College Notes
The Acts
Chapter 9
Saul's
Conversion (9:1-31)
Struck Down
(9:1-9)
Saul's conversion - 35 A.D.
Note: Account of conversion given three times in Acts, 22:5-6; 26:12-18. Also Gal. 1:15-2:2.
vs. 1
Paul diligent in persecution.
vs. 2
Christianity, at this time, was known as "the
way."
Letter from Sanhedrin had authority over Jews as well as a letter from the high priest.
How could Paul have the authority over Jews that were outside the immediate jurisdiction of Jerusalem?
"The matter which Paul was coming to
Damascus for would have contravened local laws had there not existed a
special agreement with the Romans at the time.” F.F. Bruce, author of the book
"Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free" states:
"When the Jewish state
(that is Judah) won independence
under the Hasmoneans, it had powerful patrons in the Romans who let the countries surrounding Judea know this and demanded that Judea should be granted the rights and privileges of a sovereign state, including the right of extradition...The
history in I Maccabees 15:15-21 show this working:...'If therefore, any traitors have escaped from their country to you, hand them offer to Simon the High Priest to be punished by him according to the law of the
Jews.'
PAUL
Roman Citizenship:
God
undoubtedly equipped His Apostle to the Gentiles with a 'birthright'
privilege that could carry enough authority to preserve Paul's life and
at the same time help him fulfill his commission.
Mackington quotes Cicero to show the importance of Roman citizenship in his book, The Rome of Saint Paul:
"To bind a Roman citizen is a misdeed, to scourge him is a crime, to put him to death is almost a parricide." P. 1O2
HOW COULD CITIZENSHIP BE
OBTAINED?
A. Awarded for outstanding service.
Probably awarded Paul's father for service in the army.
B. It could be bought.
C. Could get it because born in a
Roman free city
* Some think that Tarsus was such a city and Paul acquired it this way.
Samuel Lumen explains the difference
between freeborn and citizenship in his book, Far Hence Unto The Gentiles:
"The
scattered Jews could hold citizenship in the particular city in which
they lived if the city was a free city or colony. Only 'freemen' of a 'free
city' could obtain this privilege, and the Judean Jews were not freemen
and hence not able to obtain the privilege. Paul however, being born
in the city of Tarsus was 'born free' since Tarsus had been made a free
city in 41 B.C. But
'freedmen' status did not confer the rights of a Roman citizenship upon
him. 'It only smoothed the
way to his acquisition of the higher distinction. The granting of this privilege
would compel his presence in Rome for the necessary
formalities.'...Roman citizenship and its freedom were obtained with
difficulty only through certain
conditions. Only certain
individuals could secure the treasured privilege, and they had to pay
large sums to do so. But a
freeman could 'obtain the distinction as a right by complying with the
formalities, without monetary consideration." ..."The difference between
being a Roman citizen and being born free is evidenced in the behavior of the officer at the
time of Paul's arrest in Jerusalem. When asked if he was the
Egyptian who had been creating a disturbance, Paul replied that he was
not, but was a Jew born in Tarsus.
The officer would be aware that Paul was a freeman because Paul
was born in Tarsus, and he ...'commanded him to be brought into the
castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might
know wherefore they cried so against him.' Paul immediately declared
himself to be not only born free,
but to be a Roman citizen as well. This status caused them to
release him from his bonds and treat him with courtesy." P. 13O
5. Paul was probably a few years
younger than Christ.
6.
Spoke four languages.
7. Instructed at feet of
Gamaliel.
8. Was an up and
coming Rabbinical student.
9.
Saul's misguided zeal led him to persecute the early
Church.
Acts 9:21; I Cor. 15:9; Gal. 1:13; Phil. 3:6; I Tim. 1:13
Note: Paul ever married? We don't know. Probably not. A member of the Sanhedrin? Doubtful. Had to be at least 30, married, and have children.
vs. 3
Speculation: Paul walked 7 days alone which
gave him plenty of time to think of Stephen and Gamaliel.
vs. 5
"It is hard for you to
kick against the pricks" means defy the established authority.
Barbara M. Bowen writes on page 66 in
her book, Strange Scriptures That Perplex The Western Mind:
"The
plowman in Bible Lands carries in his hand a long pole or goad, with a
sharp metal point or prick on one end of the pole and at the other there
is a flat piece of iron which is used to clean the plowshare. Quite often the young ox, probably
not well broken in, will kick, because he does not like his work. The
plowman then holds the pole or goad in such a position that when the ox kicks again, he
will kick against that prick of sharp point, and thus the animal will
learn it doesn't pay."
Paul was evidently under conviction and was trying to stifle the pricking of his conscience by increasing the intensity of his persecution.
vs. 6
A sudden change of
heart and mind. Totally
submissive.
vs. 7
"hearing" but not
seeing? See Acts 22:9. "But they heard . . ."
Key: Two meanings:
Point: They heard but did not understand.
Ananias (9:10-19)
vs. 13
Paul's fame had spread and Ananias was very
aware. Saints (haggious,
Greek) means holy.
vs. 15
Note: Chosen to bear name to Gentiles,
Kings, and Children of Israel.
Not an easy task, as we will see.
vs. 17
Seems that Paul received the Holy Spirit
before he was baptized.
vs. 22
Paul spent three
years in Arabia; possibly Petra.
Taught personally by the Eternal. Gal. 1:12-17.
vs. 23
Coincidentally: "Many days" -- I Kings. 2:38 shows
could represent three years (same phrase).
Trouble Comes (9:20-:26)
vs. 24
Approximately 38
A.D.
vs. 26
Paul spent l5 days in Jerusalem. Then, Paul
is out of the scene for about five years. Acts 22:18.
Point: Not suddenly made an apostle.
James the Lord's brother is introduced - Gal. 1:19
Peace in Churches (9:27-31)
vs. 27
Barnabas - a wealthy
Church member and merchant who was probably baptized along with original
3000.
vs. 30
Paul in
Tarsus
vs. 31
Because Paul was converted, Churches had
rest. Also because of what
was happening in Roman Empire -- during reign of Caligula.
"were multiplied" -- shows growth once again.
TIMETABLE
Conclusion: Explains "Churches had rest" in Acts 9:31 - period from about 37 A.D. to 41 A.D.
Gentiles Come In
(9:32-15:35)
Peter's Journeys (9:32-43)
Lydda
(9:32-35)
vs. 32
Peter's journeys - Lydda, Joppa
(Tabitha)
vs. 33
Two kinds of gifts of healing:
Joppa - Tabitha (9:36-43)
vs. 40
Peter, interestingly enough, put out the
doubters first.
Point: Is not a test of faith.
RAISED FROM DEAD
Index | Chapter 8 | Chapter 10