Acts of the Apostles - session 5
Acts 9
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Our hope is that you have read all about Paul's conversion. The account is quite DRAMATIC! Come on, you can do it!
There are just 17 verses in chapter nine of Acts. I have had a few in my class that had heard somewhere that Paul's heart had been softened when he stood holding Stephen's coat while he, the martyr was stoned to death. I don't think so myself. My understanding was that God wanted Paul for the spread of the church throughout the lands of the Gentiles. The startling event of being knocked down and blinded was what it took to get Paul's attention. Of course, he could have been stubborn and refused to acquiesce. He could have defied the Lord, Himself! Thanks be to God, Paul believed what he heard and accepted the TRUTH!
My favorite part of this was the involvement of Ananias. He gave a typical human answer when the Lord called to him in a vision;
There are just 17 verses in chapter nine of Acts. I have had a few in my class that had heard somewhere that Paul's heart had been softened when he stood holding Stephen's coat while he, the martyr was stoned to death. I don't think so myself. My understanding was that God wanted Paul for the spread of the church throughout the lands of the Gentiles. The startling event of being knocked down and blinded was what it took to get Paul's attention. Of course, he could have been stubborn and refused to acquiesce. He could have defied the Lord, Himself! Thanks be to God, Paul believed what he heard and accepted the TRUTH!
My favorite part of this was the involvement of Ananias. He gave a typical human answer when the Lord called to him in a vision;
Go to the house . . . on Straight Street and ask for a man. . . named Saul.
Ananais had heard of Saul. who had done much harm to the saints in Jerusalem. He replied boldly in saying that Saul planned "to arrest all who call on your name." Notice how the Lord handled what seems like a defiant answer. Perhaps His voice became a lot firmer, as He said "GO! This man is my chosen instrument . . ." Ananias got the message and went to do as he was told.
. . .something like scales fell from his eyes and Saul could see again . . . and he was baptized." (Acts 9:10-19)
Remember: most commentaries tell us that the name Saul was the Greek version, and Paul the Hebrew version, of this "chosen man's" name.
Here is an example of someone baptized in the name of Jesus and receiving the Holy Spirit at the same time. This did not always occur as we shall later read in Acts.
Over the course of the history of Christianity, many "saints" (as all of the Christians were called at that time) have been affected by this account of Paul's conversion and his life as well. Some, like me, have been affected by Ananias' part in all of this as well. I'm sure there are countless souls who have been called by God to do something that seems foolish and risky at the time. Yet, in spite of their reluctance, have felt that their mission was vital to God's plan for this world. We would certainly like to have your "take" on this dramatic account.
Here is an example of someone baptized in the name of Jesus and receiving the Holy Spirit at the same time. This did not always occur as we shall later read in Acts.
Over the course of the history of Christianity, many "saints" (as all of the Christians were called at that time) have been affected by this account of Paul's conversion and his life as well. Some, like me, have been affected by Ananias' part in all of this as well. I'm sure there are countless souls who have been called by God to do something that seems foolish and risky at the time. Yet, in spite of their reluctance, have felt that their mission was vital to God's plan for this world. We would certainly like to have your "take" on this dramatic account.