Opening Monologue
We are inching closer and closer each day to Fall in Michigan. You wouldn’t know it right now with the outstanding weather we are experiencing. Thank you, Jesus!!
This Sunday we are concluding our summer sermon series: “Supernaturally Transformed.” It’s always so refreshing journeying with Jesus in the Gospels… it never gets old! For those that are new, welcome… and know that in the APP or YouTube you can listen to any of the prior sermons in this series. (All the APP Notes, Commentary, & Devotional questions are in AVC APP) If you use the APP and find it helpful… please tell others about it.
This Sunday in our concluding sermon we are going to talk about the gang activity of the religious leaders… yes, you read that right! The Religious Leaders may have broken more laws than every day Jewish Families. They were guilty of bribery, racketeering, violence and alike. They tried to stop Jesus by crucifixion; but after he rose from the dead they planned yet more gang violence.
As Christianity began to spread through the whole Roman Empire the Jewish authorities had to do something to stop it. What did they do? They chose a well-trained Pharisee named Saul to carry out their plot and plan. Saul stood at the feet of the first Christian martyr named Stephen. He then went to get the proper authoritative paperwork to go crush Christians & Christianity. However, Paul experienced a Supernatural Transformation that radically changed his life forever. His transformation was so profound… you really must hear and read about it to grasp how loving and compassionate Jesus Christ really is- Wow!
From the religious gang life to proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ; Saul … who we now know as Apostle Paul; proves Jesus can change anyone’s heart… anytime, anywhere. So… don’t ever give up on someone or situation that needs the supernatural transformation that Jesus offers. Pray BIG!!
Be sure to listen to this week’s sermon and engage in this APP to experience the fullness of the Good News.
Blessings in Christ!
Rev. Brad Standfest
To Listen to this week’s Sermon: “Week 14 - Supernaturally Transformed” Go to the Sermon tab here in our APP or use the links to our website or YouTube Channel where you can also listen to our Sermons:
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Key Sermon Text
Acts 7:54-59
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%207%3A54-59&version=NIV
Acts 9:1-22
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%209%3A1-22&version=NIV
Background of the Religious Leaders of Jesus Day
In the time of Jesus, the religious leaders were known by several titles, reflecting their roles and groups within Jewish society. Some of the main groups and titles include:
1.Pharisees: A sect known for strict adherence to the Law and the oral traditions. They were influential in the synagogues and among the common people.
2. Sadducees: A sect that consisted mainly of the priesthood and aristocracy. They accepted only the written Law of Moses and denied certain beliefs like resurrection, which the Pharisees accepted.
3. Scribes: Learned men who were experts in the Law of Moses. They were responsible for copying the Scriptures and teaching the Law. Scribes could be affiliated with both the Pharisees and Sadducees.
4. High Priest and Priests: The High Priest was the chief religious leader in Judaism, presiding over the Temple’s functions in Jerusalem. The priests were descendants of Aaron, Moses’ brother, and served in the Temple.
5. Sanhedrin: This was the ruling council of the Jews, composed of elders, chief priests, scribes, and other leaders. It had authority over many aspects of Jewish life and was involved in the trial of Jesus.
These groups and individuals often interacted with Jesus, sometimes questioning Him or challenging His teachings. Jesus, in turn, critiqued their actions and interpretations of the Law, emphasizing the spirit rather than the letter of the Law, and calling people to a deeper understanding of righteousness.
How did the religious leaders earn their money? (Does some of this in any way look like our political system in modern day America?)
The Jewish Religious Leaders had various means of earning their livelihood; often tied to their roles within the religious and social structures of Jewish society. Here’s a brief overview based on what can be inferred from historical and biblical accounts:
1. Priests and Levites: The Levitical priests, including the High Priest, participated in the temple rituals and sacrifices. They received a portion of the offerings brought by the people, including meat from the sacrifices, grain, oil, and wine (Numbers 18:8-20). Additionally, tithes were given to support the Levites, who in turn gave a tithe of the tithe to the priests (Numbers 18:26-28).
2. Scribes and Teachers of the Law: These individuals were experts in the Law of Moses and often served as teachers and legal advisors. Their income could come from various sources, including gifts from those who sought their advice or teaching services. In some cases, they might be supported by the community or by wealthy patrons who valued their learning and guidance.
3. Pharisees and Sadducees: These groups included members from various social strata, including the wealthy and influential. Pharisees were known for their rigorous adherence to the Law and might have had occupations in trade or other professions beyond their religious duties. Sadducees, often coming from priestly and aristocratic families, could possess land, engage in commerce, and hold positions of power that provided income.
4. Temple Revenue: The Temple in Jerusalem was central to Jewish religious life, and contributions to its upkeep and service included offerings, tithes, and specific dues like the half-shekel Temple tax (Exodus 30:13-16; Matthew 17:24-27). While not direct personal income, control over these resources conferred significant economic and social influence to the religious leaders, particularly the Sadducees who had strong ties to the priesthood and Temple hierarchy.
It is important to note that Jesus criticized some religious leaders for their attitudes towards wealth and their treatment of the vulnerable. For instance, He condemned the scribes for “devouring widows’ houses” (Mark 12:40), suggesting exploitation or taking advantage of their positions for financial gain at the expense of the needy.
The teachings of Jesus frequently emphasized the right attitude towards wealth, advocating for generosity, justice, and the spiritual dangers of greed (Luke 12:15; Matthew 6:24).
Law Breakers
The religious leaders of Jesus’ time, including the chief priests, scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees, were increasingly threatened by Jesus’ ministry, His teachings, and the following He garnered. These leaders were concerned about maintaining their religious authority and social order under Roman occupation, and they viewed Jesus as a disrupter of both. The Gospels recount various strategies and actions they took to bring charges against Jesus, leading to His eventual arrest, trial, and crucifixion.
1. Questioning His Authority: They questioned Jesus’ authority to teach and perform miracles, trying to discredit Him in the eyes of the people. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked, hoping to trap Him into saying something they could use against Him (Matthew 21:23-27).
2. Attempting to Trap Him in His Words: The religious leaders frequently tried to trap Jesus with tricky questions, hoping He would make a politically or theologically dangerous statement. For example, they asked Him about paying taxes to Caesar, a question designed to put Him in opposition either to the Roman authorities or to the Jewish people. Jesus’ wise answer, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s,” left them amazed and unable to bring an accusation against Him on those grounds (Matthew 22:15-22).
3. Accusing Him of Blasphemy: The most serious charge the religious leaders sought to bring against Jesus was blasphemy, specifically for His claims of divinity and His ability to forgive sins, which only God could do. This charge became the central accusation in Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin, where the high priest asked Him directly if He was the Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus’ affirmative response led to His condemnation for blasphemy under Jewish law (Matthew 26:63-66).
4. Colluding with Judas Iscariot: The religious leaders found an unexpected ally in Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ own disciples. Judas agreed to betray Jesus into their hands for thirty pieces of silver, providing them with the opportunity to arrest Jesus away from the crowds, which they had feared could riot in Jesus’ defense (Matthew 26:14-16; 26:47-50).
5. False Testimony: During Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin, the religious leaders sought false testimony against Jesus to justify putting Him to death. Despite many false witnesses, their testimonies did not agree until two came forward claiming Jesus said He could destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days, misrepresenting His earlier statement (Mark 14:55-59).
These actions reflect the growing desperation of the religious leaders to eliminate what they perceived as a threat to their authority and the status quo. Ultimately, their efforts culminated in Jesus’ crucifixion, an event that, according to Christian belief, fulfilled God’s plan for the redemption of humanity through the sacrifice of His Son (John 3:16-17).
Commentary: Acts 9
SAUL’S CONVERSION / 9:1-19
Acts 1:8 seems to be a concise outline for the entire book. Chapters 1–7 describe the gospel being preached in Jerusalem. Chapter 8 shows believers, under threat of persecution, taking the good news of Jesus to Judea and Samaria.
Chapter 9 records a monumental event in the history of the church—the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. Saul (later known as Paul) would be God’s apostle to the Gentiles (Galatians 2:8; Ephesians 3:8). He would lead the church in spreading Christianity “to the ends of the earth” (1:8). Therefore Paul, more than any other person, figures prominently in chapters 10–28.
No one was better suited to the task than Paul: a “real Jew if there ever was one” (Philippians 3:5 NLT; see also Galatians 1:14); a native of Tarsus thoroughly acquainted with Greek culture (17:22–31); a citizen of Rome (16:37); trained in a trade so that he could support himself (18:3) as he traveled and ministered.
Before Christ could use this highly gifted man, however, he first had to transform him. Little did Saul know what lay ahead for him on the road to Damascus!
SAUL TRAVELS TO DAMASCUS
Many Christians fled Jerusalem when persecution began after Stephen’s death, seeking refuge in other cities and countries. Saul tracked them down, even traveling 150 miles to Damascus in Syria to bring Christians back in chains to Jerusalem. But as he neared the ancient city, he discovered that God had other plans for him.
9:1–2 Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath. He was eager to destroy the Lord’s followers, so he went to the high priest. He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains. Saul (later called Paul, the equivalent of “Saul” in Greek), first mentioned as a participant in the stoning of Stephen (see 7:58; 8:1), was so zealous for his Jewish beliefs that he began a persecution campaign against all who believed in Christ, all who were followers of the Way (see Paul’s testimony in Philippians 3:6). This name implied “the way of the Lord” or “the way of salvation.” Christ had earlier claimed to be “the way” (John 14:6). This designation is found a number of times in Acts (19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22; see also 16:17; 18:25–26).
GOD’S WAY
As Saul traveled to Damascus, pursuing Christians, he was confronted by the risen Christ and brought face-to-face with the truth of the gospel. Sometimes God breaks into a life in a spectacular manner, and sometimes conversion is a quiet experience. Beware of people who insist that you must have a particular type of conversion experience. The right way to come to faith in Jesus is whatever way God brings you.
Why would the Jews in Jerusalem want to persecute Christians as far away as Damascus? There are several possibilities: (1) to seize the Christians who had fled; (2) to prevent the spread of Christianity to other major cities; and (3) to keep the Christians from causing any trouble with Rome.
The letters requested by Saul would not only introduce him, but they would provide him with the high priest’s authorization to seize followers of Christ and bring them back to Jerusalem. Most synagogues in Syria probably recognized this right of extradition. Not only was Saul going to pursue them, he also was going to arrest both men and women and bring them back in chains.
9:3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Damascus, a key commercial city, was located about 175 miles northeast of Jerusalem in the Roman province of Syria. Several trade routes linked Damascus to other cities throughout the Roman world. Damascus was one of the ten cities known as the Decapolis (see Mark 5:20; 7:31). Saul may have thought that by stamping out Christianity in Damascus, he could prevent its spread to other areas.
Nearing his destination, at about noon, when the sun was at its full height (see 22:6; 26:13), Saul suddenly found himself awash in a brilliant heavenly light. Though the text does not overtly state that Saul saw Christ, that fact is implied, since seeing the resurrected Lord was a requirement of New Testament apostleship (see 1 Corinthians 9:1; 15:8). Also, the testimonies of Ananias (9:17) and Barnabas (9:27) confirm an eyewitness encounter.
9:4–5 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Not only did Saul witness the brilliant glory of the Lord, but he also heard the voice of Jesus Christ. (For the rest of what Jesus said, see 22:8, 10, 17, 21; 26:15–18.) Saul thought he was pursuing heretics, but according to the voice, his actions were tantamount to attacking Jesus himself—I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Anyone who persecutes believers today is also guilty of persecuting Jesus (see Matthew 25:40, 45) because believers are the body of Christ on earth. This is a powerful statement about the union that exists between Christ and his church.
As he lay there in the dust, Saul must have been reeling from the realization that Jesus, the crucified founder of this detested sect, had been resurrected by God and exalted in divine glory. Saul was not serving God, as he had thought, but opposing him!
RELIGION VS. RELATIONSHIP
Paul referred to his encounter on the road to Damascus as the start of his new life in Christ (1 Corinthians 9:1; 15:8; Galatians 1:15–16). At the center of this wonderful experience was Jesus Christ. Paul did not see a vision; he saw the risen Christ himself (9:17). Paul did not “get religion” (he was already a very religious man!); he found a relationship with Jesus. Paul acknowledged Jesus as Lord, confessed his own sin, surrendered his life to Christ, and resolved to obey him. True conversion comes from a personal encounter with Jesus Christ and leads to a new life in relationship with him.
9:6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” According to Paul’s own testimony in 26:16–18, Christ gave him, at this moment, a brief preview of his future as an apostle to the Gentiles. Further details would come once he made his way into the city of Damascus.
9:7 The men with Saul stood speechless with surprise, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice, but they saw no one! Those accompanying Saul heard the sound of someone’s voice and saw some kind of light (see 22:9), but they didn’t understand the full significance of this encounter. They saw no one, nor had they heard the specific words spoken to Saul (26:14).
9:8–9 As Saul picked himself up off the ground, he found that he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. He remained there blind for three days. And all that time he went without food and water. Saul was temporarily blinded by this revelation (an event with Old Testament precedence—see Genesis 19:11; 2 Kings 6:17–20), so his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. Saul’s subsequent fast (going without food and water) was most likely motivated by shock as he tried to ponder the full significance of his experience. Typically, fasting indicated a period of mourning or repentance.
A CHANGED LIFE
Saul’s conversion was undeniable:
• He went storming out of Jerusalem in a huff; he came stumbling into Damascus in humility (9:8–9).
• He went to arrest Christians; he ended up being arrested by Christ (9:1–5).
• He began the trip determined to wipe out the message of Christ; he ended the trip devoted to the cause of taking that message to the ends of the earth (9:19–22).
• He went from being a persecutor to being a persecuted one (9:23–25).
In short, Saul’s whole mind-set and belief system were turned upside down. He realized that Christ was not dead, but alive. Christ was not merely a Nazarene rabble-rouser; he was the Messiah, the Son of God.
Saul certainly had a lot to think about during those three days. He realized that despite his zeal for God, his recent activity of arresting Christians had been in direct opposition to God—otherwise, he would not have received this rebuke. The voice from heaven had told him that in persecuting the Christians, he was persecuting this one named Jesus, who, Saul realized, was associated with God, because of the heavenly light and glory he had seen. Saul then would have been forced to realize that Jesus was indeed the Messiah for whom the Jews were still waiting—the Messiah who had come and gone, murdered by Saul’s own contemporaries. Saul probably would have begun to think about the many prophecies that he had studied in his training as a Pharisee, prophecies that spoke of the coming Messiah. He would have been forced to conclude that Jesus had indeed met the requirements and fulfilled the prophecies. These Christians, whom Saul had been chasing, believed that Jesus had risen from the dead—and Saul had just seen the risen Christ in his glory. Suddenly, all that Saul had believed was being torn down and replaced with a new truth—the very truth that he had been seeking to extinguish. As Saul was thinking about all this, he was also praying (9:11).
9:10 Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” As Saul waited for further directions, the Lord began speaking to Ananias, “a godly man in his devotion to the law [who] was well thought of by all the Jews of Damascus” (22:12 NLT). Ananias, a Jew, had become a believer in Christ—a disciple. Ananias responded to the call of God with the same words of submission uttered by his forefathers, Abraham (Genesis 22:1), Jacob (Genesis 31:11), Moses (Exodus 3:10), and Samuel (1 Samuel 3:10): “Here I am, Lord.”
GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE
Given Saul’s selection as a key person in the vast program of God, we might think that Peter or one of the other apostles should have been chosen to minister to this important new convert. Not so. God called an unknown disciple named Ananias for this task. This has been true throughout church history. Consider this list of “nobodies”:
• John Staupitz: The man who helped lead Martin Luther to Christ.
• John Egglen: Instrumental in the conversion of C. H. Spurgeon.
• Edward Kimball: Just a shoe salesman … who happened to be D. L. Moody’s spiritual mentor.
• Mordecai Ham: A little-known evangelist who preached the night that Billy Graham yielded his life to Christ.
We never know how God might use us to touch a life that will, in turn, touch millions. Yield yourself to the purposes of God, and be faithful when he calls.
9:11–12 The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you arrive, ask for Saul of Tarsus. He is praying to me right now. I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying his hands on him so that he can see again.” The meeting between Saul and Ananias was divinely arranged. The Lord gave specific instructions to Ananias about where to go and for whom to look; in a separate vision, he told Saul to expect Ananias’s arrival. Such divine revelation with separate individuals having similar visions would be repeated again in 10:1–23.
Straight Street was and still is one of the main thoroughfares of Damascus. Ananias was directed to the street and to the house of Judas. Somehow God had led those in Paul’s entourage to take him to this particular house; then God prepared his other servant to meet Saul. Ananias had been chosen to be the instrument of healing and help to the new convert.
9:13–14 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! And we hear that he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest every believer in Damascus.” Ananias was understandably shaken by the Lord’s command to go and find Saul of Tarsus. Christians wanted to stay far away from Saul. His reputation as an enemy of the church was well documented, and the intent of this particular mission to Damascus was widely known. Ananias knew that Saul had been authorized by the leading priests to arrest every believer in Damascus. Fearful of what might happen, Ananias began to protest, “But Lord … I’ve heard about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem!” The ultimate measure of faith is how believers respond to commands that seem illogical (see Exodus 14:16; 1 Kings 17:3–14; 2 Kings 5:10; John 9:1–11). Despite his protests, however, Ananias was up to the task.
MISSION “IMPOSSIBLE”
“Not him, Lord; that’s impossible. Saul would never become a Christian!” In essence, that’s what Ananias said when God told him of Saul’s conversion. After all, Saul was persecuting believers to their deaths. Despite these understandable feelings, Ananias obeyed God and ministered to Saul. We must not limit God—he can do anything. Nothing is too hard for him (Genesis 18:14). We must obey and follow God’s leading, even when he leads us to difficult people and places.
9:15–16 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Ananias’s protest was met with a divine statement that Saul was God’s chosen instrument. What irony that the most zealous Jew and most anti-Gentile would be the chosen witness to the Gentiles. The literal translation of the Greek word skeuos is “vessel, jar, or dish.” It pictures an object that can contain, carry, and convey something else. In short, the Christian-hater from Tarsus had been handpicked by God to carry the name and message of Christ before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. For the rest of his life, Saul marveled that he would be the recipient of such mercy and grace, as well as be the appointee for such a noble task. Saul, who had caused horrible suffering for so many Christians, would find that he, too, must suffer. The remainder of the book of Acts and the many letters that Saul wrote that are included in the New Testament chronicle the words of this verse: Saul would find himself witnessing for Christ in front of Gentile audiences, Jewish audiences, and even kings. He also would suffer severely for his faith.
THE SNOWFLAKE PRINCIPLE
Saul was perfect for the task given him by God: thoroughly versed in Jewish theology, language, and culture; a native of Tarsus and, thus, equally at home in Greek culture; a citizen of the Roman Empire; trained in the secular trade of tentmaking, thus able to support himself financially. This is a great example of the truth that God has a tailor-made ministry for each Christian. It’s the snowflake principle. We’re all different. No one else would have been suited to do what Paul did. And no one else can do what you can do. No one else has your circle of friends, your abilities, your situations. In a sense, each believer has an apostolic call. God wants to send you out, to commission you to do something significant. You may not play a prominent or highly visible role, but God has a fulfilling plan for you that will bring him glory by building his church.
9:17 So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Ananias’s actions fulfilled at least two purposes. First, he functioned almost in a prophetic role, serving as God’s confirming mouthpiece in the commissioning of the great apostle—the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you … has sent me. Second, his visit served as a ministry of personal encouragement. Saul must have been encouraged when he heard Ananias greet him as Brother. God had told Ananias to go to Saul and lay his hands on him “so that he can see again” (9:12 NLT). So when Ananias arrived, he told Saul that Jesus had sent him so that Saul could regain his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Although there is no mention of a special and dramatic filling of the Holy Spirit for Saul (such as occurred for the twelve apostles), his changed life and subsequent accomplishments bear strong witness to the Holy Spirit’s presence and power in his life. Evidently, the Holy Spirit filled Saul when he received his sight and was baptized.
TAKING RISKS
Ananias found Saul, as he had been instructed, and greeted him as “Brother Saul.” Ananias feared this meeting because he knew that Saul had come to Damascus to capture believers and take them as prisoners to Jerusalem (9:2, 14). In obedience to the Holy Spirit, however, Ananias greeted Saul with love. It is not always easy to show acceptance to others, especially when we are afraid of them or doubt their motives. Nevertheless, we must follow Jesus’ command (John 13:34) and Ananias’s example, demonstrating genuine warmth and kindness to other believers.
9:18–19a Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. Afterward he ate some food and was strengthened. Upon the conclusion of this experience, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Saul was baptized, presumably by Ananias, and he ended his three-day fast (9:9). Following this encounter, nothing more is known about Ananias. Because this faithful man was willing to go where God sent him, he was used by God to prepare a man who would evangelize most of the known world and write a significant portion of the New Testament.
SAUL IN DAMASCUS AND JERUSALEM / 9:19B-31
The change in Saul was instantaneous. In less than one week, he went from being eager to destroy the Lord’s followers (9:1) to preaching about Jesus in the synagogues (9:20). The believers were understandably suspicious, but Saul’s powerful and persis-tent preaching, coupled with efforts by the Jewish leaders to kill him (9:23), finally convinced the apostles that his conversion was genuine. According to Galatians 1:17–18, Saul spent three years in Arabia between the time of his conversion (9:3–6) and his journey to Jerusalem (9:26).
According to Luke, following Saul’s acceptance by the apostles, the church enjoyed another growth spurt and a time of peace.
9:19b–20 Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. Saul obeyed his new calling immediately, for at once he began to preach. As would become his lifelong pattern, Saul went first to the synagogues so that he might preach the truth about Jesus to his Jewish kinsmen. His message, in summary, was that Jesus is the Son of God. This is the only time the phrase “Son of God” is used in the book of Acts (Acts 8:37 is not part of the original text of Acts). Describing Jesus as the “Son of God” had three implications: (1) it spoke of Jesus’ intimate and unique relationship with God the Father; (2) it placed Jesus in the kingly line of David; (3) it identified Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah of Israel (Matthew 26:63; Mark 14:61; Luke 22:67–70). Saul could do this so soon after his conversion because his experience on the road to Damascus had been unmistakable. Saul knew that Jesus was alive, that Jesus was God’s Son, and that Jesus was the Messiah.
TELLING YOUR STORY
Immediately after receiving his sight and spending some time with the believers in Damascus, Saul went to the synagogue to tell the Jews about Christ. Some Christians counsel new believers to wait until they are thoroughly grounded in their faith before attempting to share the gospel. Notice that Saul took time alone to learn about Jesus before beginning his worldwide ministry, but he did not wait to witness. Although we should not rush into a ministry unprepared, we do not need to wait before telling others the story of our encounter with Christ.
9:21 All who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem among those who invoked this name? And has he not come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?” The change in Saul caused his hearers to be amazed. They had expected Saul to show up and begin arresting followers of Jesus, for that was how he had made havoc in Jerusalem among the Christians. They also knew why he had come to Damascus in the first place—to bring Christians back to Jerusalem bound before the chief priests. Yet here was this enemy of Christianity preaching the Christian message! Surely these Jews made this information known to their leaders back in Jerusalem (9:23).
THE BEST ARGUMENT
Saul’s arguments for Christ were powerful because he was a brilliant scholar. But what made his gospel presentation even more convincing was his transformed life. People knew that what Saul taught was real because they could see the evidence in the way he lived. It is important to know what the Bible teaches and how to defend the faith, but be sure your words are backed up with your new life.
9:22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ. The Jews were baffled (literally, “thrown into consternation, confounded”) by Saul’s powerful preaching. His words were filled with power as he continued proving that Jesus is the Christ. The verb “prove” as used here means “to put together.” Essentially, what Saul was doing was taking Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah and putting them together with the facts of Jesus’ life, thus proving to the Jews living in Damascus that Jesus was the one to whom the Scriptures pointed.
Resources: Rev. Brad Standfest, Bruce B. Barton and Grant R. Osborne, Acts, Life Application Bible Commentary, Logos Bible Program
Sermon Notes:
Today I am going to land the plane on our Wonderful Sermon Series: Supernaturally Transformed
As I have stated in this Series… Supernatural Transformation is more than the Miracles themselves…
Here are some Highlights leading to Supernatural Transformation we have covered:
• Supernatural Transformation starts with growing Deep Roots in Christ.
• Supernatural Transformation means going a New Way… A New Direction… The Old is Gone and the New has Come.
• There Must be Action, Attitude, & Desire on your part.
• Jesus came to give is our lives back…even Everlasting life.
• We have the ability to hinder Supernatural Transformation because of Stubbornness in our lives.
• If you Desire Supernatural Transformation you must Surrender.
America is filled with Gangs…And Really the World is… Yes Gangs meaning the Bad Guys
A Gang can be defined as “an organized group of individuals who share a common identity… often through symbols, names, or colors. These organized groups engage in criminal or violent activities. Gangs may have a hierarchical structure to them.”
When I worked at Ford Motor Company there were people I worked with who were in Gangs…
I became Friends with a work Friend who was part of the Hells Angels…
I kind of got labeled the Department Pastor as I was going to College getting my Biblical Studies Degree
[Couple Short Stories of Hells Angels]
I would argue that some of the Religious Leaders in Jesus’ day & before participated in Gang Activity, Violence, and Murder…
The 5 Main Religious Leaders of Jesus’ Day were:
The Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes, High Priest & Priests and the Sanhedrin…
In the AVC APP I listed background & details to all these organizations…
The Death Penalty Could be enforced according to the Law of Moses (First 5 Books of the O.T.) If a person committed the following acts:
Murder, Adultery, Idolatry, Blasphemy, Sabbath Breaking, Rebellion against Parents, Witchcraft/Sorcery, & Sexual Crimes… (App Gives Details)
Detail about the Religious Leaders that will Lead us into our Main Text for Today:
“The Religious Leaders of Jesus ‘s day, perhaps broke the law more than the common Jewish family or individual. Just in regard to Jesus’s crucifixion… The Religious Mob bribed one of Christ’s Disciples named Judas, they brought in False Witnesses who lied under oath, they conducted a secret trial at night, which was forbidden by their law, they allowed Christ no defense before judgment, they physically abused and tortured Jesus, they falsely accused him of blasphemy… and quickly came to a unanimous verdict of guilt that was premeditated and a radical misinterpretation of their very own judicial system… even the Roman governor pilot concluded by exclaiming “I find no fault in this man… I am innocent of this man’s blood.” As we know Jesus Christ was Crucified… But he rose from the Dead & Christianity began to spread throughout the whole Roman Empire.”
So what did the Religious Leaders do…
They send one of their High Ranking Gang Members named Saul to go kill the Christians
Here is what the Scriptures say: After the Resurrection of Christ the number of Disciples were increasing… and some Jews pointed out that the widows were being overlooked. So, they chose Stephen… a man full of the Spirit and wisdom to oversee this ministry. So the Word of God spread rapidly all throughout Jerusalem and a large number of Jewish Priests put their faith in Jesus. However, opposition arose from the religious leaders in the Synagogue of the Freedmen. These leaders started to accuse Stephen of blasphemy and stirred up the crowd to believe what they said… But they couldn’t outwit the Power of the Holy Spirit inside him and Stephen preached the Word of God to them. (Excerpts from Acts 6,7,8)
The Word says Stephen was filled with these 3 Things: The Holy Spirit, Wisdom & Faith
Stephen had clearly been Supernaturally transformed by Christ… May we be people of the Spirit, Wisdom & Faith
Read Acts 7:54-59
Saul was a well-trained Pharisee under Gamaliel, and he was commissioned by the Gang members to Eliminate Christianity…
As you can Imagine… The Christians were praying against the Threats & Violence of the Gangs.
Talk about Supernatural Transformation… Read Acts 9:1-22
Devotional Questions
The account of Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus in Acts 9 is one of the most dramatic stories of supernatural transformation in the Bible. This event not only changed Saul’s life but also had a profound impact on the early Christian church and the spread of the gospel.
Read Acts 9 and dive into the questions & reflections below.
1. What supernatural event initiated Saul’s transformation on the road to Damascus?
Acts 9:3-4 describes a light from heaven suddenly flashing around Saul, and he hears a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
2. How did Saul’s physical blindness reflect his spiritual condition prior to his conversion?
After the heavenly light blinded him, Saul was led by the hand into Damascus, where he was blind for three days and did not eat or drink anything (Acts 9:8-9). This physical blindness can symbolize Saul’s previous spiritual blindness to the truth about Jesus and His followers.
3. What role did Ananias play in Saul’s supernatural transformation, and how did God communicate with him?
4. How does Saul’s immediate response to his conversion illustrate a transformed life?
- Acts 9:20 tells us that “immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God.’”
5. In what ways does the story of Saul’s conversion challenge our understanding of grace and redemption?
- Saul was actively persecuting Christians, yet God chose him for a special purpose—to bring the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15).
6. How did Saul’s conversion impact the early Christian community, especially those who were initially afraid of him?
7. What does Saul’s (who becomes Paul) transformation tell us about the power of Christ to change lives?
Saul’s conversion is a powerful testimony to the transformative power of Jesus Christ, demonstrating that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace and redemption. It shows that God can take someone who was an enemy of the faith and turn them into one of its most fervent messengers.