Acts 9:1–31

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Dean, School of Christian Studies, University of Mobile

PAUL: TOTAL COMMITMENT
Acts 9:1–31

Conversion (1–9)
Acts contains three accounts of Paul’s conversion (one by Luke and two by Paul himself in Acts 22:6–16 and 26:12–18), indicating its great importance. Next to Jesus, Paul was the most influential shaper of Christianity. Most interpreters place the conversion A.D. 34–37.

Saul (as he was known then) spearheaded a persecution aimed to destroy this new faith. Having received authority from the priest, he was headed to Damascus, Syria, to ferret out, arrest and bring back as prisoners any “who belonged to the Way (now called Christianity, e.g. Acts 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22).” The decrees of the priest were binding not only for Jews in Palestine but also for Jews outside the promised land. A large Jewish community lived there in Saul’s time.

His conversion occurred as he neared Damascus. A light from heaven “flashed” like lightning. But it was not lightning because it was brighter than the sun (Acts 26:13), and it showed not only around him but his companions as well. On the ground where he fell, he heard a voice, saying, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” In Acts 26:14, he said the voice spoke in “Hebrew,” i.e., Aramaic. In persecuting the church — Christ’s body, he persecuted the Head — Christ Himself. The speaker identified Himself as Jesus and told him to go on to Damascus, where he would be told what to do. Saul’s later accounts of the experience make it clear that “what you must do” refers to service, not forgiveness.

That his companions “heard” the voice is thought to conflict with the account in Acts 22:9, in which Saul said his companions “heard not the voice.” There is no contradiction. In the original language of the New Testament, the first reference suggests they heard the sound of the voice; the second, that they did not understand the words. Both are true.

His friends helped him on to Damascus, where for three days, he remained without sight, food or drink. But he was praying.

Baptism and Commission (10–19a)
By means of a vision, God sent His messenger Ananias to provide Christian counsel. Because he had a similar vision, Saul was expecting this man. Ananias’ hesitation shows how inconceivable Saul’s conversion was. God overruled Ananias’ objections, saying He intended Saul to bear His name to “Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel.”

On arriving, Ananias laid hands on Saul. He addressed Saul as “Brother Saul,” showing he had been placed in the faith family. He added that God sent him so Saul could see again and be filled with the Spirit. He immersed Saul.

First Preaching (19b–22)
Saul began preaching “Jesus.” Doubtless, he said Jesus was alive and asserted, “He is the Son of God.” He raised a stir by proving to Jewish audiences that “Jesus is the Christ.”

Saul’s visit to Arabia (Gal. 1:15–18) happened somewhere between verses 22 and 23. Luke did not record it but left room for it (“many days”).

Early Opposition (23–31)
The first conspiracy against Saul’s life occurred in Damascus after he returned from Arabia (the “many days” amounted to three years; see Gal. 1:15–18; cf. 2 Cor. 11:32). Many Jews plotted to kill him and set guards at all the gates of the city. But disciples let him down outside through a window in the wall.

The second occurred in Jerusalem. This was Saul’s first visit to Jerusalem after his conversion. Most of the believers were afraid of Saul, but Barnabas befriended him and convinced the apostles he was authentic.
As Jews plotted to kill him, he went to his hometown, Tarsus.

Acts 9:31 is a summary. “So” indicates the peace and growth of the church were results of the conversion of the persecutor, Saul.