ACTS 9: THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE HOPELESS

Pastor Jonathan Falwell 

Acts 9 

1. The Conversion of Saul 

Acts 9:1–9 (NKJV) Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” 6So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

• Saul’s mission to destroy the church continued and even grew
• During Saul’s travel to Damascus, Jesus speaks directly to him
• Kent Hughes said, “… Saul now knew he was not merely attacking those belonging to the Way—he was persecuting Christ.”[1]
• Tony Evans said, “Jesus so identifies with his people that to persecute them is to persecute him.”[2]
• The elements of his conversion:
  • Awareness
  • Recognition
  • Submission
  • Repentance

2. The Obedience of Ananias

Acts 9:10-17 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” 13Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” 17And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

• God uses Ananias to help Saul during this confusing season
• The ministry of encouragement was vital in helping bring Saul to the Lord
• Saul’s ministry began with a promise of trouble
• Vernon McGee – “What a change! He is still Saul of Tarsus, but now he is Brother Saul. He is not the enemy. He is a brother. Any person who loves the Lord Jesus Christ is a brother to any other believer.”[3]

3. The Urgency of Saul

Acts 9:18-Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. 19So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. 20Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. 21Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?” 22But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ. 23Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. 24But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. 25Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket.

• Saul didn’t wait to get involved in the work
• He was not ashamed of the Gospel, even though he had spent significant time attempting to stop it 

4. The Partnership of the Believers

Acts 26-31 And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. 27But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. 29And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him. 30When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus. 31Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.

• People shied away from Saul out of fear of his past, yet Barnabas believed in this new brother
• After those in Jerusalem heard of the impact of the Gospel on Saul, they welcomed him into the fold
• Because of this partnership, the region began to be blessed with the power of the ministry
• Augustine said, “The martyrs were bound, imprisoned, scourged, racked, burnt, rent, butchered—and they multiplied.”[4] 

Lessons for us all:

1. No one is too far outside the reach of the Gospel
2. God has called us all to the ministry of reconciliation
3. From the moment of salvation, God has a job for us to do
4. We can get more done together than apart