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Summary

Acts 9:1–9 – Saul’s Conversion on the Road to Damascus

What happens:
Saul, breathing threats against the disciples, obtains letters to arrest believers in Damascus. As he nears the city, a light from heaven flashes around him and he falls to the ground. He hears Jesus ask, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Saul asks who speaks and is told to go into the city, where he will be told what to do. He rises, but blinded, is led by the hand into Damascus and remains without sight for three days, neither eating nor drinking.

What it means:
God confronts Saul’s hostility to transform him into an instrument for the gospel. True encounters with Christ can overturn convictions, replacing zeal for opposition with a call to obedience and dependence.


Acts 9:10–19 – Ananias and Saul’s Healing

What happens:
The Lord appears in a vision to Ananias, instructing him to find Saul and restore his sight. Though fearful of Saul’s reputation, Ananias obeys, lays hands on Saul, and says Jesus has sent him so Saul may regain sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Something like scales fall from Saul’s eyes, he regains sight, is baptized, and receives food.

What it means:
God calls ordinary believers to participate in extraordinary grace. Ananias’ obedience bridges Saul’s past persecution and future mission, demonstrating that the Spirit unites unlikely partners in the work of restoration.


Acts 9:20–22 – Saul Proclaims Jesus in Damascus

What happens:
Immediately Saul begins to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, declaring him to be the Son of God. All who hear are amazed, and Saul’s boldness grows as he confounds the Jews by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.

What it means:
Encounter with Christ compels fearless witness. Saul’s transformation from persecutor to preacher shows that the gospel’s power overcomes human opposition and uses former enemies to advance the kingdom.


Acts 9:23–25 – Escape from Damascus

What happens:
When many Jews plot to kill Saul, he learns of their plan and the disciples help him escape by night, lowering him in a basket through an opening in the city wall.

What it means:
The church protects God’s chosen instruments, valuing life and mission over hostility. Divine providence and communal solidarity safeguard the gospel’s messengers.


Acts 9:26–31 – Saul in Jerusalem and Early Ministry

What happens:
Saul visits Jerusalem, but the disciples fear and reject him, not believing his conversion. Barnabas brings him to the apostles, recounts Saul’s Damascus experience, and vouches for his bold preaching. Saul moves freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in Jesus’ name, arguing with Hellenistic Jews until they plot his death. The brothers send him to Tarsus, and the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experiences a time of peace, grows in numbers, and lives in the fear of the Lord.

What it means:
Reconciliation within the body of Christ restores unity and empowers ministry. Peaceful growth under God’s blessing follows seasons of disruption and adjustment, confirming that the gospel transforms communities and spreads under the Spirit’s guidance.


Application

  • Invite Jesus to confront and transform any hostility in your heart, turning opposition into passionate witness
  • Obey God’s call to encourage and support those whom others fear, participating in their restoration
  • Proclaim Christ boldly in your context, trusting that his power can change even the staunchest critics
  • Protect and nurture emerging leaders, ensuring the community rallies around God’s chosen servants
  • Celebrate seasons of peace and growth as evidence of the Spirit’s work, and live in the awe of the Lord’s presence

Bible

1And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

2And 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 unto Jerusalem.

3And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

4And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

5And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

6And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

7And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

8And 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.

9And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

10And 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.

11And the Lord said unto 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, behold, he prayeth,

12And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

13Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

14And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

15But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

16For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

17And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

18And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

19And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

20And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

21But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

22But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

23And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

24But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

25Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

26And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.

27But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto 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.

28And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

29And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

30Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

31Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

32And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.

33And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.

34And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.

35And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

36Now 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.

37And 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.

38And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.

39Then 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 shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

40But 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.

41And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.

42And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

43And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

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