Studies in the Book of Acts Acts 9: 1 -16 Dr . Ronald C. Hill, Sr. Dec. 21-24, 2011

1. Studies in the Book of Acts Acts 9:1-16 Dr. Ronald C. Hill, Sr. Dec. 21-24, 2011

2. A. In Chapter 9 we find a distinct turning point in the book of Acts. Up to this time Peter has held a position of prominence as he preached to the nation of Israel. From now on the Apostle Paul will

3. A. gradually become the foremost figure, and the gospel will increasingly go out to the Gentiles.

4. Acts 9:1 1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

5. Acts 9:2 2 And 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.

6. B. Paul watched the growth of the Christian faith, known as “the way”; he saw it as a threat to his own religion. This threat caused Paul to go all out to destroy what he considered to be a false doctrine.

7. B • 1Religious hatred is one of the strongest sources of hate in the world, and it had led and will continue to lead people to destroy other people.

8. Acts 9:3-6 3And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

9. Acts 9:3-6 4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

10. Acts 9:3-6 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.

11. Acts 9:3-6 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.

12. C. Saul was convinced that Jesus of Nazareth was dead and buried in a Judean grave. Since the leader of the sect had been destroyed, all that was now necessary was to destroy his followers.

13. D.As Saul was on his way to arrest the people of God one of the most phenomenal events recorded anywhere on the pages of history occurred. Although it was mid-day a light shined out of heaven that completely engulfed the light

14. D.of the sun. Now with crushing force, Saul learns that Jesus is not dead at all, but that He has been raised from the dead and has been glorified at the right hand of God in heaven.

15. E.Saul also learned that day when he had been persecuting the disciples of Jesus; he had been persecuting the Lord Himself.

16. 1.The head of the Body in heaven feels pain that was and still inflicted on the members of the Body of Christ on earth.

17. 2.Every sin that is committed will affect others and it will also affect God.

18. 3.Young Joseph understood this when he rejected the advancement of Potiphar’s wife.

19. Gen 39:9 9There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

20. F.The Prodigal Son recognized this, for when he came to himself, he determined to return to this father and say, “I have sinned against heaven and before thee.”

21. St. Luke 15:18   18As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

22. G.It is most important that we also recognize that the way we live will have an impact on our families and the people we are associated with.

23. Jonah 1:1-5 1Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,

24. Jonah 1:1-5 2Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.

25. Jonah 1:1-5 3But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into

26. Jonah 1:1-5 3it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

27. Jonah 1:1-5 4But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.

28. Jonah 1:1-5 5Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the

29. Jonah 1:1-5 5 ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.

30. H.The disobedience of Jonah caused the lives of other men to be put in danger.

31. 1.In the book of Joshua Achan’s sins caused the death of his entire family.

32. 2.One of the greatest ways we can show love for God and for others is to live a holy life before God.

33. Acts 9:7 7And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

34. Acts 22:9   9For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

35. I.The companions of Saul saw the light and they heard a voice but they saw no man. They heard the sound of a voice but they did not hear the distinction of the words spoken.

36. 1This proves that a person can have an experience with the super natural God and still not follow His word. Saul saw the light and heard and understood the instruction given by God and he obeyed the word. The

37. 1 men with him did not receive the instruction of the word spoken by God.

38. The questions tonight are: What have we seen?

39. What have we heard and did we understand what we heard?

40. Acts 9:8 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.

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

42. J.The proud Pharisee was now led by the hand into Damascus where he remained three days without sight. During that time he neither ate nor drank. He saw no man, but he had seen the Lord while in the trance.

43. Acts 9:10 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. 

44. K.Ananias saw the Lord and actually heard His voice in a Vision. Visions are more than ideas in the mind, but real pictures to the eyes.

45. Acts 9:11 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,

46. L.The Lord now gives instruction to Ananias. He tells him where to go, “straight street”. He tells him what house to go to and whom he was to ask for.

47. 1.He also tells Ananias that Saul is now praying, instead of persecuting.

48. Acts 9:12 • 12 He also tells Ananias that Saul is now praying, instead of persecuting.

49. M.The Lord tells Ananias Saul had already seen the Vision of him coming in and putting his hands on him in order for him to receive his sight. In other words, God had revealed to Saul what Ananias was going to do

50. M.before He told Ananias what he would do. God knew Ananias would obey Him. I wonder does God know we will obey Him. I certainly hope so.