Acts, Chapter 9 -The Conversion of Saul

Outbless Weekly

Acts, Chapter 9 - The Conversion of Saul

9 Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

- Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against disciples of the Lord

o wow he's still acting evil towards God's people

o Still breathing threats and murder (with every breath he takes)

- He went to the high priest. and ask for letters from him the synagogues at Damascus so that if he had found any belonging to the Way, both men and women

o he might bring them bound to Jerusalem (arrested and on their way to jail or even onto their death sentence like Stephen

3 As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; 4 and 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?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, 6 but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.” 7 The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

- Saul was at the height of his persecution of Christians

- And he was traveling to go to the high priest to gain authority to pursue Christians

- BAM; it happened that he was approaching Damascus

o Damascus means the beginning of salvation; full turn in the pattern of salvation; the beginning / full turn of being drawn out / Synchronicity.

§ A full turn means the same as repent (it is a U turn)

- and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him

o when he light from heaven flashes around you it is much brighter and more white than you can imagine

o Side note: God is light and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5)

- And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him

o God who is light came down and was speaking with Saul!

o Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?

o notice that Jesus says Saul's name twice (there is no doubt He is speaking to Saul)

o imagine being knocked over by brilliant white light and then Jesus talking !!!

- Now let's look at Saul's response to Jesus question:

o who are you Lord?

§ Notice so I already used the word Lord (because of the brilliant entrance)

- now let's look at Jesus response to Saul

o I am Jesus whom you are persecuting

§ WOW what a revelation (the very person who he is persecuting is speaking with him and RutRo He is the Lord !

o But get up and enter the city and it will be told to you what you must do

Intro to Outbless Weekly

Thanks for listening to Outbless.com