Studies in Book of Acts

Chapter 9:17-43Apostle Ronald C Hill Sr.

Dec. 28-31, 2011

Acts 9:17

So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 9:18

18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

Acts 9:19

19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

A. At this point Ananias expresses full fellowship with Saul, the new convert, by laying his hands on him, and by calling him, “Brother Saul”.

B. When Ananias lays his hands on Saul he was delivered from blindness and he also was filled with the Holy Spirit.

1. This is the first instance of the Holy Spirit being imparted through and ordinary believer. Ananias was what we would call a “layman”. A layman is anyone who does not have an official title such an apostle, pastor or clergy.

 

One of the most important lessons we can learn from Acts is that Christianity is a layman movement. The word of witnessing was not committed to a special class, such as Apostles, preacher or the clergyman, but to all believers.

If the people who set in the pews fail to witness to the sinners of the world the church fellowship is sure to die.  

Acts 9:20

20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

Acts 9:21

21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in

Acts 9:21 cont.

21 Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

Acts 9:22But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.

C. The Holy Spirit anointed Saul and he immediately began to preach the gospel of Christ. In verse 20 we find the only reference to Jesus Christ as the Son of God in the book of Acts.  

D. Saul’s arguments were powerful because he was a brilliant scholar. But what was more convincing was his changed life.   

E. One can only imagine the astonishment of those Jews in the synagogue at Damascus when they heard the man, whom they all respected and to whom

E. they looked for leadership in quenching the spreading of the flame of Christianity, stand up in their midst and proclaim Jesus of Nazareth as God.

Acts 9:23

23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

Acts 9:24

24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

Acts 9:25

 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.

F. The actions of Saul so infuriated the Jews that it led them to plot against the life of the one who had once been their champion, but who is now one they considered to be an “apostate”, a “renegade”, a

F. “turncoat”. One of the sure ways to discern that a religious group is a not of God is when they seek to destroy you if you decide to discontinue your fellowship with them. They will hate you and seek to destroy you.  

G. Saul escaped with his life by being lowered by night over the wall of the city.  

II Corinthians 11:30-33

30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.

II Corinthians 11:30-33

31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.

II Corinthians 11:30-33 32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:

II Corinthians 11:30-33

33 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.

Acts 9:26

And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple.

Acts 9:27

But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to

Acts 9:27 cont.

him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.

Acts 9:28

28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

H. It is difficult to change your reputation, and Saul had a terrible reputation with the Christians of that day. Saul sought to have fellowship with them, but either they did not believe that such a person would

H. be saved or they thought he was spying on them.  

I. God used Barnabas as the bridge between Saul and the Christian. New converts especially those with a tarnished reputation need someone to sponsor him or her. They need a Barnabas in their lives who

I. will come alongside them and encourage, teach, and introduce them to other believers.

I trust all of us will find a way to become a Barnanbas to new believers.

Acts 9:29

And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

Acts 9:30

Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

J. This was a second attempt to kill Saul, but again he escapes. The greater the call, the greater the danger.

Acts 9:31

Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of

Acts 9:31

the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

K. This ends the third persecution of the church.

L. In verse 31 we find 5 blessings that the church received.

1. They received rest and peace there was no more persecution

2. Edification

3. Walking in the fear of God.

4. Walking in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

5. They increased in numbers.

M. At this point we hear no more about Paul until Acts 11:25, which is supposed to be about 8 years after his conversion.

Acts 9:32

32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.

Acts 9:33

33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.

Acts 9:34

34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.

Acts 9:35

35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord. 

N. The narrative now reverts to Peter, we find him visiting believers in various parts of Judea.

O. God now uses Peter to speak healing upon Aeneas who had been in bed sick for 8 years. Peter spoke and said “Jesus Christ maketh thee whole” and Aeneas arose immediately.

1. The miracle of healing caused all the people who saw the miracle to come to the Lord.

Acts 9:36

36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman

Acts 9:36

36 was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

P. We are now introduced to Dorcas. She was a woman abounding in good deeds and acts of charity

Acts 9:37

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.

Acts 9:38

And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him

Acts 9:38

two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.

Q. The name Tabitha in Syria and Dorcas in Greek both mean antelope or gazelle. It was custom to give names of beautiful animals to young women.  

R. Dorcas became sick and she dies. Now the disciples had heard that Peter was in Lydda and no doubt they also had heard about how God had used Peter to heal Aeneas. They sent men to bring Peter without delay.

 

Acts 9:39

Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows.

Acts 9:39

stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them

S. Peter immediately rose and accompanied them. When Peter arrived he found people weeping and showing the great work Dorcas had done while she was alive.   

1. The bible does not say in this passage of scriptures that anyone in that city believed God or had faith to believe God could raise Dorcas from the dead.  

2. The bible does not even say that Dorcas was a Christian. But it does say she was a woman who did good deeds.

Acts 9:40

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.

Acts 9:41And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.

T. It appears that God honored her works by using Peter to raise her from the dead.   

Acts 9:42

42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

Acts 9:43

43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

U. Many souls were saved as a result of Dorcas being raised from the dead.

V. God now sends Peter to Joppa to live with Simon the Tanner to wait for his next assignment

1. Simon was a Tanner. A tanner was a person who dealt in the animal hide business. He dealt with clean and unclean animals, which was the cause of him being held in contempt by the Jews.

W. Thus Peter didn’t stay with the rich people of Joppa, but lived in a humble abode.

LIFELESSONS

#1 IF GOD SHOULD LEAD YOU TO ASSOCIATE WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS A BAD REPUTATION MAKE SURE YOU DON’T ALLOW THEIR PAST TO PREVENT YOU FROM OBEYING GOD. PEOPLE DO CHANGE. 

#2 GOD USED A NON-CLERGYMAN TO MINISTER TO SAUL. YOU DON’T HAVE TO HAVE AN OFFICIAL TITLE TO BE USED BY GOD. 

#3 AFTER GOD BLESSES YOU; YOU MUST NOW ALLOW GOD TO USE YOU TO BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS.

#4 DO ALL THE GOOD FOR PEOPLE THAT YOU CAN. SOMEDAY IT WILL BLESS YOU EITHER ON THIS SIDE OR THE OTHER SIDE.

#5 WHAT EVER YOU DO, DO IT ALL IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

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