Yesterday we read Act 9:1-25 and we were introduced to Saul. Taking time to build a biography gives a deeper meaning to his writings and his ministry. We know based on previous verses that Saul was a persecutor of The Way and was in hearty agreement to the murder of Stephen and was even an accessory. His participation in the death of Stephen in no way interfered with his legalistic beliefs. (insert sarcasm) Further into his letters, specifically Phil 3:4-6, he gives us his resume. He says he was circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless. He was educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law and zealous for God. However, just as Moses was a Hebrew boy raised in Egypt, Saul was born in Tarsus, modern day Turkey, and was a Roman citizen. It is not known exactly how he became a citizen, but we know he did not buy it, he was born a citizen, Acts 22:28. Some have suggested that his father may have been in military service to Rome and granted citizenship.
After the stoning of Stephen, Acts 8:1-3 explains how persecution of the church began and Saul was ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison. This lead to the scattering of the church throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, fulfilling Jesus' command of Acts 1:7-8, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
In the first few verses of Acts 9, Saul continues his persecution by going to the High Priest in Jerusalem to get written permission to go to Damascus, Syria and arrest those that were of The Way, followers of Jesus, in order to bring them to Jerusalem to face the religious leaders. His heart and his religion were filled with so much hatred and jealousy that arresting believers and murdering them was a reasonable solution to the spreading of the Gospel. Saul was given letters to take to the synagogues and traveling north, he had an encounter with Jesus that changed everything.
The Bible says that suddenly a light from heaven flashed around Sau; and he fell to the ground. He heard a voice and when asked “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”, Saul responds with the question, "Who are you Lord?" Saul's response tells us that he knew that the bright light came from the master and Lord, one with supremacy and authority. It confirmed that Saul was aware of the position that the Lord holds. But, there was no identity or personal relationship with the Lord. Not until He tells Saul, "I am Jesus" does it connect the person to the position. Just as Moses asked and was given the name YHWH, so Saul now knew that the Lord is Jesus. To be Lord, Jesus must hold all power and authority and rule over all and in all.
Continuing in Acts 9, Saul is now blind and lead to a house on Straight Street in Damascus. He is there praying and fasting and the Holy Spirit is a work because Saul sees a vision from the LORD and is told of a man named Ananias that is coming to lay hands on him so that he will regain his sight.
This disciple named Ananias also sees a vision from the Holy Spirit and is given instructions not only how to minister, but where Saul is and the purpose of the visit. This work the Holy Spirit does in the healing of Saul is to build faith over fear, it's to heal both physical and spiritual, it is to strengthen for both ministry and suffering. The laying on of hands brings restoration to not only Saul's physical eyes, but his spiritual eyes as well, and he will never be the same. We can trust that the Spirit is always working, He's always leading us, comforting us and healing us. Saul becomes a new creation and he immediately is healed and begins to share the Gospel and proclaim that Jesus is the Christ. According to Phil 3:7 he now counted all things that he considered gain, his lengthy resume and his righteous zeal, as loss for the sake of Christ
All those that heard the testimony of Saul continued to be amazed and his teaching increased with strength. However, not without notice. Now the hunter is the hunted and the Jews plotted how they will do away with Saul. But, we know and can trust the prophecy of Acts 9:15-16, that the Lord said to Ananias, “Go, for Saul is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
What the Lord Jesus the Christ has promised that He will do.
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