v.1-5
Background: (BKC) If the doctrine propagated by Stephen was correct, then the Law was in jeopardy. So Saul, zealous as he was, went on persecuting the church (cf. Gal. 1:13; Phil. 3:6).
Ob and In:
1. The way Saul treated the Lord's disciples: Breathing out threats to murderer them, bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem. v.1-2
(BKC) The adverb still looks back to 8:3. While the gospel was reaching farther outside of Jerusalem, Saul was continuing his relentless persecution of the church.
What Jesus called this action: Persecuting me x2 v.4,5
2. Paul felt that he was so right and serving God. Therefore, he extended his activity from Jerusalem to Damascus. Suddenly he was stopped by God.
v. 3 As he was going along, approaching Damascus, suddenly...
5 So he said, “Who are you, Lord?”
(EBC) Of more significance is the fact that Saul understood the voice to be a message from God himself...it always connoted a rebuke or a word of instruction from God. Therefore when the voice went on to ask the question “Why do you persecute me?” Saul was without doubt thoroughly confused. He was not persecuting God! Rather, he was defending God and his laws!
Reflection: Am I like Paul that I felt I was so right and keep going my way until the Lord gave me the wake up call? Suddenly my life has to have change?
3. The light made him humble
v.3b suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him,
The light from heaven flashing was not a normal phenomenon. Paul was shocked that a sign from heaven will come to him. He felt the need to be humble and fell to the ground. He needed to listen to God not doing what he thought was so right.
Reflection: What is the thing I thought was so right, but not?
4. In the Gospel, the voice came from heaven was the Father. Now, it was Jesus' This is the first time He spoke since Ascension. It must be something really important.
v.5b “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting!
Persecuting the Lord's disciples=persecuting Jesus.
(BKC) Luke when he wrote that the Lord continues His work on earth in the church (1:1). Also Ananias’ lie to Peter was a lie to the Holy Spirit (5:3). Luke, with Paul, saw Christ and the church as the Head and its body.
Reflection: Jesus spoke and acted for us in heaven with authority. Whom shall I fear? On the other hand, do I respect the church? Or do I treat the church?
v.6-9
Ob and In:
1. The fear of Paul must be tremendous, because even his companion they were speechless when they heard the voice but saw no one v.7
NET That is, unable to speak because of fear or amazement. See BDAG 335 s.v. ἐνεός.
Paul's shock was shown in (1) He must have closed his eye when he saw the light from heaven. That's why he did not realize he became blind until he stood up in v.8. (2) his fasting of food and drink for 3 days v.9
NET The fasting might indicate an initial realization of Luke 5:33–39. Fasting was usually accompanied by reflective thought.
Luke 5:33 他們說：“約翰的門徒屢次禁食祈禱，法利賽人的門徒也是這樣；惟獨你的門徒又吃又喝。”34 耶穌對他們說：“新郎和陪伴之人同在的時候，豈能叫陪伴之人禁食呢？35 但日子將到，新郎要離開他們，那日他們就要禁食了。
When J was resurrected and when they realized that they would fast and reflect on what they had done wrong (just like Paul did now).
Reflection: God is fearful and I need to have proper fear of Him. Fear God and do not sin. Do not yield into temptation. Do His ministry seriously.
2. Jesus' appearance was more than to shock Paul, nor his companion. He got 2 commands for Paul: stand up enter the city. Then he would be told what to do.
3. Repeated word: although his eyes were open, he could see nothing v.8, Leading him by the hand, his companions brought him into Damascus. 9 For three days he could not see v.8b-9a.
Paul must be shocked to hear from J as well as he himself became blind. He would not have known that this is only temporarily. He must be humble when he became blind, because he relied on others to lead him by the hand. A promising religious leader from Jerusalem, who planned to put Jesus' disciples to prisoner, now became a person who relied on others.
NET It allowed some time for Saul (Paul) to reflect on what had happened without distractions.
BKC there is a sharp contrast between Saul in Acts 9:1 and 8. One moment he was storming up the road, determined to capture and imprison Christians. Soon thereafter he was led like a child by the hand into Damascus. God’s grace is often displayed in great powerful acts and in apparent catastrophes.
Reflection: God humbled Paul by making him blind. May I be humble in front of God without the necessity of making me blind.
v.10-20
Ob and In:
1. How Ananias perceived Paul: this man v.13, how much harm he has done...v.13, he has authority...to imprison v.14, brother Saul v.17.
The change took place when God took A that P was His chosen instrument and then A obeyed God.
(BKC) Brother Saul—what words of encouragement these must have been to Saul!...Ananias’ apprehension of Saul was turned to love for Saul because of the Lord’s directive.
Reflection: Am I willing to change my own will to a person because of the Lord? If God has received a person, who am I to reject them? Who is the one that I rejected and I should chang myself?
But what happened to Paul that God could assured A that his change is correct?
2. The timing of the event:
11 Then the Lord told him, “Get up and go to the street called ‘Straight,’ and at Judas’ house look for a man from Tarsus named Saul. For he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and place his hands on him so that he may see again.”
God said to Ananias while Paul was praying (v.11 the verb for pray is in present tense). At that time Paul has seen a vision (see in v.12 in aorist).
v.17 “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came here, has sent (perfect, indicative) me so that you may see (subi) again and be filled (passive subj)with the Holy Spirit.”
Summary:
After Paul reflected for 3 days, he saw a vision, then he prayed, (Paul was saved at this time)
then when A came he was filled with the HS and something visibly happened. The scales fell from his eyes. Both men, A and P, could be witness of the filling of the HS of Paul. (Paul was filled by the HS after his conversion and witnessed by A)
Then he got baptized. (followed his conversion)
Then he proclaimed J in the synagogues. (BKC-After only a few days with the Christians in Damascus Saul began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God).
Reflection: Right after his conversion he was baptized and proclaimed in the synagogues. Paul started to fulfill what the Lord has planned for him right the way. Am I willing to follow the plan of God on me?
Does the fellowship with other Christians in Damascus encouraged him? Is my fellowship with others encouraging to them? Has other b/s's fellowship encouraged me?
3. The title for believers
a disciple...named Ananias v.10 the disciples in Damascus 19
BDAG one who is rather constantly associated with someone who has a pedagogical reputation or a particular set of views, disciple, adherent...Even after Jesus’ resurrection those who followed him were called μ
your saints 13
BDAG believers, loyal followers, saints of Christians as consecrated to God
who call on your name 14
BDAG to call upon deity for any purpose
In other words, Jesus is the deity in our mind and that is why we will call upon Him
my chosen instrument to carry my name before... 15
PNTC the choice is for a special role or mission that not all disciples share
brother 17
PNTC This simple declaration by Ananias must have confirmed for Saul the authenticity of his encounter with the glorified Christ. His welcome as brother Saul signified his acceptance into the fellowship of Christians. Ananias explains that the laying on of hands is for healing (‘so that you may see again’; cf. Lk. 5:13; 13:13; Acts 4:30; 5:12) and for the bestowal of the Spirit (‘and be filled with the Holy Spirit’; cf. Acts 8:17–19; 19:6)...this means no more than that he is a Christian (2:33, 38; etc.)
Summary: This group of people considered Jesus as God and thus they called upon His name in prayer. Their close association with Jesus did not end even after His death and resurrection. They were separated and consecrated to God through Jesus. Some of them will be chosen to do special ministry for the Lord and between them they have the relationship of a family.
Reflection: How do we do as a group? Do we exhibit the confession, the close association with Jesus and with God? This is a clear witness that Jesus is resurrected because people are still willing to follow Him after His death and pray to Him. We do not pray to a death person, but a living God.
Do we follow Jesus in doing what He has chosen for us to do? Do we treat each other like family and accept each other in fellowship?
v.21-25
Ob and In:
1. 2 "escalators" going up together:
A. the growth of the spiritual life of Paul
It was amazing that how fast Paul has growth in his sp life. From an opponent of Jesus to a believer, to fellowship with the believers to proclaiming Jesus is the Son of God. The title Son of God was what Jesus had preached about but the Jews did not accept.
This man is the Son of God v.20 Paul openly confessed his faith and became an evangelist.
became more and more capable...and was causing consternation among the Jews...by proving that Jesus is the Christ v.22 Paul became an apologetic speaker and his capacity grew.
the Jews plotted together to kill him v.23 they could kill him 24 To the degree that his opponents needed to take him down like what they did to Jesus and Stephen
his disciples 25 His influence grew and someone wanted to follow him to follow Christ.
Reflection: Although not everyone would and could grow as fast as Paul, but a real believers grow. The fellowship in Damascus, the acceptance from Ananias might play a role. But more importantly, the boldness of Paul to openly confessed his faith and to carry out Jesus' mission to him was the important and continuous force behind his growth. This kind of grow is contagious and therefore, in his early Christian life he already had disciples to follow him.
B. the growth of opposition from the Jews
the Jews who heard him were first amazed v.21, and then hated him to death 23. They plotted together...and then put a lot of effort in watching the city gates day and night so that they could kill him v.24.
Reflection: What Paul has confessed, "Jesus is the Son of God" and "Jesus is the Christ," were the 2 key points of Jesus' ministry and opposed strongest among the Jews. Am I willing to take up this challenge as Paul to preach a hated message?
v.26-31
Ob and In:
1. The relationship between fellowship and the ministry of Paul.
Repeated words
A. boldly
In Damascus, Paul was was with the disciples v.19, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus. That event was repeated by Barnabas in 9:27 as spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.
Now in Jerusalem, after Paul associate with the disciples v.28a, he speaking out boldly again v.28b.
B. Paul attempted to associate with the disciples v.26, Barnabas took Saul, brought him to the apostles v.27, so he was staying with them, associating openly with them v.28
To Paul, who was someone very capable to preach the Gospel and demonstrated that in Damascus, he still looked for the association of other disciples when he came to Jerusalem. On the other hand, people's reluctant to accept him was understanding. How could this be solved? Barnabas. But noted, God did not prepare Barnabas like He prepared Ananias in the earlier passage of this chapter. Barnabas took up this job by himself. He believed in Paul while others did not. That is a gift from God.
2. However Barnabas was not without his stand in his theology.
(BKC) He whose name means “Son of Encouragement” (4:36) proved to be that for Saul. Barnabas is seen in Acts on four other occasions. (a) 11:22–24; (b) 11:30; 12:25; (c) 13:1–2, 50; 14:12; (d) 15:2, 12, 22, 25, 37
15: 2 When Paul and Barnabas had a major argument and debate with them, the church appointed Paul and Barnabas and some others from among them to go up to meet with the apostles and elders in Jerusalem about this point of disagreement.
Summary and reflection: Paul was a man used heavily by God, but his ministry was closely tied to his fellowship. However, his fellowship with others was not without hindered in the beginning. Barnabas saw the authentic faith of Paul that other people did not. God prepared him through giving him the gift. Barnabas knew the truth and willing to stand for the truth. He accepted Paul, surely, was due to the truth.
The kind of fellowship Barnabas provided for Paul was probably the reason for him to continue to witness for Christ boldly. They were brothers in truth.
What did God want me to see in b/s? Barnabas heard the testimony of Paul, how he had seen the Lord and how the Lord had spoken to him. Do I hear that from the b/s I had doubt with? For those I am sure they and I share the same truth, do we witness boldly for Christ?
Others heard Paul's testimony, but did not believe. Why? (1) They might think that Paul was lying about the hearing and seeing of the Lord. And Paul was just speaking boldly for Christ for other reason... That is the difficult part of accepting someone as fellow Christians. Some times, we just cannot tell. Outward behavior could be fake. Testimony could be a lie. Bible did not speak a lot about the "failure" of this group of Christians. Will I be one of them? Will God be angry with me if I am one of them (2) Were they too caught up by their previous experience with Paul? What previous experience I had with b/s that still hinder me to fellowship with them after they became Christians?
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