Verses 1-2 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 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.
The name “Saul” means “desired”. Saul was a “chosen vessel” unto the LORD as recorded in verse 15 below, and therefore he was “desired” by God to take the Gospel message to the Gentiles. The name “Paul” means “small” and is the name given to Saul after his conversion.
Saul was a zealot. He was determined to wipe out this new belief system and so he was able to get from the high priest official documents giving him arresting authority so that he could round up and bring Christian believers from Damascus for trial in Jerusalem. He was a very real threat to the true people of God, the followers of Jesus Christ. Saul was educated and a Pharisee and he was supported by the religious elite in his efforts to destroy what God was building, His Church. Why? Remember the words of Jesus in John 16:2. “They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.” Saul was sincere and believed he was serving God.
Verses 3-4 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
Damascus is currently the capital of the nation Syria and it has been one of the centers of Christianity for many centuries. There has always been a Christian community and Church in Damascus since the days of the early Church when Saul was planning to travel to the city to harm God’s people. God had other plans for Saul and He interrupted his day and his plans with supernatural light from heaven and with a voice that both Saul and the men accompanying him heard. God simply wanted to know why he was trying to drive Him away, trying to harass, trouble and mistreat Him.
Application: Notice that God did not ask Saul why he was persecuting believers. He clearly stated that Saul was persecuting Him, the LORD and Saviour. When anyone harms or offends a Christian believer, God is offended. He will judge and He will punish those trying to harm His Church. Any one who has come against or hurt this writer has eventually been silenced or punished in some way. This writer’s testimony is that no negative actions were needed to correct the situations, just a turning of the one/ones offending over to the LORD and letting Him deal with them. This has been a consistent outcome. God said vengeance was His and therefore converted Christian believers are to let go of the situation and of the hurt and let God move in whatever manner He chooses. Just as God protected the believers in Damascus from political and religious tyranny, He will protect His people today from attacks from Satan and from people in the world. He is the Father and a father’s job is to protect his children.
Verse 5 And 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.
The Greek word translated as “Lord” is “kurios” and it means several things such as master, sovereign, prince, chief, and during Saul’s day the Roman emperor. It is a title of honour or respect which servants used to salute their master. This is why Saul asked who it was that was speaking with him. Remember that the Jews had started the story that Jesus Christ did not rise from the dead, but that His body was stolen in the night by His disciples. Saul was not to know that this was not true. So at first reading, if Saul knew it was Jesus appearing to him it would seem like a silly question for Saul to ask, but all he knew was that something amazing was happening, he was blinded by the light, and all he could understand with his senses was that he was on the ground hearing a voice. Jesus answered Saul’s question without chastising him and in a gentle manner, and then Jesus simply acknowledged that what he was trying to do was in vain.
Verses 6-7 And 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. 7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
Now Saul knew he was speaking with the risen LORD Jesus Christ and he must have been confused and frightened, and questions must have been spinning around in his head. All that he had believed was crushed and made a lie in just a few short minutes of time. He was on the wrong side of the battle, and he had to realize that he could no longer resist Jesus.
Verses 8-9 And 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. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
Saul was blinded by the intense light of the LORD Jesus Christ and so his companions had to lead him the rest of the way to Damascus. Here was a young man, educated, religious, a Pharisee and therefore important in the Jewish community, healthy, and very independent now having to be lead along like a donkey, unable to find his way on the road and his destination without help. This must have been humiliating for him and frightening at the same time. He was not to know that the LORD would restore his sight. So it can be assumed that Saul was somewhat depressed at his present circumstances, unable to formulate a plan of action and to carry out any plan as he was basically helpless and at the mercy of others. Saul could now understand what it felt like to be helpless and at the mercy of others and to recognize that this was what his actions were doing to others when he arrested them and took them prisoner. Notice that the blindness lasted three days, the same amount of time that the prophet Jonah was in the dark inside the great fish. Under these circumstances, one has nothing but time in which to think, to think about and assess one’s past life, and hopefully to seek the LORD. God had provided a quiet time of reflection in the midst of Saul’s chaotic fervor to round up and destroy the people of God.
Application: Seemingly bad things happen to “good” people and often people question why negative circumstances are in someone’s life. Perhaps it is because God cannot get the attention of people and so He allows difficult circumstances to occur so that they have to have their busy lives interrupted so that they can hear the voice of God calling them to repentance and conversion.
Verses 10-12 And 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. 11 And 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, 12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
The name, Ananias, means “whom Jehovah has graciously given”. This man was a servant of the LORD Jesus Christ and he was listening to the LORD in his daily life. It must have been a surprise to hear that the LORD had given another man a vision of him coming to heal sight. Little is known about this man, Ananias, but apparently he was aware of Jesus’ commandment to lay hands on the sick and heal and give sight to the blind.
Application: Notice that the LORD told Ananias that Saul was praying. In the KJV when “eth” is added to a verb, the action is ongoing. So Saul did not merely utter a prayer here and there during his three days without sight. His praying was continuous which is why he did not eat or drink. He was doing some serious seeking of the LORD Jesus Christ. Saul was just as serious and sincere with his praying as he had been in his desire to rid the world of the Church. Only now his focus was corrected as in his blindness he was finally able to meet the LORD God of his forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. All the Babylonian teachings of the Jewish religious system were being destroyed and the truth of the Gospel was being poured into Saul by the Holy Ghost/Spirit. Today, it seems that much of the church world has become spiritually blind. The difference between Saul and today’s many evangelical churches is that Saul was physically blinded but he received spiritual sight whereas the churches today have physical sight but are spiritually blinded for the most part, blown around by any doctrine that comes along and calls itself “Christian”. In Mark 7:7 Jesus stated, “Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” And Saul when he was ministering as the Apostle Paul taught, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;” Ephesians 4:14 “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly; that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;” 1 Timothy 4:1 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 Is it not time for the remnant Christians to seek the LORD in prayer as did Saul of Tarsus?
Verses 13-14 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
Understandably, Ananias was somewhat concerned for his own safety. He knew Saul was hunting down God’s people and so in the natural, it would be foolish to go to Saul and present oneself as a believer who was to pray for him for healing. Ananias was not refusing to obey God, but he wanted some clarification of the situation.
Verses 15-16 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
The LORD assured Ananias that He had chosen Saul for a mission and a ministry and to just go. Ananias now knew that Saul was one of the LORD’s servants and a brother in the Faith.
Verses 17-18 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
Ananias did not go into a lengthy explanation or sermon when he met Saul, but just did as he was commanded by the LORD and laid hands on him and told him Jesus was restoring his sight. Very plain and simple and to the point, and Saul was able to see and immediately went somewhere to be baptized.
Application: Today, most churches only hold baptisms once or twice a year. This is not the pattern established by the early Church. As soon as someone converted and declared their intention to serve and follow Jesus, baptism was done. Some believers wait years before being baptized. As a result, baptism seems to have become just a ritual or formality. The real reason for being baptized seems to have been lost along the way. The purpose of baptism is not to show others that one has experienced the new birth and is now saved from sin, death and Hell, but it is commanded by God because at baptism, if done in the name of Jesus and not in the titles of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, individuals receive power through the infilling of the Holy Ghost. Yes, at conversion all believers receive the Holy Ghost or Comforter to lead and guide them through life in a sinful and depraved world, but power to do miracles comes with water baptism. This is why so many churches today do not see miracles in their congregations. Are they saved? Yes, at least some of them are but only God knows for sure. Do they have power from on high? No as seen in the lack of signs following. Only when the Church begins to do things in the pattern shown in the New Testament will people have power and will miracles become normal. Remember that in the Old Testament Moses was instructed by God to establish religious rituals that could not be changed. The priests had to do according to the pattern established in the Sanctuary in the wilderness. Why does not the Church follow the pattern established by the Apostles of Jesus Christ in the New Testament?
Verses 19-20 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. 20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
After baptism, Saul ate his first meal in over three days. His fears for the future were gone and his plans were now clear as he worshipped and fellowshipped with the disciples at Damascus. He was to put all his education, knowledge, energy and heart into ministry for the living God, the LORD Jesus Christ. So he immediately began by preaching the Gospel in the synagogues.
Verses 21-22 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? 22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
Because Saul had the first five books of the Old Testament memorized and because he had been raised in the Jewish culture and religion of his day, he was a formidable opponent to the Jews in Damascus who believed that Jesus was just a criminal who deserved being crucified. It was not fathomable for them to believe that God had come to Earth and walked among them as the Son of God. So Saul challenged their belief system and confused them as they had no arguments against what he was saying.
Verses 23-25 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: 24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. 25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.
So what does one do when someone upsets the accepted belief system and shows that error is being taught and promulgated. One sets out to destroy the man or woman who is challenging the status quo. And if killing the individual is considered to be a good and permanent solution to the religious, financial, or political problem, then get like minded people together, form a plan, and conspire to murder that individual. Jesus promised His disciples that He would never leave or forsake them and so Saul was protected and was helped to escape the town of Damascus. Notice that his official ministry was only just beginning and yet he was on the Jew’s “hit list” just as the LORD Jesus Christ had also been on the Jew’s “hit list”.
Application: Saul had three enemies: the flesh, the world and the Devil. It is the same with converted Christian believers today as the battle is still with the flesh, the world and the Devil. So if you, the reader, are in ministry and experiencing opposition, you are in good company and just following the example of Jesus, of the Apostles Paul and Peter, of the prophets of old, and of all the true believers who have ever walked this Earth. Never give up or get discouraged. God will provide a basket over the wall for every negative situation that can be encountered.
Verses 26-27 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
The disciples in Jerusalem had experienced the brunt of Saul’s religious fervor and activity. They had buried the prophet Stephen a short time ago and so they were understandably afraid to trust this man. But God sent a helper in the form of evangelist Barnabas who became a friend and partner in the ministry. Barnabas spoke up for Saul and so he was accepted by the Jerusalem disciples as a true disciple and servant of the LORD Jesus Christ. The name, Barnabas, means “son of rest” and he put to rest the concern regarding Saul.
Verses 28-31 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. 29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. 30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. 31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
The Grecians were Hellenistic Jews, those Jews born in foreign lands and who spoke Greek, and so they would be just as difficult to deal with as those Jews born in Judah. And so they adopted the same plan the Jews in Damascus had formulated and that was to just kill Saul and get rid of him. So once again Saul had to flee his countrymen and his abode. But after this episode, the persecution of the Church ceased for a time and the Church grew and grew in converts and in disciples.
Verses 32-35 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. 33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. 34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. 35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.
The name, Lydda, means “strife”. It was a town near Joppa and apparently saints or Christian believers were already living there. So it appears that Peter was doing the rounds of the local Churches and stopped in Lydda where he found the paralytic Aeneas whose name means “laudable”. So Peter, using the name of Jesus, commanded this man to get up and make his bed. This was a great miracle and it lead to the people of Lydda turning to Jesus. Notice that the verse above states, “all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.” The entire town of Lydda and the entire region of Sharon became followers of Jesus!!!
The Apostle Peter healed the paralytic man by using the name of Jesus and commanding the man to get up and walk. Peter did not pray a lengthy request or beg the LORD for the healing. The Apostle Peter was filled with the Holy Ghost/Spirit who is the Spirit of Jesus and therefore Peter had the same power to heal in Jesus’ name as Jesus did during His earthly ministry. The Church today in the western world is weak because it has decided that being baptized with the Holy Ghost is unnecessary and was only for the Apostolic Church and therefore does not apply to God’s servants today. So people are not healed, are not set free from Satan’s bondage, and are not interested in the Gospel.
Verses 36-38 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. 37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. 38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.
The name Joppa means “beautiful” and this was the city in which Tabitha lived. The name Tabitha means “female gazelle” which is a beautiful small antelope that is found in Africa and Asia. The name Dorcas also means “gazelle”. So one must wonder what this woman looked like and why her parents named her after this gentle and dainty creature. Apparently she was a valued member of the community and so her death was upsetting to many people, so much so that the disciples in Joppa sent to Lydda for the Apostle Peter to come and do something. They knew about the healing of the paralytic and they probably knew about the Apostle Peter’s ministry and the miracles that followed him and that he had been with Jesus.
Verses 39-43 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. 42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. 43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner. (Acts 9)
Raising Tabitha from the dead was not difficult for the Apostle Peter because he was just being obedient to the command of the LORD Jesus Christ as recorded in Matthew 10:8. “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.”
Here is another miracle of healing that simply came about with a command from the Apostle Peter to arise. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. His commandments are for all disciples down through time. It is the duty and responsibility of every true Christian believer to be obedient to the command given in Matthew 10:8 and elsewhere in the New Testament Scripture. It is the believer’s calling. God works miracles, but He chooses to do so through His servants. Miracles are things that are impossible in the natural world. All Christian believers should be looking to be a part of miracles every day and should be expecting to be used by the LORD to help others and to open the door to communicating the Gospel message through the miracles and power of the Holy Ghost/Spirit.