STUDIES IN THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
VOLUME
TWO
Chapter’s
9-14
INTRODUCTION:
While the Acts of the Apostles is very much a history of the apostolic church, there is much doctrine to be derived from it, especially in relationship to ecclesiology, the doctrine of the church. This writer enjoys the study of Acts because of its Practical Theology. It not only tells, but shows us how they did it in those days of the beginnings of the church that Jesus built from the shores of the Sea of Galilee. The beginning of this volume is the beginning of new life and ministry in the greatest missionary-evangelist of all time, Saul of Tarsus who became the apostle Paul. In Paul we will see much more of the
in-working of God’s absolute sovereign grace and purpose. Let us now begin the second part of our study through the Acts of the Apostles
AN
APOSTLE IS BORN!
(The Conversion of Saul of Tarsus)
Scripture:
Acts 9:1-30
Text: 1 timothy 1:15
"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief."
INTRODUCTION:
We should never underestimate the power of God to save the chief of sinners. That is what Saul (who was later called, Paul) called himself in his first letter to the young Pastor, Timothy. And indeed he had been a ringleader in the persecution against the Church at this time. Saul had a most amazing conversion as the Lord Jesus Himself arrested him on the Damascus Road.
As we look at this amazing account here in Acts chapter nine, we see:
1. CONVERSION: Vs 1-18
A. Arrested By Jesus:
1.
We see first of all, Saul the sinner. Vs
1-2
No one can be
converted if he does not first know in his heart the need for conversion.
2. Then we see instant conversion. Vs 3-4
Saul's conversion was not instant in the light of God's sovereign plan of grace from eternity. But, from the time Jesus spoke to him on the Damascus Road, there appears to be a quick turn around. Such turn around can only be accounted for by a personal encounter with Jesus Christ.
3. Saul meets the Lord! Saul, the chief of sinners, the ringleader in persecution against the Body of Christ in Jerusalem, now meets the Lord. We may think we are right and that we are our own person, but we all must give an account to someone, especially to the LORD.
Saul no doubt thought that his "religion" was right. That he was actually working for God in persecuting the Church.
Saul thought he was persecuting heretics, a bunch of radicals who were turning God's people away from Him, towards a false God.
Idols cannot speak, but Jesus whom Saul no doubt thought was dead, now appeared to him and was speaking.
"I am Jesus whom you have been persecuting."
4. Here I believe is the pivotal point of Saul's conversion:
"Vs 6 -"And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?"
Then came the marching orders:
"Arise and go into the city, (Damascus) and it shall be told thee what thou must do."
5. New Testament preaching was aimed at the need for personal conversion.
Acts 3:19
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord."
Matthew 18:3
"Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter the kingdom of heaven."
B. Ananias The Soul Winner: Vs 10-18
1. The first thing we see here is that although salvation is of the Lord, it pleases God to use men.
Throughout the ministry of Christ, He schooled His disciples to do His work. Man cannot save, that is the business of the Lord. However, God uses men to witness to, and to lead sinners to a personal knowledge of Jesus Christ and life within the New Testament Church.
Paul would later write to the Church in Rome:
Romans 10:14
"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
God uses men, and Jesus commissioned the Church to preach the gospel to every creature. To make disciples of all nations.
Ananias is perhaps the only one who knew that this chief of sinners was actually a sheep, one of God's elect. The rest of us do not have that luxury, we just preach the gospel to everyone and the Lord adds to the Church such as should be saved.
Hyper-Calvinistic Hardshells err when they refuse to preach the gospel to everyone. How can we tell a sheep from a goat when "all are equally sinners," until the cross has done it's work personally in the heart and life of the one who is redeemed by the blood of the Lamb?
2. The second thing we see here is that Ananias was led by the Lord:
(Excuse me if I smile a little here. How many times have I had someone come to tell me they were led of the Lord? Then they proceeded to tell me some outrageous thing that they thought I needed to know.)
Please take note that God spoke to both Saul and Ananias. When Ananias met Saul, he knew God's leading. When Saul met Ananias, he knew what God has already told him. This was confirmation, not leadership by man. Be ware when someone tells you, "God told me to tell you." Such people usually just need a good dose of Alka-Seltzer.
God always works from both ends of the street, to the middle of the road. See verses 6, 10-12 -
3. Ordered to action! The Lord gave Ananias direction, even while Saul was still praying. It is amazing that Saul was now living on Straight Street! I believe he was converted, but needed some counseling, some direction.
Ananias would visit Saul to give him physical sight, but also spiritual vision.
4. The hesitation of men: Vs 13-14
Don't fault Ananias for his
hesitation in going to do some visitation. When is the last time you did any
personal visitation to talk to someone about the Lord? Remember that Saul was
not just anyone. He had authority to bind Christians in chains and haul them
off to Jerusalem where they may be killed. I think all of us would ask the same
question that Ananias did.
The main thing here is that with a
brief explanation, Ananias went to call on Saul!
5. God's chosen vessel: Vs 15-16
God's reasons are stronger and
supercede our fears.
a) "He
is a chosen vessel unto me"
b)
"To
bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings and Israel"
c)
"For
I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake,"
God would remake this broken
vessel and use it for His glory. How would you react to this Word from Jesus?
The truth is, we do not know what
plan God has for the man across the street, the one working next to you at the
shop, or the one you meet regularly in the elevator. That is really not our
business. Our business is to preach the word!
6. Ananias message to Saul: Vs 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 you in the way as you came, has sent
me, that you might receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy
Spirit."
a) Ananias
went directly into the house and laid his hands upon Saul.
Remember that Saul was still
blind, but Ananias shows no hesitation here.
b)
"And
said, Brother Saul" - Saul is already considered a brother even before he
is baptized.
c)
Confirmation:
"Jesus has sent me." Saul was not caught off guard as Jesus had also
told him about Ananias (Vs 12.)
d)
To
receive his sight and to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
First he would be healed of his
blindness. Then he would be anointed with the power of the Holy Spirit.
The term "filled with the
Spirit" is acquainted with Christian service in the New Testament.
7. Saul is healed and baptized: Vs 18
a) "Immediately there fell as it were scales from his eyes and he received his sight."
b) "And was baptized." Saul was then taken out and immersed. Nothing is said here about the place of baptism. The word baptizo means to immerse, so could not have been done in the house. Perhaps it was in the Barada River that runs through Damascus? The ancient city of Damascus was built upon its banks and Straight Street was the only straight street in the city and was close to the river. (Funk and Wagnall's New Encyclopedia-Volume 7.)
c) We see here that healing came before baptism. Spiritual healing also comes before baptism. One is not baptized in order to be saved, but because they are already a recipient of salvation.
2. CONTINUED SERVICE: Vs 19-25
Someone has well said that the Christian is "saved to serve." This we can certainly see in the life and testimony of the Apostle Paul.
A.
Preaching: Vs 20-23
1. Saul began preaching after only brief rest.
"And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples, which were at Damascus.
And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that He is the
Son of God" (Vs 20).
2. Remember, that Saul was already a well-educated man and would know the Scriptures.
Acts 22:3
"I verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye are all are this day."
3. He now saw and was able to make the connection between the
prophecies of Messiah, and Jesus Christ. He knew Jesus to be the Son of God.
4. Saul's theme was "Jesus as the Son of God." He preached
the deity of Jesus Christ. This term implies as well that Jesus is the Savior.
Isaiah 7:14
"Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
Cf Matthew 1:23.
Isaiah 9:6
"For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His
name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace."
5.
Luke,
here records the amazement of those who heard him preach. Saul the persecutor
of Christians was now a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The persecutor
had joined the persecuted!
6.
The
Jews in Damascus were now very confused by Saul's ability to persuade them
concerning Jesus Christ. He was able to prove his point concerning Jesus being
the Messiah. Vs 21-22
7.
The Chief Priests in Jerusalem would
receive no more Christians by the hands of Saul. They would indeed soon hear
the same gospel message as the Jews of Damascus were hearing. Saul increased
spiritually as he further connected the Scriptures concerning Christ with
Jesus. He declared that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.
B. Persecution: Vs 23-25
1. After some time had passed, the Jewish leaders worked out a plan to assassinate Saul.
2. News that the Jewish leaders planned to kill him reached Saul. God does not keep his ministers in the dark.
3. The Jewish leaders had guarded the gates of the city day and night. In order to kill him.
4. In the dark, the other disciples lowered Saul down from the city wall in a basket. In this way he Providentially escaped death.
5. God still had a work for Saul to do.
Vs 25 - "Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket."
"There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye might be able to bear it."
God takes care of His own people, and not always in the way we might expect. Sometimes, he uses a basket.
3. COUNCIL IN JERUSALEM: vs 26-30
A. Testimony to the Apostles:
1. In leaving Damascus, Saul went directly down to Jerusalem. Providence is often seen in closed doors of persecution. It was necessary for Saul to spend some time with his local church. The Damascus Church was where he was baptized.
We do not read of a special blessing on Saul by the Church, and most certainly this sending Church used a unique method of laying on of hands. I am certain they prayed for him and wished him well as they had to sneak him out of the city of Damascus.
2. In his attempt to join with the Church in Jerusalem, he found fear and uncertainty as to his true conversion. (Vs 26.)
This certainly is to be expected in the light of all of the persecution that Saul was responsible for in previous days.
3. Barnabus became the reference person and took charge of Saul and introduced him to the twelve (12) apostles.
4. It is good to have others who will testify to your faith.
Acts 26:26
Paul later told King Agrippa, " … For this thing was not done in a corner."
Barnabus explained how Saul had met with Jesus, been converted on the Damascus Road, was baptized and preached the gospel to the Jews in the city of Damascus.
5. Saul had preached "boldly" or fearlessly, without fear of death, and with real conviction, in the name of Jesus.
Saul's old record has been wiped clean by Jesus Christ. His new record was now laid out before the twelve apostles.
B. Testimony in Jerusalem: Vs 28-30
1. Saul was with the twelve apostles coming and going from the city of Jerusalem. This literally means throughout Jerusalem coming and going he was seen with the apostles. (Vs 28).
2. He preached in Jerusalem, the seat of Judaism.
3. He spoke boldly in the name of the Lord (reference is to Jesus)
4. He debated with the Hellenists (Greek speaking Jews) concerning Jesus being the Messiah
5. Here we see another attempt to kill Saul.
6. When "the brethren heard this" accompanied him to Caesarea, from where he then left for his home city of Tarsus in Cilicia.
Dr. John Gill has this to say about this verse:
Verse. 30. Which when the brethren knew, &c.] When the members of the church heard of it, by some means or another:
They brought him down to Caesarea; not that which was before called Strato's tower, the same as in #Ac 8:40 but Caesarea Philippi, mentioned in #Mt 16:13 the Syriac version adds, "by night", and some copies, "and sent him forth to Tarsus"; a city of Cilicia, his own native place, where he might be more safe, and also useful among his friends and acquaintance; #Galatians 1:21." -(John Gill Expositor)
CONCLUSION:
Verse 31 -Then had the Churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, were multiplied."
There was now peace among the churches. They were able to concentrate on building themselves up spiritually in the fear of the Lord and were filled with the consolation of the Holy Spirit. In this way, the churches grew in number as souls were saved and added to the Church by baptism.
Sermon preached by Dr. D. Paul Tuck Sr.
Landmark Baptist Church, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada.
Sunday morning, May 13th 2001.
LESSON SEVENTEEN –
PREACHING THRU ACTS
THE
EARLY MINISTRY OF THE APOSTLE PETER
Scripture: Acts 10:1-48
Text: 2
Peter 1:1
"Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ."
INTRODUCTION:
Peter the fisherman, now a fisher of men! Peter who previously could not testify to the young woman at the fire, now a stalwart preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ! Peter, who at one time had a tendency to talk much without thinking, was now able to reason about Christ, and work miracles by the power of His name.
As we look at this chapter we get a good insight into the early ministry of this beloved apostle. We will look at it under three headings:
1. Rising from Death.
2. Revealing Christ to a Gentile.
3. Reasoning with Cornelius.
1. RISING FROM DEATH: 9:32-43
Here we see some of the miracles wrought by the hands of the apostle as predicted by Jesus Christ. These give evidence of the resurrected Christ who now sits on the right hand of authority in heaven. That is the purpose of apostolic miracles that took place until the completion of New Testament Scripture, except for Revelation, by the time of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
A. A Paralytic Healed:
1. Peter was preaching in several towns and cities and came to Lydda, close to Joppa near the Mediterranean Sea.
2. There Peter found a man who was a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years. His name was Aeneas.
3. Peter's charge to the paralytic:
"Aeneas Jesus Christ makes you whole arise and fold up your bed roll."
a) We see here the authority of the name of Jesus.
b) The instant healing. God's work of grace is instant, we do not have to struggle through life and hope we can endure to the end and finally be saved.
Like the spiritual healing of Saul of Tarsus we see the instant healing of this paralytic.
4. The result of this miracle and the preaching of Jesus was that many turned to Christ and were converted.
This is the reason or purpose for the miracles of Jesus and the apostles.
B. A Pious Woman Raised From Death:
1. At Joppa there was a woman named Dorcas, who was a disciple of Jesus.
2. She was a servant in the Church there, who never tired of doing a good work and giving in charity.
3. The time came when she became ill and died. They washed her body according to custom and laid her out in an upstairs room.
4. Lydda is close to Joppa, and so when the disciples heard that Peter was there they sent two men with an urgent message for him to come and visit them as soon as possible.
The urgency appears to be due to the death of Dorcas.
5. Upon arrival in Lydda, Peter went straightway up to the room where Dorcas lay. The widows stood around her in tears. (The official mourning according to custom.) They showed Peter the things Dorcas had made when she was with them.
6. Peter sent everyone from the room and prayed.
Notice the order here:
a) Peter knelt in prayer. (Kneeling is a sign of humility.)
He needed the quiet of prayer away from the noise of the mourners and the unbelief of others.
b) He then turned to the dead woman and said, "Tabitha, stand up."
(Tabitha is her proper name, which interpreted means Dorcas or perhaps Doe.)
c) She opened her eyes, looked at Peter and sat up. Peter helped her to her feet.
d) He called in the saints and widows and showed that she was alive.
Notice that all of the disciples here are called "saints".
7. The result of this miracle was that all of Joppa heard about it, and many placed their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus. This of again is the purpose of apostolic miracles.
2. REVEALING CHRIST TO A GENTILE: