Day 98 – Friday, May 16, 2025

One Year Journey Through the New Testament

Acts 9

Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!

The Damascus Road: Saul Converted

1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ² and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

³ As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. ⁴ Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

⁵ And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”

Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

⁶ So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”

Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

⁷ And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. ⁸ Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. ⁹ And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 

(Acts 9:1–9, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Saul, the persecutor of the church, asked for authority to go to Damascus to search the synagogues for Christians he could threaten or kill.
• As he and his entourage approached Damascus, a light shined from heaven knocked Saul down, and he heard a voice from heaven asking him why he was persecuting Him.
• Saul was clueless, and asked who He was. He identified Himself as Jesus, the One Saul was persecuting. He told him to stop fighting against Jesus’ direction.
• Saul responded by asking what Jesus wanted him to do. He simply told him to go into the city and wait. Someone would tell him what to do.
• Those who traveled with him were astonished, hearing a voice but seeing no one. Saul stood up, but was blind, and they led him to Damascus. He was there three days blind and ate nothing.

Ananias Baptizes Saul

¹⁰ Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”

And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”

¹¹ So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. ¹² And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”

¹³ Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”

¹⁵ But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. ¹⁶ For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

¹⁷ And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ¹⁸ Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.

¹⁹ So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. 

(Acts 9:10–19, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• God then appeared to a disciple named Ananias. Jesus told him to go to the street Saul was staying on and to ask Judas to speak to Saul. God told him that Saul would have seen a vision of him praying for him.
• Ananias pushed back just a bit because he had heard Saul’s reputation for persecuting Christians. God told Ananias that Saul was a chosen vessel for God’s use.
• Ananias went to the house and laid his hands on Saul and told him what God had said and why he was there. When he laid his hands on him, he received his sight. He arose and was baptized.
• He ate food and was strengthened and spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.

Saul Preaches Christ

²⁰ Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

²¹ Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?”

²² But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ. 

(Acts 9:20–22, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• After a short period, Saul began to preach Christ in the synagogues.
• Many were amazed remembering the persecution Saul brought on the church.
• Saul increased in strength, and confounded the Jews in Damascus with his preaching of Christ.

Saul Escapes Death

²³ Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. ²⁴ But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. ²⁵ Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket. 

(Acts 9:23–25, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• After several days of preaching, the Jews realized Saul was now a threat and plotted to kill him. Saul was warned, and his brothers let him down the wall in a basket to escape.

Saul at Jerusalem

²⁶ And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. ²⁷ But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. ²⁸ So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. ²⁹ And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him. ³⁰ When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus. 

(Acts 9:26–30, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Saul left Syria and came to Jerusalem, but most Christians were afraid of him. Barnabus connected with him and vouched for him with the Apostles and disciples in Jerusalem.
• He then became a part of the fabric of the church in Jerusalem. He came and went freely. He spoke boldly for Christ and disputed his detractors. They attempted to kill him in Jerusalem as well. When the church uncovered the plot, they moved Saul out of Jerusalem and sent him to Tarsus.

The Church Prospers

Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. 

(Acts 9:31, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Judea, Galilee, and Samaria were seeing great growth and peace among the Christian churches. They feared God and prospered.

Aeneas Healed

³² Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. ³³ There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. ³⁴ And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. ³⁵ So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. 

(Acts 9:32–35, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Peter preached throughout the various parts of the country.
• In Lydda he found a man named Aeneas who was paralyzed. He declared his healing in the name of Jesus, and he arose immediately.
• Great conversions happened as a result.

Dorcas Restored to Life

³⁶ At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. ³⁷ But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. ³⁸ And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. ³⁹ Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. ⁴⁰ But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. ⁴¹ Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. ⁴² And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. ⁴³ So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner. 

(Acts 9:36–43, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Another great miracle occurred nearby in Joppa.
• A well-respected woman named Tabitha (Dorcas) got sick and died. They prepared her for burial, but then a few disciples of Christ called for Peter, since he was nearby.
• Peter came quickly, and entered the upper room where she was laid. The mourners were weeping for Dorcas. Peter had them all step out of the room.
• He simply said, “Tabitha, arise.” She opened her eyes and sat up, and Peter presented her to the disciples in Joppa.
• Many believed in Jesus and were saved.
• One thing is apparent from the events of the book of Acts thus far. Miracles, healings, even raising the dead were available to the apostles and disciples. When people saw these things take place, they were moved to accept Christ, in whose name they were done.
• God we need your miracles today! Not just for the good of those in need, but also for the witness they present of the power of God to save.

All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.

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Join us this afternoon at 5:00 pm for a discussion of this chapter live online. Live@5 with Dr. Greg Sloop can be found on Facebook on the Dr. Greg Sloop page or on the Kannapolis Church of God Facebook page or Youtube page. Another blog will be posted each weekday at 6:00 a.m.