ACTS 9 1 -22 By Ron Halbrook 1

ACTS 9: 1 -22 [By Ron Halbrook] 1

The Conversion of Saul Introduction: 1. Fought the gospel, helped execute Christians, THEN preached the gospel, was executed as a Christian 2. What changed him? 3. Read Acts 9: 1 -22 & 22: 12 -16 2

ACTS 9: 1 -6 1 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. 3 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, why persecutest thou me? 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. 6 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 3 must do.

ACTS 9: 7 -9 7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. 8 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. 4

ACTS 9: 10 -14 10 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. 13 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 5 to bind all that call on thy name.

ACTS 9: 15 -18 15 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. 17 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. 6

ACTS 9: 19 -22 19 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. 21 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. 7

ACTS 22: 12 -16 12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, 13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. 14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. 15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. 16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. 8

The Conversion of Saul Introduction: 1. Fought the gospel, helped execute Christians, THEN preached the gospel, was executed as a Christian 2. What changed him? 3. Read Acts 9: 1 -22 & 22: 12 -16 4. Interesting, instructive, applies today! 9

The Conversion of Saul I. Sincere, Religious, But Wrong A. Acts 9: 1 -2 Viewed Gospel as False, Christ & Christians Blasphemers Reject Jesus as Messiah, Divine Very religious 10

The Conversion of Saul I. Sincere, Religious, But Wrong B. Today View Gospel as False, Christ & Christians Bigots Reject Jesus’ Teaching Jn. 8: 24 …if ye believe not that I am he… Jn. 12: 48 …the word that I have spoken… Jn. 14: 6 …I am the way, the truth, the life… Religious but wrong Rom. 10: 2 …not according to knowledge… 11

The Conversion of Saul II. Evidence of the Truth: Proof of the Resurrection A. Acts 9: 4 -6 Full Evidence of the Truth 4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 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. 6 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. 12

The Conversion of Saul II. Evidence of the Truth: Proof of the Resurrection B. Truth of Gospel: Change Honest Souls What changed Saul? Power, fame, money, lunatic? Overpowered by miracle of Holy Spirit? Acts 10: 34 …God is no respecter of persons Miracle was evidence Filled with H. S. after baptism, to be Apostle (Acts 9: 15 -18; Jn. 16: 13) Changed by evidence of truth! 13

The Conversion of Saul II. Evidence of the Truth: Proof of the Resurrection C. Full Evidence of Truth Today Acts 22: 14 -15 Testimony of Apostles 1 st oral, then written (2 Thess. 2: 15) Evidence preserved in Scripture Jn. 20: 30 -31 Written record of evidence Col. 1: 5 -6; 2: 9 -10; 4: 16 Word of truth 2 Tim. 3: 14 -17 Scripture for salvation Every truth revealed to convert honest soul 14

The Conversion of Saul III. Saved by Grace A. Eph. 1: 7 Jesus, Perfect Sacrifice B. Eph. 2: 8 -9 God: Plan, Sacrifice, Revelation C. Tit. 2: 11 -14 Message of Grace: Requires Teaching & Learning D. Saul Saved by Grace, Then Preached It— Same Word of Grace Saves Today 15

The Conversion of Saul IV. Saved When Met Conditions of Grace A. Acts 9: 6, 18; 22: 16 Saved by Grace thru Faith When Baptized in Water 6 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. 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. 22: 16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the 16 Lord.

The Conversion of Saul IV. Saved When Met Conditions of Grace B. Acts 9: 6; 22: 16 Convinced on Road, But NOT Saved on Road 9: 6 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. 22: 16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. 17

The Conversion of Saul IV. Saved When Met Conditions of Grace C. Acts 9: 11; 22: 16 Sought God in Prayer, But NOT Saved by Praying 9: 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 22: 16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. 18

The Conversion of Saul IV. Saved When Met Conditions of Grace D. Acts 9: 6; 22: 16 No Miraculous Work of the Holy Spirit on His Soul 9: 6 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. 22: 16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. 19

The Conversion of Saul IV. Saved When Met Conditions of Grace E. Saved When Meet Conditions Today, NOT as Denominational Preachers Claim: Saved by grace thru faith alone, before water baptism Claim: Saul saved on road, before baptism— proves men saved before baptism Claim: Saved in prayer, before baptism Claim: Saved by miraculous work of H. S. Conversion of Saul refutes false claims! 20

The Conversion of Saul V. United with the Church of Christ A. Acts 2: 41, 47 United with Christ & Christians when Baptized 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 47 …And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Added to universal church by the Lord NO catechism, creed, vote — NO denomination name, headquarters, rules 21

The Conversion of Saul V. United with the Church of Christ B. Acts 9: 19, 26 -28 United with Christians in a Specific Locality 19 …Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. 26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples… Added to local church as a Christian NO catechism, creed, vote — NO denomination name, headquarters, rules 22

The Conversion of Saul V. United with the Church of Christ B. Acts 9: 19, 26 -28 United with Christians in a Specific Locality Added to local church as a Christian NO catechism, creed, vote — NO denomination name, headquarters, rules Identified by name of Christ Acts 11: 26 …disciples were called Christians Rom. 16: 16 …churches of Christ Local church independent, autonomous— no part of denominational body 23

The Conversion of Saul V. United with the Church of Christ B. Acts 9: 19, 26 -28 United with Christians in a Specific Locality Work, worship in common faith & practice Acts 20: 7; 1 Cor. 16: 1 -2 …upon the first day of the week… Eph. 5: 19; Col. 3: 16 …singing— to please God not man— no instrumental music, choirs, dance, etc. 1 Tim. 3; 14 -16 Bible pattern for work— proclaim gospel, save souls— not feed the world, entertain, etc. 24

The Conversion of Saul V. United with the Church of Christ C. Unity with Christ = His Church, Body, Kg. Acts 20: 28 Church purchased with blood Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Eph. 5: 23 Christ: Head, Savior of church For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the 25 body.

The Conversion of Saul VI. Magnified Christ in Life & in Death A. Acts 9: 16; Phil. 1: 20 -21 Live & Die for Christ 9: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. 20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 26

The Conversion of Saul VI. Magnified Christ in Life & in Death B. Gal. 2: 20 Live for Christ at All Times I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 27

The Conversion of Saul VI. Magnified Christ in Life & in Death C. Set to Proclaim & Defend the Gospel Acts 9: 20 -22 Grew stronger in proclamation 20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 21 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. 28

The Conversion of Saul VI. Magnified Christ in Life & in Death C. Set to Proclaim & Defend the Gospel Rom. 1: 16 Not ashamed of the gospel For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Phil. 1: 17 Set to defend the gospel at all cost …I am set for the defence of the gospel. 29

The Conversion of Saul Conclusion: 1. Sincere but wrong? Rejoice to learn & obey the truth! Be saved by grace thru faith: Acts 22: 16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Christ will add you to his church! Magnify him in life & in death! 30