ACTS CHAPTER 9

MAIN THINGS

Saul’s conversion is astounding. Jesus stopped him on his way to destroy Christians and called him out to be the greatest missionary of all time. God already knew how much he must suffer for the name of Christ. Saul never had people be so-so about his testimony. It seemed that they either agreed or wanted to kill him. Ananias had a tough role of trusting the Lord as well in this chapter. Saul’s world is turned upside down and he is sent out through a hole in the wall in a basket to go and preach more. He would not be shaken even early on in his faith. As Saul went back to his homeland the church as strengthened, encouraged by the Spirit, grew in numbers, and this was in response to fearing the Lord. I am challenged by that verse as I help lead a ministry this year. I want our group to know the fear of the Lord and that we may grow in numbers, be filled with the Spirit, and be strengthened.

QUESTIONS & THOUGHTS

- Jesus just revealed himself in an amazing way to one man out of a group of people traveling together. They heard it somewhat but the message wasn’t for them. Why do you think that God doesn’t speak like this to everyone? Why doesn’t Jesus do this more often while we are doing evangelism?

- Saul had a huge following and the majority of Jews would have cheered his persecution of the church. Everything changes in an instant and all of his power and fame is stripped from him and they all turn against him. How did Saul respond to this? How did he look back on all of his greatness in the Jewish world (cf. Philippians)?

- Saul’s conversion could be a really cool movie. He ends up being kind of like a revolutionist William Wallace style character. He knows the Jews and their plots, and his brothers know the Greeks and their plots, and both times he is spared from their murderous plots. They wanted to murder him, does that sink in, that is hardcore. I like it when people like me. Would you be on Satan’s hit list?

- Again, amazing miracles happen through Peter and a whole city believes. God can do this through us, may we only believe Him for His omnipotence. We need to be a radical generation that calls out to God for these things that great numbers of people would turn back to Him and that He would use us as His conduit.