul’s conversion and time in Damascus he went back to Jerusalem to meet with the disciples there. But they were also afraid of him and were still reluctant to meet with him. So, we cannot really blame Ananias humanly for not wanting to meet with the irreputable Saul. Probably, he thought he was number 1 on Paul’s most wanted hit list, with his picture on it. Maybe he thought this was a trap set up by that clever scheming Saul. He was not yet ready to be a martyr like Stephen. But the Risen Jesus wanted to use this moment to teach his servant faith in the life-changing power of his resurrection.
Look at verses 15-16. “15 But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.’” The Risen Jesus, by his sovereignty and power intervened in Saul’s life. As mentioned, he had great plans to use Saul for the world salvation plan of God. It was not time for Ananias to be timid or hesitant, so with a commanding voice the Risen Jesus said to Ananias, “Go!” In modern vernacular, “Go! Get out of here! What are you waiting for!” There may be times when God calls us to do difficult and sometimes incomprehensible things, but when it is God’s clear directive to us personally based on the word of God, we cannot hesitate, but obey by faith. Ananias had to risk everything in order to welcome God’s chosen instrument. God wanted to use Saul as a great messenger and preacher of the gospel to not only the Jewish people, but to the Gentiles and their kings. This was the unique calling of Saul because of his special upbringing. He had many human qualifications that made him indispensable in the work of God at that time. For example, by birth he was a Jew, he was an expert in the law because he was a Pharisee, he was a Roman citizen, and by education, a Greek. He was able and versatile. Even Saul, who later became Paul, said, in 1 Corinthians 9:20-22, “To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” It is also ironic because Saul was coming with letters from the high priest with the authority to put to arrest believers. After conversion, God used Paul to write 13 out of 27 letters of the New Testament with spiritual authority to build up the church. Though Saul had the great honor to be God’s ambassador of the gospel to the world, in verse 16, we learn that he will suffer a lot in doing so. He was not just to be a showboat, being welcomed and receiving honor wherever he went. In the world, ambassadors are usually welcomed with flowers and gifts. But Saul would be a different kind of ambassador. He didn’t even have his own special horse to ride on. Saul was also malleable. What do I mean? Because he was going to suffer much for the name of Jesus in many different ways. On his missionary journeys, Paul was jailed, beaten, and even shipwrecked. He was being sent out by the Risen Jesus to engage in spiritual warfare and mission to bring the good news of salvation to those trapped in darkness and under the power of the devil. After hearing from the Risen Jesus what great plans God had for Saul and how much pain and suffering it required, perhaps Ananias was comforted that he was not the one being sent out. His view and attitude towards the formerly murderous Saul were changed completely. Now he was ready to welcome a new brother into the body of Christ.
Look at verses 17-19a. “17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, ‘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.’ 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.” Here, we see how Ananias’ faith was strengthened after listening and obeying the Risen Jesus’ words. Whether he was entering into a trap it didn’t matter anymore because he was ready to give his life for Jesus. After finding the place where Saul was praying, he laid his hands on him, not to choke him but to bless him. He not only called him “Brother Saul,” but he was also convinced of his conversion after he had met the Risen Jesus on the road to Damascus. He explained to Saul that Jesus had sent him to restore his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Immediately, after Ananias said these words the spiritual cataract that was on Saul’s eyes fell off and he could see again. What did Saul do first after his eyes were restored? Verse 18 says that he got up and was baptized. Why did he want to be baptized? Because he wanted to associate with the persecuted people of God, who he once hated and wanted to murder. His conversion was complete, he was born again, and became a precious holy child of God. Also, do you know what happens when you are freed from sin and become a believer? Your appetite is restored. Saul realized that he was hungry and he ate some matzo ball soup and challah and regained his strength. He not only became physically, but more importantly spiritually strong as well.
In this passage, we thought about the powerful effect of the Risen Jesus that changed a murderous man Saul to a man of God Paul. We have to know that Saul was a unique person so he had a unique conversion. We don’t all need a dramatic conversion experience—like getting hit by a lightning bolt. The Bible says even though we don’t see Jesus but believe in him we are blessed. John 20:29, “Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” This is one of the main points we have to reflect on during this Easter Season. I thank God for the Risen Jesus that influenced my life in 1983 through the revelation of his word. Last week, I told Rhoel I liked the study of Luke 23 because it was that chapter that changed my life in 1983, when I heard Jesus’ words on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” I really was an angry man inwardly and wanted to hurt others, so I played American football to smash others. God had to humble me so my bones were smashed until I could not play football anymore. But after meeting the Risen Jesus my attitude towards others amazingly changed. Instead of hurting others I wanted to love them, pray for them, and teach them the Bible. This is one example of the power of the Risen Jesus. Masab Yousef, son of a West Bank Hamas leader, converted from Islam to Christianity. [Pic 4] He has moved to America because in Muslim countries it’s against the law to convert to Christianity. And when your father is a Hamas leader your life is more in danger. He became a Christian when he was invited by other Christians to hear a talk about Christianity. He was also moved by Jesus’ words, “Love your enemy.” He now goes around on talks and interviews talking about Jesus and dangers of extreme Islamists. Let’s praise and thank God for the power of the Risen Jesus to change the lives of men and women in our generation as well. May God help us to worship even more our Lord and Savior Jesus at this Easter Season. Amen.
Bible Study Questions:
1.Read Ac. 9:1-2. What else had Saul been doing besides “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 8:3)? Why did Saul want to go after the Christians in “Damascus” (Acts 9:2)? Why sort of “letters” (Acts 9:2) do you think Saul sought from the high priest?
2. Read Ac. 9:3-4. Had Saul been riding a horse or walking on the road to Damascus? Who said to Saul, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 9:4)? What human qualifications did Saul have to make him think he was doing a righteous deed? (Ph. 3:5-6; Gal. 1:13-14) Does zealously and sincerely believing in something make it true? Since Jesus already had ascended to heaven, did He come back for a visit before His second coming?
3. Read Ac. 9:5-6. Is it accurate to say that Saul persecuted Jesus? What did Jesus mean by, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads” (Acts 26:14-15)? What did Jesus tell Saul to do? Who did Jesus prepare in the city to meet Saul? Why was he afraid to meet Saul? (Ac. 9:13-14)
4. Read Ac. 9:7-9. Why didn’t “the men who journeyed with” (Acts 9:7) Saul fall to the ground as well? Did Saul’s travel companions hear Jesus as well (see Acts 22:9)? What didn’t Saul do during his first three days in Damascus? Wasn’t he hungry and thirsty? What do you learn personally from Saul’s conversion to Paul?
5. Who was Ananias and what mission did the Lord give him (10-12)? Why did Ananias hesitate (13-14)? What surprising words did the Lord give Ananias (15-16)?
6. How did Ananias minister to Saul (17-19a)? How did this confirm Saul’s experience on the road to Damascus? How does this event reveal the one-sided grace of Jesus (1 Co 15:10)?
Saul’s Conversion
9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “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.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
