Acts Chapter 9
Every person’s story of conversion to Jesus is a miracle, but the conversion of Saul is incredible since he was once a man who sought to persecute and stamp out people of “the way.” The people of the early church were afraid of this man, and with good reason.
Acts 8:3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing [them] to prison.
But God saw the potential of the man that He wanted Saul to be, a man who lived with purpose to extol the name of Christ.
Lately I have been listening to lots of testimonies of people on the internet who gave their lives to Christ, many from horrible backgrounds. One thing they all seem to have in common whether they were terrible drug addicts, criminals or even satan worshippers; they are all so very grateful that God rescued them from sin and from death. And they can’t imagine living the rest of their days in any other way than to proclaim Christ to whomever will listen to them.
Let's Reflect
1. What exact purpose did God tell the Christ-follower Ananias that he had for Saul? See verse 15. Every man and woman has a purpose for being on this earth. What purpose might God have for your life that you have not discovered yet?
2. Saul had a plan to go as far as Damascus to go into the synagogues and root out people who proclaimed the name of Christ, people of “the way.” He even got papers signed by the religious leaders in Jerusalem for permission to do this. On the way God shone a light down on him and He spoke to Saul. What did God say?
3. God’s voice was audible. How do we know this?
4. How did Saul get to Damascus since God blinded his eyesight?
5. To think that Ananias would have become a victim of Saul’s persecution is incredible when you think about it. Instead, Ananias was used by God to deliver something to Saul, what was it?
6. I love this account because these two men had never met before, but God told Ananias how to find Saul. He also gave him a specific about Saul that Ananias was “seen” in a vision of Saul when he had prayed to God. What did Saul see Ananias doing before he ever arrived in that house?
7. Once Saul was healed, he immediately was baptized and then began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues. What a turnaround! Saul had a reputation, and people were amazed to hear him declaring the name of Jesus. Verse 22 tells us that Saul increased in strength. I believe this is spiritual strength in Jesus. He confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus because he was doing what? What was their answer to the confusion they felt about this new disciple of Jesus?
8. Saul made his way back to Jerusalem. How was he received there?
9. Because of the threats against the life of Saul, the disciples in Jerusalem helped him escape to Caesarea and on to Tarsus. And so, begins the life of Saul taking the gospel to the Gentiles the very purpose that God had for Saul’s life. The other purpose God had in saving Saul is stated in verse 21, what was it?
10. The rest of chapter 9 tells of a miracle that Peter did in the life of a special sweet girl named Tabitha. What miracle did Peter do for her? [Warning – it is mind boggling! But it is so beautiful!]
Devotionals
